Top Colts Prospects to Look Out for at the NFL Combine

admin | February 26, 2024 | Other Clubs | No Comments

The Indianapolis Colts’ brass will pay particular attention to these positions and players during the NFL Scouting Combine.

It’s that time of year again, as the NFL world gathers in Indianapolis this week for the annual NFL Scouting Combine.

Every team in the league will be present as over 300 of the country’s greatest collegiate prospects begin the NFL draft process. Players will visit with teams throughout the week, get medical exams, and practice on-field drills in front of the league’s senior decision-makers.

The Indianapolis Colts enjoy the advantage of having the combine held in their backyard. But that doesn’t make matters any easier, as general manager Chris Ballard and head coach Shane Steichen continue to seek for players who can help propel this squad to the next level. Impressions left at the combine can have a long-term impact on who the Colts select in the draft in April.

Ballard has mentioned wanting to be more explosive on both sides of the ball. The NFL Scouting Combine enables players to demonstrate their explosiveness and athleticism through a number of workouts. If one thing is certain about the Colts’ draft strategy, it is that Ballard and his team enjoy betting on exceptionally athletic players with elite qualities.

Here are the position groupings the Colts will be watching attentively during the combine, as well as a few players at each position who Indy will most likely be interested in.

Pass Catchers

The Colts need more dynamic pass catchers to create a more explosive offensive unit. Although Michael Pittman Jr. and Josh Downs are expected to play significant roles in the Colts offense for years to come, the rest of the wide receivers and tight ends remain uncertain. Although Alec Pierce and Jelani Woods have shown promise, none has been a regular danger for the Colts offense.

The Colts might improve Anthony Richardson’s receiving core by adding Brock Bowers, a generational tight end potential. Bowers has been the top tight end in college football for the past several seasons and has the potential to be one of the best at his position. While Bowers is widely regarded as a top-five prospect in this class and expected to put on a display at the combine, his positional importance as a tight end may cause him to slide to Indianapolis.

If Ballard and the Colts are seeking for wide receiver help in the first round, look no further than Brian Thomas Jr. Thomas is a large, agile wideout who can win deep and led the FBS with 17 touchdown receptions in 2023. Thomas might be the deep threat Steichen needs to take this attack to the next level.

Wide Receivers to Watch

Brian Thomas Jr. – LSU
Malachi Corley – Western Kentucky
Malik Washington – Virginia

Tight Ends to Watch

Brock Bowers – Georgia
Theo Johnson – Penn State
Ben Sinnott – Kansas State

Cornerbacks

Throughout the season, the Colts had a very inexperienced secondary. JuJu Brents and Jaylon Jones, rookie cornerbacks, started eight and ten games, respectively, and showed remarkable promise. If Brents, a second-round pick in 2023, keeps healthy and improves on his rookie season, he may be a reliable starter in Indianapolis for years to come.

However, the Colts will continue to strive to add cornerbacks, particularly playmakers who can intercept and return the ball to the offense. Toledo’s Quinyon Mitchell is a fantastic athlete at cornerback and might be an excellent fit opposite Brent. He has blazing speed, the ability to play off-zone or press-man, and a nose for the ball, having intercepted six passes in his NCAA career and returned two for touchdowns.

Nate Wiggins might be another cornerback the Colts look into in the first round. Wiggins possesses the size and length that the Colts prefer in their cornerbacks and will impress at the combine with his athleticism. The Clemson cornerback can run with any wide receiver and is proficient in press-man and zone coverage.

Cornerbacks to Watch

Quinyon Mitchell – Toledo
Nate Wiggins – Clemson
T.J. Tampa – Iowa State

Pass Rushers

The Colts set an Indianapolis-era record with 51 sacks last season, but applying consistent pressure on rival quarterbacks proved difficult.Kwity Paye and Dayo Odeyingbo enjoyed successful seasons, but both will be in contract years if Paye’s fifth-year option is declined. The Colts may prioritize pass rushers throughout the draft.

Chris Braswell might be the pass rusher Ballard and the Colts fall in love with throughout the draft process. The Alabama product is a physically gifted athlete with an unstoppable drive. He led the SEC in pressures last year and likely have some of the greatest testing results of any pass rusher at the combine.

Adisa Isaac, another pass rusher, is projected to perform well in the combine. Isaac boasts all of the athletic abilities required to be a devastating pass rusher in the NFL. With new defensive line coach Charlie Partridge on board, the former Penn State Nittany Lion may be very effective in Indianapolis.

Pass Rushers to Watch

Chris Braswell – Alabama
Adisa Isaac – Penn State
Austin Booker – Kansas

Safeties

This offseason, the Colts have an underestimated need at safety.Julian Blackmon is a free agent after a great year as a strong safety. If Blackmon doesn’t return, Nick Cross and Rodney Thomas II will take over. Both players have shown sparks, but neither has provided an answer for the future.

If the Colts opt to go safety on Day 2 of the NFL draft, Tyler Nubin would be an excellent choice. Nubin is perhaps the best safety in this draft class, and he can play anywhere on the field. He is a high-level athlete with excellent ball skills who would be a valuable addition to the Colts secondary.

Kamren Kinchens is another potential safety candidate to keep an eye on. Kinchens made 11 interceptions in three years at Miami and has a flair for finding the ball. The safety had a strong week at the Senior Bowl and will aim to demonstrate his abilities again at the combine.

Safeties to Watch