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Colts Draft: 6 WR Prospects That Fit

The Indianapolis Colts will have a few good wide receiver options in the 2023 NFL draft.

Drake Wally

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The NFL Combine was underway for the draft prospects in Indianapolis on March 4th. While the quarterbacks were the talk of the day, the wide receiver group also showed some potential diamonds in the rough.

The Indianapolis Colts could use young talent at the receiver position, whether they re-sign Parris Campbell/Ashton Dulin or not. With this as the subject, let’s look into five different receivers, and a dark horse, that general manager Chris Ballard may be looking to get at value picks for depth.

1. Xavier Hutchinson | Iowa State

  • Ht: 6-foot-2
  • Wt: 203 lbs
  • Age: 22

The Iowa State receiver Hutchinson simply fits the “Ballard Mold” perfectly. He’s got the size, route-running ability, and deceptive speed to excel in the NFL. He continued to ascend with production during his three years for the Cyclones.

  • 2020: 64 rec; 771 yards; 4 TD
  • 2021: 83 rec; 987 yards; 5 TD
  • 2022: 107 rec; 1,171 yards; 6 TD

One surprising area was how fast he ran the 40-yard dash. Hutchinson showed good speed for a receiver of that size with a 4.53. 

Hitting that stride (see below) can be valuable with his frame. He’s also strong with quickness in routes that will assist a rookie quarterback with larger weapons that may work in the slot.

Predicted Pick: Day 2-3

2. A.T. Perry | Wake Forest

  • Ht: 6-foot-3
  • Wt: 198 lbs
  • Age: 23

Ballard likes the larger, more physically imposing receiver type. Look no further than Wake Forest’s Demon Deacon, Perry. While playing four seasons at Wake, he made it known that he could make plays. His last two years were his best, combining 152 catches, 2,389 yards, and 26 touchdowns.

Like the aforementioned Hutchinson, Perry is larger and even faster, running a 4.47 40-yard dash.

He is a good route-runner who has a high ceiling. While he can afford to add on weight to allow more opportunities to break tackles, he’s still a player that could benefit from a Shane Steichen-led attack.

Steichen even mentioned he wants to be more efficient in the vertical game. Indianapolis may go defense in the second round. But, if they chose to add to the offense, look for Perry to draw their eye.

Predicted Pick: Round 2

3. Michael Wilson — Stanford

  • Ht: 6-foot-3
  • Wt: 213 lbs
  • Age: 23

Effective run-blocking needed to be added to the Colts’ wideouts in 2022. This won’t be an issue with Wilson. Not only was he voted team captain, but he is also a gritty type of player the Colts need at receiver.

His size, weight, and age are all positive signs. He has five years of football experience and could also be effective in kicking off his rookie campaign on special teams.

He needs to get better at pure route-running, but that could go down with a mind like Colts receiver’s coach Reggie Wayne.

Predicted Pick: Round 5

4. Andrei Iosivas — Princeton

  • Ht: 6-foot-3
  • Wt: 205 lbs
  • Age: 23

Iosivas out of Princeton might be a name you don’t know. However, he was showcasing how special he might be at the combine.

Not only did he clock an impressive 4.43 40-yard dash, but he also showcased great hands and body control at full speed during the gauntlet on Saturday.

His 2022 campaign for the Tigers was a good one, logging 66 catches for 943 yards and seven touchdowns.

He does need improvements with getting passes outside of his general range and smoothing out his route-running, but he displayed glimpses of what he could be.

Built similarly to current Colts receiver Alec Pierce, he could be a steal if everything works out. He’ll likely go pretty late in the draft

Predicted Pick: Round 7

5. Jonathan Mingo | Ole Miss

  • Ht: 6-foot-2
  • Wt: 220 lbs
  • Age: 21

When you’re a slot receiver as imposing as Mingo, you’ll catch the attention of a team lacking in that spot. Mingo didn’t blow anyone away with his numbers in college, but his potential is intriguing.

His career highs came in 2022 with 51 catches for 861 yards and five touchdowns. These numbers won’t set the world on fire.

However, he showed off his abilities with a blistering 4.46-40 yard dash and good skills in the gauntlet. All while likely not scratching the surface of his skills, being only 21. 

Will he be able to blossom into a serious slot threat? There’s a chance that it happens in a Colts uniform.

Predicted Pick: Round 4-5

Dark Horse. Jaxon Smith-Njigba | Ohio State

  • Ht: 6-foot-1
  • Wt: 196 lbs
  • Age: 21

There’s a simple reason Smith-Njiba is a dark horse. He has first-round talent at the position. The chance he falls later than the first is due to his 2022 season.

He missed all but three games due to a brutal hamstring injury. However, let’s look at his 2021 season to see his capabilities.

That year, he had 95 catches for 1,606 yards and nine touchdowns. He displayed his skillset at the slot position. The Colts should monitor this if he’s available somehow in round two.

He has excellent abilities to beat defenses and quickness/speed in his routes. While he didn’t run the 40-yard dash, he did top all receivers in the 3-cone drill (6.57 seconds). This could be his way of showing the hamstring is alive and well.

It’s a hail-mary chance he’s picked by Indianapolis, but it cannot be ruled out. He would also need to put on muscle to show more size in the slot. With his 2022 injury, he will likely drop out of the first round.

Will he be able to blossom into a serious slot threat? There’s a chance that it happens in a Colts uniform.

Predicted Pick: Round 2

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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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