The Indianapolis Colts completed their 2023 NFL Draft, where they hope to have locked in their next franchise quarterback in Anthony Richardson. As for the rest of their draft, they took swings at every position of need on their roster.
For the fans, this is all you can ask from a GM to address the team’s remaining weaknesses. Whether the prospects succeed or not is a different story, and there are many factors that go into a player’s success or failure.
The Colts even signed Emil Ekiyor Jr., a local kid who played at Cathedral High School, in undrafted free agency to compete at right guard. His signing and the choices of Josh Downs and Adetomiwa Adebawore are a bit surprising, considering these prospects don’t check Chris Ballard’s measurables box. But maybe this is a sign of change.
Here are the grades for every single draft selection by the Indianapolis Colts.
Related: 2023 NFL Draft tracker: Grading each pick with live updates and pick-by-pick analysis
Anthony Richardson, quarterback, Florida – 4th overall
Arguably the most divisive pick from the Colts in this draft. Despite it being well documented that Richardson got better over the course of his year as the starter at Florida. Many fans are still clinging to his completion percentage, lack of starting experience, and the possibility of him being a bust.
While the “bust” label can be attached to any drafted player in time, there is a lot to like about Richardson. He showed he is quick to process what the defense shows him and not make the same mistake twice. There will be growing pains from the rookie, but the Colts have a great coaching staff to help him reach his potential.
- Anthony Richardson draft grade: A-
Julius Brents, cornerback, Kansas State – 38th overall
A local kid who attended Warren Central High School, dreamed of playing for the Colts, and whose favorite player was Bob Sanders, gets to live out his childhood dream. Brents is the stereotypical Gus Bradley cornerback. A player who is tall for the position, 6-foot-3, with long arms, and excels in zone coverage. Brents has said he likes the nickname of JuJu Island too.
Obviously, he’s going to need some refinement in his coverage skills, but it’s not crazy to think that Brents could be a Week 1 starter for the Colts. After all, Stephon Gilmore was traded to Dallas, and Kenny Moore is much better in the slot. At this point, Isaiah Rodgers is the starter at one of the cornerback positions. There will surely be competition between Moore, Brents, Dallis Flowers, and fellow rookies Darius Rush and Jaylon Jones for the other starting cornerback position.
- Julius Brents draft grade: B
Related: 8 biggest winners from 2023 NFL Draft: Eagles reload, Texans take a leap
Josh Downs, wide receiver, North Carolina – 79th overall
Josh Downs is a player we highlighted in the possible wide receiver selection for the Colts. This is another prospect that is a possible indication of Ballard changing his ways a bit. Downs is listed at 5-foot-9, 171 pounds, and profiles as an NFL slot receiver. He’s drawn comparisons to Kadarius Toney, with some even suggesting Downs could be the next T.Y. Hilton in a way.
Considering the Colts have two big outside receivers in Michael Pittman Jr and Alec Pierce, it makes sense that they targeted a prospect who excels in the slot. Now, Downs will be competing with free agent signing Isaiah McKenzie for reps in the slot. It’s possible and wouldn’t be surprising if Downs is brought along slowly in his first few seasons.
- Josh Downs draft grade: B+
Related: NFL offense rankings: Reviews and outlook following 2023 NFL Draft
Blake Freeland, offensive tackle, BYU – 106th overall
This is an excellent pick for the Colts, even if they had a more pressing need at right guard. Regardless, Freeland has drawn comparisons to Charlie Heck and Kolton Miller.
Freeland was projected to go in the third round. Instead, he ended up going in the fourth. An explanation for why he fell might be because he’s viewed as a project. While Ballard wants desired measurables at positions, and Freeland certainly checks that box (6-foot-8), his height has hampered his ability to play the tackle position at times. He has experience playing both left and right tackle, which is desirable, but he needs NFL coaching to refine his skills and take advantage of his natural gifts.
- Blake Freeland draft grade: A-
Related: 2023 NFL Draft: 5 teams that improved the most, including the Eagles
Adetomiwa Adebawore, DL, Northwestern – 110th overall
Adetomiwa Adebawore (pronounced add-E-TOMMY-wah add-E-BAR-eh) might just end up being the speed rusher that Colts’ defensive line needs. Last season, the team relied on Yannick Ngakoue to provide a consistent speed rush. Ngakoue showed that he can provide that but nothing else and is better suited as a rotational/pass-rushing specialist.
The Colts bolstered their defensive line room with the signing of Samson Ebukam. Adebawore is another player that fell to the Colts in the fourth round, despite being projected to go on Day 2 in the second or third round. He will most likely see action in his rookie year as just a pass-rushing specialist where he can take full advantage of his 4.49 40-yard dash time. His time is faster than fellow rookie Brents’.
