Way too early 2023 Colts draft grade

[CR91]

Keep in mind guys there's only so much tape available for the day three guys so if I'm off base, let me know.

 

1. Anthony Richardson QB Florida

 

I wanna preface by saying I love this pick, but I feel like we need patience with AR. Clearly his traits are what makes him such a high pick and I fully expect Steichen to take his game to another level. I expect him to start, but maybe not right away. I expect a lot of RPOs which is gonna force defenses to think instead of react which is going to help both AR and Taylor.

 

Grade A-

 

2. Julius Brents CB Kansas State

 

Love the pick. Brents is long, physical, and not afraid to hit. I do think he needs to learn to win at the LOS more to avoid getting beat deep. I expect him to start opposite Kenny and Rodgers 

 

Grade A

 

3. Josh Downs WR North Carolina

 

Very interesting pick as not a typical Ballard WR. I know Reggie lobbied for this pick and I can understand why as I'm sure his crisp routes and hands reminded Reggie of himself. Size wise I honestly think Hilton is bigger which is saying something, but the offense did need someone that can create separation and win in space. 

 

Grade B+

 

4. Blake Freeland T BYU

 

26 starts at left and right tackle only allowing one sack. Not a great senior bowl and definitely needs to get stronger, but the size and athleticism is something to work with. Possible competition for Raimann and at worst it's needed depth at T.

 

Grade B

 

4. Adetomiwa Adebawore DL Northwestern

 

I'm honestly on the fence with this pick. I like his hand fighting and get off, but his tackling needs work. Very fast and twitchy so he can work into the rotation, but I'm not sure how much playing time he's gonna get being behind so many pass rushers. Imo we were better off getting a G.

 

Grade B-/C+

 

5. Darius Rush CB South Carolina

 

Great value pick. Definitely has a lot of WR in him the way he plays the ball which is obviously because he converted to corner. I do think he needs to do better technique wise, but definitely someone I can see contributing right away.

 

Grade A

 

5. Daniel Scott S California

 

Hard hitting and very good in coverage even though I think he gets fooled at times. I think this could potentially be Blackmon's replacement next season as I see him used mostly as a free safety. 

 

Grade B

 

5. Will Mallory TE Miami

 

Probably the pick I least liked just because we have 4 TEs already. He's a fast TE with solid hands, but average at best at blocking. Im assuming either MAC or Granson get moved or this is competition for Olgetree.

 

Grade C

 

5. Evan Hull RB Northwestern

 

Got one right. Yea me. On a serious note, I like this pick as we needed a pass catching RB. I just don't know where he fits because I highly doubt we're carrying 4 RBs as I'm assuming JT, Moss, and Deon Jackson are locks. 

 

Grade B-

 

6. Titus Leo Edge Wagner

 

I honestly don't know a thing about this guy other then his measurables. He's 6 3 240. I'm assuming this a project pick to develop.

 

Grade incomplete.

 

7. Jaylon Jones CB Texas A&M

 

Another corner to help with depth. Clearly Ballard thought highly of the corners in this draft. Jones is kinda hard to grade as he wasn't targeted a lot which obviously is a good thing, but for the routes he did get beat it was mostly due to being out of position or being undisciplined with his technique. Can be very good depth though with Rodgers and Kenny going into contract years.

 

Grade B+

 

7. Jake Witt T Northern Michigan

 

Another guy I could not find much about. I do know he was a basketball player turned T. I would put him in the clay to mold type of project prospect.

 

Grade C

 

Overall, I think this draft filled a lot of needs outside of G. Very excited to see AR play and the future of the colts.

 

Overall grade A-

[Archer]

I loved this Draft.  Solid A for me.  Richardson was the right choice at our biggest need.  Then we eked out every bit of value we could with trades before taking one of the best fits in the draft for our second biggest need with Brents.  Then it was value, value , value with Downs, Freeland, Adebawore, and Rush.  Great shots, every one of them.  I like Scott at a spot that we just need a little more quality depth.  Then we went after those late round swings for the fences.  Those ones brought additional competition and gave us shots at a variety at positions.  I agree with CR91 that Mallory was the only head scratcher for me, but not as much as Zach Banner or Jacob Eason had been in the past…

[colts52761]

I would have rather a couple of IOL, instead of a TE and a RB. But just my opinion.

