Colts' Top 2024 NFL Draft Targets (2024)

The Indianapolis Colts fell just short of the postseason in 2023, but they're set to make another run with second-year quarterback Anthony Richardson expected to return in 2024. A strong foray into this weekend's draft would help them tremendously.

Richardson, the fourth overall pick in last year's draft, only appeared in four games before suffering a season-ending shoulder injury. However, he's on pace to start Week 1, and the Colts are hoping that this year's draft can provide him with additional support.

Indianapolis has seven total selections, but their first-round pick—seventh overall—is likely the one that holds the most fan interest. Mid-first-round picks are expected to contribute immediately, and with a talented 2024 draft class, Indy has a chance to add an immediate difference-maker.

The unknown, of course, is who that difference-maker will be. Here, we'll examine three realistic draft prospects the Colts should look to target with their first pick in the 2024 NFL draft.

The Colts have a solid receiver trio in Michael Pittman Jr., Josh Downs and Alec Pierce. However, they could use more at the position, and if one of the top wideouts—Ohio State's Marvin Harrison Jr., LSU's Malik Nabers or Washington's Rome Odunze—starts to slide, the Indy could make its move.

If the Colts stay put, however, they could be inclined to take the best value available. That may be on defense, even if general manager Chris Ballard is eager to aid Richardson. That's what happened in the latest Bleacher Report Scouting Department mock draft, where Indy got paired with Alabama pass-rusher Dallas Turner.

"Colts general manager Chris Ballard loves drafting elite athletes in general, especially when it comes to pass-rushers. Turner fits that description to a 'T' with his 8.85 RAS and 34⅜-inch arms."

It's not an obvious pick, but Turner—the 12th-ranked prospect on the B/R Scouting Department's draft board—would provide value at No. 15. Reaching for a wide receiver wouldn't be advisable, given the overall depth at the position, and while the Colts tallied 51 sacks last season, they lack an elite edge-rusher.

Turner has the potential to be exactly that, and in a division that features Trevor Lawrence and C.J. Stroud, it won't hurt to improve the pass rush.

The Colts should be able to find a quality receiver early in Round 2—they landed Texas' Xavier Worthy in the B/R mock—but they won't have as much luck finding an elite tight end in that range.

There's a realistic chance that Georgia's Brock Bowers falls into a reasonable trade range for Indianapolis—probably more likely than Harrison, Nabers or Odunze falling, anyway. Bowers doesn't possess archetypal size for the position at 6'3" and 243 pounds. That could cause some teams to avoid him during the likely early run on receivers and quarterbacks.

However, Bowers is a legitimate playmaker with the potential to be a perennial All-Pro at his position. He's the second-ranked prospect on the B/R board at any position, behind only Harrison.

Bowers would be worth jumping up to get for Indianapolis too. A top-tier tight end can be a young quarterback's best friend, and the Colts don't have one on their roster. Kylen Granson led Indy's tight ends with just 368 receiving yards last season.

With good speed, terrific vision and elite after-the-catch ability, Bowers would be an instant playmaker for the Colts offense. He'd be a perfect pick for the Colts, even if it cost them a little extra to make it happen.

Again, if one of the top three receivers or Bowers falls to within trade range, it would behoove the Colts to strike. Richardson's development is that important. However, Ballard shouldn't be eager to draft a lesser pass-catcher in Round 1 when Day 2 is likely to feature prospects of a similar caliber.

Trading down and grabbing a receiver like LSU's Brian Thomas Jr. could also make some sense, but the draft features far less depth at positions like edge-rusher and cornerback.

Another defensive option the Colts might be able to land at No. 15 is Alabama cornerback Terrion Arnold. He's the second-ranked corner on the B/R board after Toledo's Quinyon Mitchell and he'd immediately provide a boost on the back end of the defense.

"A complete and well-rounded defender, there isn't much he can't do," Cory Giddings of the B/R Scouting Department wrote. "Arnold performs best when in press man, but he has the versatility to play from off coverage and in zone, with the added versatility of playing from the slot."

Arnold would also make sense from a value standpoint, as he's the 11th overall prospect on the B/R board. With quarterbacks and receivers likely to dominate the top 10, Arnold is a very realistic target for the Colts at No. 15.