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3 Perfect Draft Picks for the Indianapolis Colts

The Indianapolis Colts must nail multiple needs in the upcoming NFL draft to have a chance to get back to playoff-level football.

Drake Wally

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The Indianapolis Colts are facing arguably the most important offseason in 25 years. With more than just a quarterback of the future needed, the Colts will need to improve blocking, receiver/defensive back depth, and overall camaraderie to have a chance to make the playoffs in the next couple of seasons.

Recently, Gordon McGuinness of Pro Football Focus released his perfect draft picks for the AFC teams that didn’t make the playoffs in 2022. For the Colts, McGuinness makes things interesting for the first three rounds.

Round 1: QB Anthony Richardson, Florida Gators

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This one makes perfect sense given the insane athleticism of Anthony Richardson and how much success new head coach Shane Steichen had with Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts last season in Philadelphia.

The entry from McGuinness lays it down nicely for how Richardson fits with the pick. He says, “Richardson’s ceiling is sky high with how much of an outlier he is an athlete, but while there is a focus on what he can do in the running game, he also recorded 19 big-time throws in 2022, 12 more than Kentucky’s Will Levis.”

Steichen wants the offense to be explosive and vertical; Richardson checks those boxes for the new offense in Indianapolis. Next, Indy will address some offensive line needs. 

Round 2: G Steve Avila, TCU Horned Frogs

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Given how awful Indianapolis’ offensive line was in 2022 (second-most sacks allowed in the NFL with 60), it’s understandable that shoring up right guard is key. Steve Avila is a strong enough prospect that he could either push current Colts guard Will Fries into starting caliber, or outright start Week 1.

McGuinness provides his thoughts on Avila, stating, “Avila at the top of Round 2 would be a very slight reach based on his average draft position and where he ranks on the PFF big board, but he is coming off a season where he posted an 83.6 pass-blocking grade and allowed 11 total pressures on 540 pass-blocking snaps.”

Could we see Avila taken as early as Round 2? Perhaps. His name has been linked to the Colts in several mock drafts.

Lastly, the Colts will add depth at the receiver position with a physical specimen. 

Round 3: WR A.T. Perry, Wake Forest Demon Deacons

Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

With the recent departure of Parris Campbell to the New York Giants, the Colts need to add pieces to their receiving corps. Primarily, in the slot spot.

With the addition of former Buffalo Bills playmaker Isaiah McKenzie, it’s showing that Colts general manager Chris Ballard understands depth at receiver is key.

Enter Wake Forest's A.T. Perry. He played four seasons total but showed out the most in 2021 and 2022. Below are his numbers:

  • 2021: 14 games, 71 catches, 1,293 yards, 18.2 avg per catch, 15 TDs
  • 2022: 13 games, 81 catches, 1,096 yards, 13.5 avg per catch, 11 TDs

These are great numbers for a 6’2”, 200-pound slot receiver. For the Colts, this would be an ideal pick and PFF seems to think so, too.

Outlook

The Colts are approaching the NFL Draft in Kansas City on April 27. This will be a huge step in the right direction if the picks are nailed in key positions where help is needed the most. With the first three rounds in this mock draft showing out as they did, could they be the best picks? We’ll see next Thursday.

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Drake Wally
DRAKE WALLY

Drake Wally covers the Indianapolis Colts at Horseshoe Huddle and co-hosts the Horseshoe Huddle Podcast.  

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