Hey there Colts fans! Here are my thoughts on the Colts this month, which basically covers some observations made from the recent minicamp and the 2024 draft choices from late in April.

THE DRAFT: Most services have listed the Colts as having one of the better drafts, particularly citing the top two draft picks as being values that exceeded their draft positions and that fit team needs. Top pick DELaiatu Latu was the first defender selected in the draft at #15 overall and may be the most pro-ready defender in the draft class, but medical concerns had him projecting as late as the high second round. Latu dominated college football for two seasons after transferring and coming back from a medical retirement. He led the FBS in tackles for loss in 2022-23, and swept the Hendricks (top defensive end), Lombardi (top defensive lineman) and Morris (Pac 12 defender) awards last season. He looks to be an instant plug-and-play impact defender, at least in situational use as a pass rusher and could post solid fantasy numbers for that reason even as a rookie. My only demerit for the pick is that there were other defenders that demanded greater draft capital and they could have dropped a few slots and still got him. Also, despite their need for an impact rusher, they did set a team record for sacks last year by scheming it up and they had a bigger need at corner with all the top instant-starter corners (in particular, Quinyon Mitchell) still remaining on the board. WR Adonai Mitchell was an absolute steal as he was universally expected to go in round one, and the Colts shuffled back a bit and still nabbed him. He instantly becomes the fastest and one of the most athletic receivers on the roster, and a prime threat to take downfield advantage of the big arm of QB Anthony Richardson. Some alleged attitude concerns leaked after the draft to excuse his slide, but GM Chris Ballard famously had a profanity-laden tirade to refute that openly and defend the kid. I suspect he will start across from WR Michael Pittman immediately with WR Josh Downs manning the slot and recent top pick WR Alec Pierce being relegated to a backup role. Few things can be more explosively productive than a diva receiver with a big chip on his shoulder!

There were definitely some kudos in the second and third days of the draft as the team made nearly every pick to add speed and smarts and versatility. The electric WR Anthony Gould (5^th round) can play slot, but likely will start by relieving Downs of his return duty; Gould was the top punt returner in college football last season, and his particular elusiveness skills may translate well to the new kickoff rules. The Colts moved up a few slots to take Pitt's OT Matt Goncalves in round three, who is a mauler with four years of starting experience at both tackle spots but who may be best fit as a pro guard. He is smart and game ready and I love him as a player, but to move up in round 3 for a guy that was graded no higher than round 4 seems like a questionable move. Their 4^th rounder though was a great selection as Wisconsin's OL Tanor Bortolini has starting experience all across the line (mostly on the interior, primarily at center) and a great deal of smarts and versatility - and a round 3 draft grade by most. He broke Jason Kelce's combine records for speed and agility by an interior lineman, if that tells you anything about his historic athleticism. Both of these two will give much needed depth and versatility along the line and each could be quality NFL starters down the road when the veterans move on. Their last four picks were all guys with hybrid skills and experience covering all three levels of the defense, primarily the back end with as many as three of those four projecting into the secondary. Aside from not nabbing a starting cornerback, they hit every team need right on the money.

As of now, all but Adonai Mitchell are signed and under contract, and they have signed a gaggle of undrafted free agents as well. The Colts are traditionally among the best at finding those gems after the draft and always have at least one make the roster, often contributing significantly. None of these guys this year really stand out to me as interesting right now, but we will see where repetitions and possibly even injury-based opportunities lead the UDFA rookies later in training camp.

ROOKIE MINICAMP: This took place on the weekend of May 10-12, with rookies and free agents only. Latu looked explosive and displayed his trademark high-motor throughout the weekend, validating the Colts' selection. He was seen putting in extra reps and sprints just to stay ahead of everyone else and improve. He will benefit from the enhanced competition in OTAs because right now he is a man among boys at times. Similarly, Mitchell looked like a natural pass-catcher and an athletic specimen that can outrun people and go get balls in traffic. His size/speed combo is something the team has been missing, and looks like a real asset for Richardson once they get together on the field. He showed good hands and adjustments, and looked unstoppable against the other rookies. I also like that he has been putting in extra work on and off the field, and that he has Reggie Wayne in his ear all the time.

OFFSEASON: The first looks at the full roster will be this week as the first of two sets of OTAs will take place May 21-23 and then again May 29-31 before the mandatory minicamp on June 4-6. I am sure that Mitchell will be signed well before then and we will get to see our first looks at the entire offense and where the rookies will fit in across the depth chart.

THE ROSTER: Ballard did not pursue a lot of big-name free agents, aside from making a run at pass rusher Danielle Hunter, and they return 80% of their final roster from 2023, among the highest numbers in the league. The fact that they were one yard away from a playoff berth without their starting quarterback all season and their stud runner for half of it, this shows the confidence that the organization has in this roster. But they did need to get more explosive on offense and faster and better on defense (especially the secondary). Just getting Richardson and RB Jonathan Taylor back healthy will be huge for the explosiveness part, and then adding Mitchell and Gould to the receiving room and the special teams make a nice dent also. The line was solid last year but lacking in depth and starting to age, so the versatile additions in the draft helped address that and add to the protection of their greatest two assets. I suspected they might draft or sign a backup runner to replace Zack Moss, but they clearly have confidence in RB Trey Sermon at this time to back up Taylor. I thought they might use a late round pick on Braelon Allen (who replaced Taylor at Wisconsin) to make an all-Badger backfield, but they did not. On the other side, they have amassed a lot of depth in the front four and the pass rush, but might need some depth at linebacker yet for injury insurance. They are still a fair way under the salary cap, so maybe some mid-range veterans could be a plus here if a young guy doesn't step up. And with the youth in the secondary I also would not be surprised for them to make a late run at some of the veteran defensive backs still on the market to short up the back of the defense.

That is all for this month from the Crossroads of America. I will be back last month to recap the happenings from OTAs and minicamp. Until then folks... enjoy your summer!

End.