Colts Draft: 5 Likely Day-3 Wide Receivers That Fit
With such a great class of wide receivers in the 2024 NFL Draft, the Indianapolis Colts might select any of these five players on Day 3.
The Indianapolis Colts’ wide receiver room is still a work in progress, but it is in a better state than in previous years. Veteran Michael Pittman Jr. is a legitimate elite pass-catcher, and the Colts appropriately extended his contract for another three years.
Along with Pittman, the starters are Alec Pierce and Josh Downs, two former day-two draft selections who have shown promise since joining the squad. Both players must improve in 2024, but at the very least, they are viable choices for this team. Ashton Dulin, the team’s special teams ace, should also return from his ACL injury, providing another reliable depth option in the rotation for the receivers.
After the top four players, the Colts have little true depth at the position. The 2024 NFL Draft could be an excellent opportunity to add quality to the backend of the position. So, today, we’ll look at a couple day-three wide receiver options for the Colts.
Ryan Flournoy, Southeast Missouri State
Flournoy is the ideal Chris Ballard wide receiver for Day 3 of this draft class. He meets all of the essential size and speed criteria while also showing exceptional pre-draft broad jump metrics (which the Colts highly appreciate). He also performed well at the Senior Bowl this summer, bolstering his chances of being drafted by the Colts.
Flournoy is far from ready to contribute in the NFL right now, but he has some Dulin in his game. He is a clever player praised by coaches, and his athletic talent is worth betting on. Dulin was able to make the roster because of his special teams ability and coachability, and Flournoy appears to be a player who can follow in his footsteps.
Ballard has always raved about a player like Dulin, and now he could potentially grab another version of him in Flournoy.
Bub Means, Pittsburgh
Continuing with the theme of athleticism on day three, Means is another player to watch for the Colts. Means, who stands 6’1″ and weighs 212 pounds, had a 4.43 40-yard dash and a vertical jump of 39.5 inches at the NFL Combine. He also stood out at the Shrine Bowl this offseason, earning accolades from many of the media members that attended.
Means’ production profile is rather lackluster, but he possesses the characteristics to be a day-one contributor on special teams. His stature and physicality, along with his play pace, make him a dangerous gunner to bring to the next level. His profile could possibly make him a promising developmental player at the position.
Means is an intriguing H/W/S prospect to keep an eye on later on day three for the Colts.
Cornelius Johnson, Michigan
If the Colts want to shift their focus away from pure special teams players and toward a developmental prospect at receiver, Johnson from Michigan could be an excellent choice. Johnson struggled to produce in college, but his physical abilities and spurts are impressive on tape.
Johnson is an explosive playmaker with exceptional skills in contested catch situations. He also has some after-the-catch skills and is one of the draft’s best run blockers. While he still needs to work on his route running, they are developmental attributes for the 6’3″ athletic marvel.
Johnson may be a long way from delivering in the NFL, but he is an intriguing developmental prospect in this draft class.
So excited to have Cornelius Johnson back for another season! Here are some of his career highlights at Michigan 🔥 pic.twitter.com/vEGBxBr5nM
— JD 〽️ (@MGoJDBlue) May 11, 2023
Luke McCaffrey, Rice
Rice receiver McCaffrey is another potential late-round option. He started his career as a quarterback but switched to receiver after transferring to Rice (from Nebraska). He is still developing slowly at the position, but he has the potential to be a high-floor weapon for whatever team selects him in this draft class.
As a former quarterback, McCaffrey has an instinctive sense of positioning that many receivers lack. He understands how to locate space on defense, and his hands are among the greatest in the draft. He may not match the Chris Ballard template, but his ability to provide the team with a high-floor versatile backup at the position is quite fascinating.
McCaffrey is still developing as a pass catcher, but he has the potential to be a valuable NFL veteran for many years with more development.
What if Luke McCaffrey played college ball at Alabama or any school of that level?
Projected to go on day 3 only because he went to Rice.
Should be 1st or 2nd Round @FieldYates per @BleacherReport says he’s getting “A lot of love around the league”
6’2
4.46
6.7 3 cone pic.twitter.com/gB77so2qSX— Niners Narrative (@NinersNarrative) April 1, 2024
Jacob Cowing, Arizona
Cowing may not be the usual Colts fit on paper, but his speed and performance profile are certainly worth watching in this deep wide draft class. Cowing has scorched opposing defenses at every college stop, so it’s reasonable to believe he can contribute to the NFL on day three of the 2017 draft.
Cowing has an exceptional 4.3 track speed and a smaller build, making him an oddity for the Colts’ typical selections. Shane Steichen, on the other hand, has always preferred to maintain one smaller deep threat on his depth chart, whether it was Isaiah McKenzie last season or Jalen Guyton with the Los Angeles Chargers. Cowing has the potential to have an immediate impact for this team, similar to Guyton.
He may be a bit of a one-trick pony for the Colts, but that one trick could be beneficial for what this offense is meant to look like.
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