[rock8591]

3 hours ago, Archer said:

I loved this Draft.  Solid A for me.  Richardson was the right choice at our biggest need.  Then we eked out every bit of value we could with trades before taking one of the best fits in the draft for our second biggest need with Brents.  Then it was value, value , value with Downs, Freeland, Adebawore, and Rush.  Great shots, every one of them.  I like Scott at a spot that we just need a little more quality depth.  Then we went after those late round swings for the fences.  Those ones brought additional competition and gave us shots at a variety at positions.  I agree with CR91 that Mallory was the only head scratcher for me, but not as much as Zach Banner or Jacob Eason had been in the past…

 

Will Mallory reminds me of George Kittle, now that I've had some time to do some cursory research. May be the BPA at that time of the draft, but still feel like we should have taken Andrew Vorhees on a redshirt year.

[CR91]

7 hours ago, rock8591 said:

 

Will Mallory reminds me of George Kittle, now that I've had some time to do some cursory research. May be the BPA at that time of the draft, but still feel like we should have taken Andrew Vorhees on a redshirt year.

 

Doesn't block like Kittle, but I see what you're saying. I was thinking more like Dalton Schultz or Hayden Hurst. In line TE that can work within 10 yards and get YAC

[Jackie Daytona]

Pretty solid ratings at this early point.  I disagree a bit about the Safety.  I think he is here largely for his ST prowess and to provide depth.  I think people largely forget just how good Blackmon has been when healthy..... that with Thomas the overachiever and a young super athlete in Cross.....S is in really good shape and young.   

 

The RB will make it.  Deon may not, as we need a shifty 3rd down back since Nyheim bailed.  Steichen loves the Sproles like guy and drawing up routes for them.   

 

The CB position we got insane value.  It really was a deeeeeep pool at CB this year to pull players like Brents, Rush, and Jones in rounds 2, 5, 7.....

 

Adebawore is great value as well.....not perfect, thats why he fell.....but definitely worthy of a pick a bit higher than we got him.

[CR91]

5 hours ago, Jackie Daytona said:

Pretty solid ratings at this early point.  I disagree a bit about the Safety.  I think he is here largely for his ST prowess and to provide depth.  I think people largely forget just how good Blackmon has been when healthy..... that with Thomas the overachiever and a young super athlete in Cross.....S is in really good shape and young.   

 

The RB will make it.  Deon may not, as we need a shifty 3rd down back since Nyheim bailed.  Steichen loves the Sproles like guy and drawing up routes for them.   

 

The CB position we got insane value.  It really was a deeeeeep pool at CB this year to pull players like Brents, Rush, and Jones in rounds 2, 5, 7.....

 

Adebawore is great value as well.....not perfect, thats why he fell.....but definitely worthy of a pick a bit higher than we got him.

 

Blackmon being re-signed is highly unlikely imo. We drafted three safeties the last two drafts and Taylor and Pitt need to be re-signed. I wouldn't describe Hull as shifty. He's more of a waist down power runner. He can just catch passes.

[Dark Superman]

A-

 

The only complaint I have is the Colts passed on Andrew Vorhees in the 6th round. I wish they would've taken Andrew Vorhees instead of a guy like Titus Leo. Andrew Vorhees may not play in 2023, but you fill a future need with a guy who was graded as a second-round talent.

[CR91]

On 5/6/2023 at 4:52 AM, Dark Superman said:

A-

 

The only complaint I have is the Colts passed on Andrew Vorhees in the 6th round. I wish they would've taken Andrew Vorhees instead of a guy like Titus Leo. Andrew Vorhees may not play in 2023, but you fill a future need with a guy who was graded as a second-round talent.

 

My guess, colts didn't like the medical on his knee and didn't see him as a draftable prospect.