Colts’ hidden strategy will be presented in Detroit

Perhaps the most crucial addition to the Indianapolis Colts this offseason will be chosen on April 25th, when executives gather in the war room at the 2024 NFL Draft in Detroit.

Shane Steichen, the Colts’ head coach, garnered praise from both the front office and the fans during his first season in charge. The imaginative 38-year-old led the Colts to a 9-8 record on the edge of a playoff spot.

Entertain. Inspire. Unite. #ForTheShoe pic.twitter.com/x6mbYLVKNf

— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) April 5, 2024

Indianapolis has the 15th choice in the NFL Draft and plans to develop a winning culture through its scouting department, which will have the majority of the same personnel from last season. Each pillar of success is dependent on the development of second-year quarterback Anthony Richardson, who has been given the task of designing an explosive system alongside star running back Jonathan Taylor.

Most of the Stampede Blue community expects Richardson to be the impact player who leads the Colts to a successful season in 2024. He scored seven total touchdowns in four games, three with his arm and four with his foot, but his rookie season was cut short due to an AC Joint Strain that necessitated shoulder surgery.

The AFC South crown has become more difficult to win after the defending division champions in Houston traded for two-time All-Pro receiver Stefon Diggs to build around quarterback C.J. Stroud following a fantastic rookie season. The Jacksonville Jaguars, a divisional opponent, grabbed receiver Gabe Davis as another weapon for franchise quarterback Trevor Lawrence. Despite Tennessee’s rebuilding year under first-year coach Brian Callahan, the Titans made Calvin Ridley the league’s fifth-highest paid receiver and traded draft picks to Kansas City for cornerback L’Jarius Sneed.

“I see we lost the offseason Super Bowl again… better luck next year,” Colts linebacker Zaire Franklin sarcastically wrote Thursday on ‘X’.

Indianapolis kept its finest receiver, Michael Pittman Jr., to lead the charge in the current receiving room, which also includes Alec Pierce, Josh Downs, Ashton Dulin, and D.J. Montgomery. For the first hour of the draft, as all of the greatest offensive prospects are announced in the top half of the first round, Colts fans will be hoping that an excellent option for Anthony Richardson comes within reach.

If one of the finest cornerbacks, such as Alabama’s Terrion Arnold and Kool-Aid McKinstry, Clemson’s Nate Wiggins, or Toledo’s Quinyon Mitchell, is available, will the Colts address the secondary? Kenny Moore II, JuJu Brents, Jaylon Jones, Dallis Flowers, Darrell Baker Jr., Chris Lammons, and Ameer Speed make up the unit.

Will Indianapolis sign one of the first three cornerbacks to compete for an open Week 1 starting place, or one of the first five receivers to provide quarterback Anthony Richardson with another weapon to throw the ball to? Will the war room decide to trade down from any of their current seven picks at any time throughout the draft? Both questions will be answered in three weeks, when the Colts welcome the 2024 draft class.