Colts 2023 NFL Draft All-Fits Team Revealed

These players in the 2023 NFL Draft best fit the Indianapolis Colts at all positions on the roster.

Andrew Moore | Apr 19, 2023

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Indianapolis Colts

The first round of the 2023 NFL Draft is only a week away as teams are finalizing their draft boards and formulating a plan for who they will select.

The Indianapolis Colts have quite a few holes to fill, particularly at quarterback. The Colts are expected to take their next signal-caller with the No.4 pick next Thursday night. But Indy will also be looking for other prospects throughout the draft that fit their schemes and what they want to do on both sides of the ball.

Selecting players that fit what a team is trying to do is crucial to determining whether or not they will be a successful pick. With that in mind, here is the Colts 2023 NFL Draft All-Fits team comprised of players from this year's draft class who would be a great fit in Indy.

QB - Anthony Richardson, Florida

© Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

Anthony Richardson could be the alien the Colts have been searching for at quarterback since Andrew Luck retired. Arguably the most athletic quarterback prospect the NFL has ever seen with his combination of size, speed, and explosiveness, Richardson also has the strongest arm in the class. While he has issues with his mechanics that need to be cleaned up, Richardson is not as raw as people might think and has shown to improve with reps and experience. With Shane Steichen at the helm directing his development and the system he will be in, the sky’s the limit for Richardson in Indy.

RB - Evan Hull, Northwestern

With Jonathan Taylor and Zack Moss entrenched as the top running backs, the Colts could still look to add a receiving back to the room. Look no further than Evan Hull, who may be the most complete receiving back in the entire class with 94 catches over his last two seasons at Northwestern. Hull is an athletic running back with a great feel for the game and can explode off cuts. Hull would be a nice compliment to Taylor and Moss.

WR - Jonathan Mingo, Ole Miss

Jonathan Mingo is a perfect big slot fit for the Colts. He has great hands and can create separation quickly at the line of scrimmage, allowing the quarterback to get the ball out quickly. He also has the height, weight, and speed the Colts covet in their wideouts and excels as a blocker. Mingo is one of the best fits for the Colts in the entire draft, and it would not be shocking for Chris Ballard to put in the card for him early on Day 3 or even in the third round on Day 2.

WR - Rashee Rice, SMU

Although the Colts have two really good outside receivers in Michael Pittman Jr. and Alec Pierce, Rashee Rice would be a great fit with those two. He fits the size the Colts like with their wide receivers and is great with the ball in his hands after the catch. Rice could be a great asset in the running game as well, with his physicality and ability to block. If the Colts take Rice, expect him and Pittman to rotate from outside to inside depending on the matchup.

WR - Cedric Tillman, Tennessee

Tennessee wide receiver Cedric Tillman (4) during Tennessee's game against Georgia at Sanford Stadium in Athens, Ga., on Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022. Kns Vols Georgia Bp — © Brianna Paciorka/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK

Cedric Tillman would most likely perform much of the same duties that Pittman does in the Colts’ offense. He is a big-bodied wide receiver that catches the ball well in traffic yet can get behind the defense. However, Pittman is a better wide receiver with the ball in his hands and can create more separation. The Colts would likely move Pittman into the slot more if Tillman comes to Indy.

TE - Payne Durham, Purdue

Payne Durham could be Jack Doyle 2.0 for the Colts. In fact, the comp for Durham is Doyle. He possesses solid hands to make critical catches over the middle and can be a huge asset in the running game. If the Colts can look past his lack of high-end athletic traits, Durham could be a solid Day 3 addition.

OT - Nick Saldiveri, Old Dominion

Nick Saldiveri could end up being a diamond in the rough for the Colts. The size, length, and athletic ability are all there for Saldiveri as he has shown great promise as both a run blocker and pass blocker. Saldiveri just needs time to refine his footwork and become more consistent in this area. If the Colts can snatch him up on Day 3, Saldiveri could develop into a starting-caliber player on the Colts’ offensive line.

OT - Dawand Jones, Ohio State

© Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK

While the Colts are set at right tackle with Braden Smith, do not rule out Indy taking Dawand Jones at the top of the second round. Jones is a local kid who is the biggest offensive lineman in this draft class. He has displayed more than enough ability to win in the run game and pass game and could turn into one of the better right tackles in the NFL. The Colts have done a lot of work on Jones in the pre-draft process as well. If Jones does end up in Indy, moving Smith to right guard with Jones at right tackle would go a long way to shore up the right side of the line.

OG - Cody Mauch, North Dakota State

Mauch would slide in as the starter at right guard for the Colts. His tenacity as a blocker who finishes defenders into the ground mirrors that of Quenton Nelson, giving the Colts a nasty guard combination. Mauch’s athleticism is also a plus, as the Colts love to draft athletic offensive linemen. While he will have a learning curve at guard in the NFL, Mauch shows great potential and could help return the Indy offensive line to prominence.

OG - Jon Gaines II, UCLA

The Colts could find another diamond in the rough with Jon Gaines II. He is a great athlete for the position and shows solid skills in the run and pass game. While he needs to gain strength and work on his technique, those same issues did not stop the Colts from taking Bernhard Raimann a year ago. Gaines II could be high on the Colts' board come Day 3 of the draft.

