Paul Bretl
April 22, 2024 9:08 am ET
In a recent seven-round mock draft from Pro Football Focus, the Colts make a big move down the draft board in Round 1.
During Chris Ballard’s tenure as GM, he has shown a willingness to make draft day trades, and when he does, more often than not he’s choosing to move down to accumulate assets.
“I just go off history,” said Ballard about trading down at his pre-draft press conference. “The more picks you have the better chance you have to hit. Now, of course, you’re not going to hit on all of them, but it gives you a better chance to hit.”
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I go into greater detail here on why the Colts could trade down in the 2024 NFL Draft and what they could acquire for doing so.
In addition to trading down, the Colts go off-script in regards to the positions that they choose to address early on–or at least they’re not following the script that many on the outside believe is the best path for them.
Here is a breakdown of the Colts’ seven selections with what you need to know about each move and the prospects.
1.29 (TRADE): Payton Wilson, LB, NC State
Nov 11, 2023; Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack linebacker Payton Wilson (11) during the first half at Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports
Height: 6-4
Weight: 233
RAS: 9.88
PFF rank: 30th
Trade Details: Colts receive Pick Nos. 29 and 61 and a 2025 third-round pick; Lions receive Pick Nos. 15 and 117
What PFF had to say: “It’s a cliché to go “best athlete available” for the Colts, butPayton Wilsoncertainly ticked that box at the NFL scouting combine. Wilson was exceptional in his final season atNC State,earning grades above 75.0 in all three facets of defense, led by his 90.0 coverage grade with three interceptions and four forced incompletions.”
Breakdown: Linebacker is an underrated need for the Colts. There is little experience and a lot of unknowns on the depth chart behind EJ Speed and Zaire Franklin, while Speed is also set to be a free agent in 2025. But is it a big enough need that the Colts draft a linebacker in Round 1? I suppose with additional draft capital from trading down, GM Chris Ballard has the flexibility to go off-script a bit. Wilson is an excellent athlete and would add a coverage ability at the linebacker position that the Colts don’t currently have.
2.46: Xavier Legette, WR, South Carolina
Nov 25, 2023; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; South Carolina Gameco*cks wide receiver Xavier Legette (17) runs the ball against Clemson Tigers safety Khalil Barnes (36) at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Yeazell-USA TODAY Sports
Height: 6-1
Weight: 221
RAS: 9.92
PFF rank: 53rd
What PFF had to say: “The Colts need more weapons in the passing game, and Legette gives them a versatile and athletic option to pair withMichael Pittman Jr.on the outside. Legette’s 33 receptions of 15-plus yards tied for the sixth most among FBS wideouts in 2023.”
Breakdown: Legette brings terrific size and athleticism to the receiver position. Legette spent five seasons at South Carolina but didn’t break out until 2023. He’s very good at picking up YAC and early on in the NFL as he continues to develop, Legette may need more designed touches drawn up for him as a way to get him the ball in space.
2.61 (from Lions): Kris Jenkins, IDL, Michigan
Jan 8, 2024; Houston, TX, USA; Michigan Wolverines defensive lineman Kris Jenkins (94) against the Washington Huskies during the 2024 College Football Playoff national championship game at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Height: 6-3
Weight: 299
RAS: 8.99
PFF rank: 50th
What PFF had to say: “The Colts doled out new contracts toGrover StewartandDeForest Buckner, so they are set on defensive interior starters in the short term. But the team can still add quality depth to the unit. Jenkins was a top-notch run defender over multiple seasons at Michigan (23 run stops in 2023) and also increased his pass-rush win rate to a career-high 11.0% in 2023.”
Breakdown: Certainly not a position of need, with the Colts solidifying this offseason the interior defensive line for the next few years. However, the best way to destroy any play for an offense is with a quick push up the middle, and the Colts would have one of the best four-man rotations in football. Jenkins has totaled 40 pressures and two sacks in the last two seasons and ranked eighth in run-stop rate in 2023. As I mentioned with the Wilson selection, additional draft capital gives GMs the flexibility to address other needs than the perceived big ones.
3.82: Mason McCormick, IOL, South Dakota State
Iowa defensive lineman Yahya Black (94) blocks against South Dakota State offensive lineman Mason McCormick (60) during a NCAA football game, Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa.
220903 Sdsu Iowa Fb 030 Jpg
Height: 6-4
Weight: 309
RAS: 9.96
PFF rank: 95th
What PFF had to say: “Quenton Nelsonis the Colts’ only starting interior offensive lineman under contract beyond 2024. McCormick was a key cog in back-to-back FCS championships for South Dakota State and brings a mean streak to the Colts’ offensive line. His 90.8 run-blocking grade was the highest of any FCS guard over the past four seasons, including Patriots 2022 first-round pickCole Strange.”
Breakdown: A linebacker, an interior defender, and an interior lineman selected by the Colts with three of their first four picks. How do we feel, Colts fans? This is certainly not a need in 2024, but has PFF alludes to, the interior offensive line could be a sneaky need in 2025, with Ryan Kelly and Will Fries both set to be free agents.
5.151: Kitan Oladapo, S, Oregon State
Mar 1, 2024; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Oregon State defensive back Kitan Oladapo (DB57) works out during the 2024 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Height: 6-2
Weight: 216
RAS: 8.30
PFF rank: 172nd
Breakdown: Oladapo is an experienced player who has been at his best playing closer to the line of scrimmage. Last season, he was among PFF’s highest-graded safeties in run defense. Oladapo could be viewed as a long-term option at strong safety, or with his size, perhaps he takes on a similar role to Ronnie Harrison – who is a free agent in 2025 – filling that linebacker/safety hybrid role.
6.191: Jalyx Hunt, Edge, Houston Christian
Jan 31, 2024; Mobile, AL, USA; American edge Jalyx Hunt of Houston Christian (13) works through a defensive drill during practice for the American team at Hanco*ck Whitney Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vasha Hunt-USA TODAY Sports
Height: 6-4
Weight: 252
RAS: 9.22
PFF rank: 86th
Breakdown: This would be an excellent Day 3 pick for the Colts. Hunt has the size, length, athleticism, and upside that teams are looking for at this stage of the draft. In the last two years, he has logged 81 pressures, including 15 sacks, and he ranked ninth at the FCS level in pass rush win rate. After ranking 23rd in pressures last season, the Colts need more consistency from their pass rush in 2024.
7.234: Isaiah Stalbird, S, South Dakota State
South Dakota State’s Tyler Feldkamp catches a pass before Isaiah Stalbird can tackle him during football practice on Tuesday, August 16, 2022, at Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium in Brookings.
Sdsu Practice 002
Height: 6-1
Weight: 215
RAS: N/A
PFF rank: N/A
Breakdown: Well, we know Ballard doesn’t shy away from drafting small school prospects, and in this mock draft, Stalbird would be his third selection. Stalbird has spent most of his snaps either lined up in the slot or playing in the box–which is a bit redundant considering the Colts re-signed Kenny Moore, have Julian Blackmon for 2024, and drafted Kitan Oladapo earlier in this mock draft. Last season, Stalbird was one of PFF’s highest-graded run defenders at the FCS level and allowed only 7.1 yards per catch in coverage with an interception and four pass breakups.
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