Entering the 2024 NFL Draft, the Indianapolis Colts have three pressing needs that they need to shore up. The Colts are trying to keep up with the Houston Texans in their division and compete with the rest of the AFC. The Texans won the AFC South last season and have continued to get better this offseason. The BetMGM betting odds have the Texans and the Jacksonville Jaguars as better odds to win the division over the Colts. Therefore with free agency dried up, the NFL Draft is the next big splash for the Colts to bolster their team.
The Biggest Needs for the Colts in the NFL Draft
Cornerback/Safety
The most obvious need the Colts have on their roster is getting help in their secondary. To Chris Ballard’s credit, he was able to retain all of his key starters which included veteran cornerback Kenny Moore II and safety Julian Blackmon. Nonetheless, there is still a missing link. The inexperience and lack of depth in the secondary were the glaring problems for the Colts last season. However, with top players in free agency gone, it looks like the Colts will need to rely on the draft in order to find that missing link. The Colts did well in last year’s draft picking cornerbacks. They selected JuJu Brents and Jaylon Jones. Both of which earned starts as rookies and played better than expected. One can expect that Chris Ballard to have the same approach and get a couple of cornerbacks and safeties to shore up this secondary.
Wide Receiver
The Colts have a solid receiver group, but there is still one or two playmakers missing. Outside of Michael Pittman Jr., their next outside receiver is Alec Pierce. While Pierce had a promising rookie season, his second year was a big disappointment. In 2023, he started 16 games and finished with 32 receptions for 514 yards and two touchdowns. This is not to say that Pierce is a bust, but it does bring to light the need for a compliment to Pittman Jr. This is where the NFL Draft comes into play for the Colts. They don’t necessarily need to pick a receiver early in the draft, but the need is there for the Colts to get someone to play on the outside.
Aside from wide receivers, the Colts would also be wise to look at a top-rated tight end. There have been several mock NFL Drafts that had the Colts selecting Georgia tight end, Brock Bowers. Considered the number one tight end in the draft, Bowers would be an immediate contributor to this offense. This is not to say that the tight ends currently on the roster are not good, but rather it emphasizes the fact that in order to compete with the Texans and the other powerhouses in the AFC, the Colts need explosive-playmaking receivers. Bowers is just that.
Edge Rusher
Lastly, the Colts need to consider an edge rusher as a priority in this NFL Draft. On the defensive line, the best playmakers are in the middle. Grover Stewart and DeForest Buckner lead the middle of the line and have been the most consistent line defenders and disruptors for the last several years. The issue right now is who leads the outside of the line. Right now, the Colts have several contributors, but they don’t have a true pass rusher. This type of playmaker would demand double teams and wreak havoc on opposing offensive lines.
Games are won and lost at the line of scrimmage. The best way to stop the current AFC powerhouses led by Patrick Mahomes, Joe Burrow, and Josh Allen is a lethal pass rush. Right now, the Colts do not have that, but with the NFL Draft, they have an opportunity to shore up that need.
Main Photo: [Jenna Watson/IndyStar] – USA Today Sports