C - Joe Tippmann, Wisconsin

Wisconsin offensive lineman Joe Tippmann (75) knocks Northwestern defensive back Coco Azema (0) out of the way during the second quarter of their game Saturday, November 13, 2021 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wis. Wisconsin beat Northwestern 35-7. Uwgrid14 9 — © MARK HOFFMAN/MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL / USA TODAY NETWORK

Joe Tippmann could be the center of the future for the Colts. A local kid from Fort Wayne, Ind., Tippmann possesses the size and athleticism that Chris Ballard loves in his offensive linemen. His nasty style of play would fit very well next to Nelson as the Colts' offensive line looks to find their edge again. While Tippmann will need to iron out some of the technical parts of his game, he has the chance to be a high-level starting center in the NFL.

EDGE - Isaiah Foskey, Notre Dame

Isaiah Foskey fits what the Colts look for in their pass rushers to a tee. He is a long, explosive pass rusher that can attack the quarterback and help against the run. His high motor and work ethic give him a high chance of hitting his ceiling at the next level. The Colts and Ballard are always looking for pass rush help, and Foskey would be a perfect fit as an EDGE rusher in Indy.

EDGE - YaYa Diaby, Louisville

YaYa Diaby could end up being a Day 3 steal for the Colts. He is another rusher with long arms and great athleticism, both traits the Colts covet. He also has position versatility, playing inside and out while his explosiveness allows him to get a quick jump on the play. If the Colts are looking for pass rush help on Day 3, Diaby is a perfect fit.

DT - Adetomiwa Adebawore, Northwestern

The Colts love for their defensive lineman to have position versatility so they can put them anywhere on the line to exploit matchups. That is what Adetomiwa Adebawore presents, a feisty and athletic defensive lineman who can get after the quarterback from anywhere on the line. His length is also an advantage to keep offensive linemen from getting their hands on him. While the Colts have much more pressing needs in the first couple of rounds, it’s no doubt the Colts would love having a player like Adebawore.

DT - Keeanu Benton, Wisconsin

Keeanu Benton would do some damage in the middle of the Colts' defensive line. He has the size and length that the Colts like their defensive tackles to have. Combine that with his athleticism and explosiveness, and Indy should be very high on him. A rotation of DeForest Buckner, Grover Stewart, and Benton would be tough for any offensive line to stop in the middle.

LB - Dorian Williams, Tulane

Dorian Williams fits the bill for the type of linebacker the Colts like to acquire. While he is not the biggest linebacker, his length and speed to cover all over the field make him a great fit next to Shaquille Leonard and Zaire Franklin. Williams played safety before moving to linebacker as well, showing he is comfortable in coverage. If Williams is available on Day 3, Williams would be a great pick to add depth in the middle of the defense.

LB - Owen Pappoe, Auburn

Auburn Tigers linebacker Owen Pappoe (0) pumps up the crowd as Auburn Tigers take on Mercer Bears at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala., on Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022. Auburn Tigers leads Mercer Bears 28-7 at halftime. — © Jake Crandall / USA TODAY NETWORK

Another highly athletic linebacker is Owen Pappoe. Pappoe has great length and range to cover from sideline to sideline at the next level. He can also be used as a blitzer to get after the quarterback. While Pappoe will need to work on his play recognition if he wants to have a chance as a starter, the athletic upside is enticing for the Colts.

CB - Kelee Ringo, Georgia

There is a high chance Kelee Ringo ends up as the Colts' pick in the second round. Ringo's athleticism jumps off the charts, and he has the size and length the Colts love at cornerback. He has had some issues in man coverage but thrives back in zone coverage where he can make plays on the ball. Ringo is a perfect Gus Bradley cornerback and would start on the outside in Indy from Day 1.

CB - Julius Brents, Kansas State

Julius Brents is another local kid with sky-high athleticism. The size and speed Brents plays with will allow him to stick with any wide receiver he's matched up on. He is at his best in zone coverage, where he can use his speed and length to make plays on the ball. While not the same level of prospect as Ringo, Brents would be a very nice addition to the Colts' secondary.

CB - Darius Rush, South Carolina

Darius Rush rounds out the group of solid outside cornerback fits for the Colts in this draft. Rush is another cornerback with great size at 6'2" and 198 pounds and the length to hold his own against any wide receiver. Rush also has tremendous speed and excels in zone coverage. After a great week at the Reese's Senior Bowl, he could be setting himself up to be a Colt by the end of Day 2.

SAF - Quan Martin, Illinois

As a versatile and athletic playmaker in the secondary, Jartavius "Quan" Martin checks off a lot of boxes for the Colts. Position versatility and having a nose for the football are two of Martin’s best traits and something the Colts love in their defenders. He could play a variety of roles in Indy, and the team could use him wherever there is a need in the secondary. Martin is a very intriguing option on Day 3.

SAF - Jason Taylor II, Oklahoma State

Jason Taylor II is a prototypical Day 3 pick for the Colts. While the safety is raw in some areas and can give up some big plays, he is a great athlete with a knack for making plays around the ball. Taylor can get reps on special teams for the Colts while he develops as well. If Taylor is available late on Day 3, he could hear his name called when the Colts are on the clock.

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Published Apr 19, 2023

ANDREW MOORE

Andrew Moore is the Senior Analyst for Horseshoe Huddle and an Indianapolis Colts expert. Andrew is also the co-host of the Horseshoe Huddle Podcast and the former co-host of A Colts Podcast.