The Indianapolis Colts had a successful draft class, addressing key needs and potentially finding some steals in the process. They found a much-needed edge rusher in Laiatu Latu and may have landed a steal in wide receiver Adonai Mitchell in the second round. The Colts also added depth along the offensive line with the selection of Matt Goncalves in the third round. Anthony Gould, a wide receiver taken in the fifth round, has the potential to be a steal as well. Overall, if rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson can stay healthy and continue to develop, the additions from this draft class could help push the Colts into playoff contention.
The favorite pick of the draft for the Colts was Adonai Mitchell, a dynamic wide receiver out of Texas chosen 52nd overall. Mitchell was projected by many to be a first-round talent and fell into the Colts’ lap. He brings a dynamic presence to the receiving corps and should complement Michael Pittman Jr. well. This pick adds valuable depth to the wide receiver position and creates competition among the young players.
On the flip side, the least favorite pick for the Colts was Tanor Bortolini, a center out of Wisconsin taken 117th overall. While Bortolini is a talented athlete, he lacks the strength needed to be a reliable NFL offensive lineman at this time. He will need to significantly improve his strength without sacrificing speed in order to become a starter. Going up against tough competition in practice will help Bortolini develop into a stronger player.
Overall, the Colts made the following draft picks:
– Round 1, Pick 15: Laiatu Latu, Edge, UCLA
– Round 2, Pick 52: Adonai Mitchell, WR, Texas
– Round 3, Pick 79: Matt Goncalves, OT, Pittsburgh
– Round 4, Pick 117: Tanor Bortolini, C, Wisconsin
– Round 5, Pick 142: Anthony Gould, WR, Oregon State
– Round 5, Pick 151: Jaylon Carlies, S, Missouri
– Round 5, Pick 164: Jaylin Simpson, S, Auburn
– Round 6, Pick 201: Micah Abraham, CB, Marshall
– Round 7, Pick 234: Jonah Laulu, DT, Oklahoma
This draft class has the potential to make a significant impact for the Colts, providing both immediate contributions and future development opportunities for the team.