- Adetomiwa Adebawore draft grade: B
Related: 5 biggest losers from the 2023 NFL Draft: Detroit Lions botch Round 1, 49ers’ bad decisions
Darius Rush, cornerback, South Carolina – 138th overall
The Colts could potentially have a cornerback issue on their hands after this season. Both the aforementioned Moore and Rodgers’ contracts are up. As previously mentioned, Rush will be competing with Brents and the other cornerbacks to be the starter opposite of Rodgers.
Rush is another stereotypical cornerback, listed at 6-foot-2, 198 pounds, and clocking in with a 4.36 40-yard dash time. He’s a player who could evoke memories of Rodgers. Both players have great speed and were projects coming into the NFL. If Rush follows a similar career path as Rodgers, this will be another win in Ballard’s draft history.
- Darius Rush draft grade: C+
Related: 2023 NFL power rankings: Jets, Steelers rise and Cardinals, Patriots fall after 2023 NFL Draft
Daniel Scott, safety, California – 158th overall
Daniel Scott is the second out of four fifth-round selections for the Colts. Scott is the oldest player they drafted, at 25 years old. This could hurt him in terms of how much development there is left. But he does come with six years of collegiate experience, and this could help him see the field a little bit sooner than some of his fellow rookies.
Scott will be a rotational safety and most likely get most of his snaps on special teams. The question of how much upside remains hurts his grade.
- Daniel Scott draft grade: C+
Related: 2023 undrafted NFL free agent tracker: Team-by-team signings and more
Will Mallory, tight end, Miami (FL) – 162nd overall
Will Mallory was one of the tight ends that we previewed in the possible selections for the Colts. This pick might be the most curious selection from Ballard. Not so much to do with Mallory. He’s a classic receiving-only tight end. There isn’t much thought that he could ever offer anything in the blocking department.
The Colts have a couple of one-dimensional tight ends on the roster, and only Kylen Granson shows that he could be a complete tight end. It’s this aspect that makes Mallory’s selection a curious one. Mallory is the grandson of former IU football coach Bill Mallory and could really flourish in this Colts’ offense.
- Will Mallory draft grade: B+
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Evan Hull, running back, Northwestern – 176th overall
The last fifth-round selection of the Colts, Evan Hull plays a position that has been increasingly devalued in the NFL. Now he goes to a team with workhorse Jonathan Taylor as the starter. Not only that but Zack Moss and Deon Jackson are ahead of him on the depth chart. Both of those guys have already secured their roles in the backfield rotation. Regardless, Hull will get on the field due to his pass-catching abilities. But considering he’s a liability in pass protection and has a plodding running style, it will be hard for him to see the field during any meaningful action.
- Evan Hull draft grade: C
Related: 2024 NFL mock draft: Cardinals, Rams take Caleb Williams, Drake Maye
Titus Leo, linebacker, Wagner – 211th overall
Titus Leo will be the latest project for the Colts’ coaching staff. Leo is a “traits” player, which makes his selection not at all surprising. What is surprising is that he only had 13 sacks while at Wagner. If the coaching staff is able to develop Leo’s traits he could be a rotational player. But the history of traits-based defensive end players developing for the Colts under the Ballard regime has not been good.
- Titus Leo draft grade: C+
Jaylon Jones, cornerback, Texas A&M – 221st overall
There has been a lot of talk about rookie cornerbacks challenging for the starting spot with the Colts. Jaylon Jones could be the dark horse cornerback to win the job. He was projected to be a fourth-round selection who fell all the way to the seventh round. He is again another typical Gus Bradley type of cornerback.
Listed at 6-foot-2, 200 pounds, and clocked in with a 4.57 40-yard dash time, the biggest concern for him is his technique is undisciplined and lackadaisical. Jones profiles best in a Cover-2 or Cover-3 system, so if Bradley can clean up Jones’ technique, this could be a beautiful gem.
- Jaylon Jones draft grade: A-
Jake Witt, offensive tackle, Northern Michigan – 236th overall
The last pick of the Colts’ draft went to offensive tackle Jake Witt. He easily takes top honors as the biggest project for this coaching staff. Witt has only played tackle for one full season. During his college days, he played basketball at Michigan Tech, tight end at Northern Michigan before shifting to offensive tackle there. He is another traits-based player with desirable size at 6-foot-7. It’s possible he could develop into an NFL swing tackle.
- Jake Witt draft grade: C+