The 2024 NFL Draft is very strong at the top of the draft board. Arguably, this may be the deepest group at the top of the draft in a few years. That includes the wide receiver position, obviously. Meanwhile, spots like cornerback and tight end present a good level of substance, to boot. That should be music to the ears of a team like the Indianapolis Colts. Sitting at 15th overall in the first round, the Colts truly have a good chance of walking out of round one with a top skill player from one of those three positions.
Cornerback is a clear need for this team entering the selections. Could they have the opportunity to make the first cornerback selection of the draft? On the other hand, will the board play out perfectly for Indianapolis, allowing a top offensive weapon or two to fall directly into their lap?
Assuming the Colts do go with one of those three skill positions in round one, which option is most beneficial to their current roster? Plus, will Indianapolis look to snipe some other teams just behind them in the draft order? Let’s kick it off.
Which Area Could Colts Most Likely Attack?
Of the three positions we mentioned at the top, cornerback is probably the biggest need for the Indianapolis Colts right now. If they are just looking to fill that need in round one, it makes a lot of sense looking at the depth chart. Outside of solid nickel cornerback Kenny Moore II, Indianapolis is filled with younger cornerbacks. Most of the young names were more of a low investment, once they were brought into the Colts, so to speak. JuJu Brents, Dallis Flowers, Jaylon Jones, Darrell Baker Jr. and Ameer Speed make up the rest of the cornerback room.
The production just has to be better in that spot. Offensive passing attacks had very little to worry about when throwing against this cornerback room last year. As a result, Indianapolis was largely unable to make necessary, key stops in tight games. The Colts need a playmaker and a leader, if they are going to address cornerback.
If the Colts wait to select a cornerback, they may just go with the best available option on the draft board. Depending on how high other teams want to select him, Georgia tight end Brock Bowers may slip right into the lap of Indianapolis. Moreover, another wide receiver option alongside Michael Pittman Jr. would not hurt, either. Could the Colts be the one to scoop up LSU’s Brian Thomas Jr.?
Cornerback Position Filled With Varied Flavors
Given that cornerback is arguably the biggest need of the Colts, Indianapolis is a team that should be encouraged by the different flavors to choose from. You have guys who stick out more as smart and instinctive players. You have guys who are just flat-out excellent athletes and can win in transition. Additionally, there are guys in this year’s cornerback class who can win off of physicality.
It has become difficult to pinpoint when the first cornerback could come off the board. Could it be at eight overall to the Atlanta Falcons? Certainly. But at the same time, there may be no cornerback selections until the Colts come up at 15th overall. If so, Indianapolis would likely be grinning from ear to ear. The Colts would also be thrilled with the potential stylistic fits of the top two cornerback options, to boot.
Toledo’s Quinyon Mitchell and Alabama’s Terrion Arnold are natural fits for Indianapolis for a variety of reasons. Both players can erase opposing pass catchers at the line of scrimmage. Each defender has displayed an ability to transition and adjust smoothly in space. Finally, the pair of Mitchell and Arnold can be reliable on an island in man coverage, especially Mitchell.
How Indianapolis Could Stop The Fall Of Top Weapons
If the Colts opt to go with a skill player from the offensive side of the ball, either of the aforementioned Bowers or Thomas Jr. could be tantalizing options to take a swing on. Bowers is a tight end who is going to be relied more on his receiving game, of course. Overall, the Georgia product is unbelievably quick for his size, has smooth, soft hands and gains extra yards in tight areas. Bowers is seen as a top ten player in the class as a whole. Finding the right landing spot for him is challenging, though.
As for Thomas Jr. his size and quickness would not be too bad of a complement to someone like Pittman Jr. Add in the shifty Josh Downs working from the slot, and Indianapolis could begin to put some real pressure on opposing defenses. Thomas Jr. has a wide range in which he could be drafted. But for a young quarterback like Anthony Richardson, getting him another weapon with high potential would not be the worst piece of business the Colts could do. Taking Bowers or Thomas Jr. could also tremendously disappoint teams right behind them in the draft order.
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