The Indianapolis Colts draft started off on the right foot, as they fixed their issues on the defensive lane by landing the best edge rusher in this class in Michigan’s Kwity Paye.
The remaining parts of the draft featured plenty of talent, but perhaps just as many question marks around them.
Second-rounder Dayo Odeyingbo has all the talent in the world, but he is coming off of a major Achilles injury. Kylen Granson is a tremendous receiver, but what will his role be?
Will Sam Ehlinger be Carson Wentz’s backup quarterback or just an athlete Ballard took a flier on in the sixth round?
Regardless, this draft is done and dusted, and the Colts are likely already starting to get a proto-big board together for a 2022 draft class that is bursting at the seams with depth at all of the positions that the Colts need to attack, including safety, left tackle, and wide receiver.
One of these three potential Colts draft picks could step right into a Frank Reich offense or Matt Eberflus defense and instantly become a contributor.
These 3 Colts draft targets could blossom in Indianapolis
3. Rasheed Walker, OT, Penn State
The top prospect at that position in this class is widely assumed to be Alabama’s Evan Neal. Beyond him, it’s anyone’s game to take over the OT2 role. Given how Walker has started for the last two seasons in Happy Valley, his experience against some of the best of the best in the Big 10 could give him an edge.
Walker has made 26 appearances for Penn State, but 22 of them have come at left tackle. With the ability to completely wash pass rushers out of a play and enough mobility to handle speed off of the edge, Walker should end up in position to allow Indianapolis to add their next Anthony Castonzo.
How would Rasheed Walker help the Colts?
Sam Tevi, who is a risky short-term investment, carries an almost 0% chance of becoming the long-term solution at left tackle in Indianapolis. Walker is a bit rough around the edges as a prospect, but he has enough talent to warrant a team like Indianapolis taking a chance on him.
Part of the reason Ballard’s decision to pass on an offensive lineman was so shocking was the fact that this was a very deep class at that position. Next year promises to be just as deep given the presence of stars like Walker, though, and Ballard likely won’t pass up on adding a premium player at this position twice.