Colts Projected to Nab 'Premier Athlete' in 2024 NFL Draft

The Athletic's Dane Brugler predicted the Indianapolis Colts to target wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. at No. 15 overall in the 2024 NFL draft.

The Indianapolis Colts placed the franchise tag on wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. before Tuesday's deadline. But that didn't stop The Athletic's Dane Brugler from projecting the Colts to target wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. in the first round of the 2024 NFL draft.

Brugler predicted the Colts to grab Thomas at No. 15 overall in his mock draft on March 5.

"Although the Colts have made it clear that Michael Pittman Jr. isn’t going anywhere, they’ll be looking for ways to upgrade on the outside for QB Anthony Richardson," Brugler wrote. "At 6-foot-3 and 209 pounds, Thomas is a premier athlete (4.33 40-yard dash) and a better route runner than most think."

It would be somewhat surprising to see the Colts target Thomas after tagging Pittman. In addition to Pittman, Indianapolis has wideouts Alec Pierce and Josh Downs, both of whom were Day 2 selections the past two years, on the roster.

But other analysts besides Brugler have connected Thomas to the Colts because of the possibility he takes Shane Steichen's offense to the next level.

On March 4, SI.com's All Colts' Drake Wally called Thomas a "perfect fit" for the Colts because of his versatility, explosiveness and red-zone effectiveness.

Thomas posted a pair of 300-yard receiving campaigns to begin his college career in 2021 and 2022. Then in 2023, he broke out with 68 catches for 1,177 receiving yards and 17 touchdowns.

His 17 scores led the FBS.

Interestingly, NFL.com's Lance Zierlein also predicted the Colts to target a pass catcher in the first round of the 2024 NFL draft. However, Zierlein slotted Georgia tight end Brock Bowers to Indianapolis at No. 15 overall.

Zierlein projected Thomas to the Cincinnati Bengals three selections later at No. 18.

The Colts drafted Pittman and Pierce with their first selections in the 2020 and 2022 NFL drafts. However, both choices were in the second round.

The last time the Colts selected a wideout in the first round was Phillip Dorsett at No. 29 overall in 2015.