Colts Lock Up Over Half of Draft Class to Contracts

The Indianapolis Colts have signed seven of their 12 picks from the 2023 NFL Draft to their rookie contracts.

Out of the 12 players selected in the 2023 NFL Draft, the Indianapolis Colts now have seven locked up to their rookie contracts.

The Colts announced on Friday (the start of rookie minicamp) that they've signed each of their fifth, sixth, and seventh-round players, cornerback Darius Rush, safety Daniel Scott, tight end Will Mallory, running back Evan Hull, defensive end Titus Leo, cornerback Jaylon Jones, and tackle offensive Jake Witt.

Rush (6'2", 198, 23 years old) is a big, athletic, fast player added to a position at cornerback that lacked quality depth from the top to bottom. He is one of three corners drafted by the Colts who should be able to compete for a spot on the outside in training camp.

Scott (6'0", 208, 24) is known as a highly athletic defensive back but also as a core-four special teamer, which is likely where he could carve out a role with the Colts. Earlier this offseason, Colts special teams coordinator Brian Mason described the ideal special teamer as someone "that can make adjustments, have a high football IQ, play with passion, high effort, and energy, have straight-line speed and are physical at the point of attack.” That describes Scott quite well.

Mallory (6'4", 239, 23) comes from a family with a rich football tradition, including his grandfather Bill Mallory who was the head coach at Indiana University, and uncle Curt Mallory, who is currently the head coach at Indiana State. Will Mallory was productive for the Hurricanes, increasing his production in all five years, totaling 115 receptions for 1,544 yards (13.4 avg.), and 14 touchdowns. He's yet another athletic player with a RAS over 9.0 that the Colts have drafted.

With the likely intention of adding a dynamic element to their backfield, the Colts secured one of the better pass-catching running backs in the draft in Hull (5'11", 210, 22), who also happens to be quite athletic. He is obviously no threat to All-Pro running back Jonathan Taylor, but the role that he can carve out versus Zack Moss and Deon Jackson is quite interesting. Hull and Jackson are both quality inside runners who can catch, and Moss is the best pass blocker of the group.

Leo (6'3", 245, 23) is the first "unknown" player from the Colts' 2023 draft class and is just the fourth player ever drafted out of Wagner. He didn't have strong statistical sack production in college, but he did have 32.5 tackles for loss over the last two years. Leo is an athletic, high-motor edge defender. Guessing by his size and testing scores, he's likely a LEO/weakside defensive end in defensive coordinator Gus Bradley's system.

Jones (6'2", 200, 21), is the third cornerback the Colts drafted, joining JuJu Brents and Rush as a group of big-bodied pass defenders. Jones is athletic with plenty of experience as a three-year starter for the Aggies ever since his true freshman season. He's also a potential gunner on the punt team right off the bat.

Witt (6'7", 302, 23) is another hulking offensive tackle prospect for the Colts after they selected Blake Freeland (6'7", 302) earlier in the draft. Another small-school prospect for the Colts, Witt has an interesting background. He was a two-sport star in football and basketball in high school. Beyond that, he's had to adapt on the fly during his football career while transferring schools and switching positions. With how young he is at the tackle position, Witt may need a little time to develop, but he's got a terrific blend of size and athleticism.

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