Prospects at the NFL Combine that could be future Colts

After a one-year hiatus, the scouting combine returns to Indianapolis as host to the future players of the NFL.

Thursday marks the beginning of the official four-day, pre-draft process where NFL teams can view the draft prospects in action at the 2022 NFL Scouting Combine.

Live coverage of the scouting combine will be on NFL Network starting at 4 pm eastern standard time each day, but this year, the doors have been opened up for fans and spectators alike.
Scheduling for the event goes as follow:

Day 1, Thursday, March 3: QBs, WRs, TEs
Day 2, Friday, March 4: RBs, OL
Day 3, Saturday, March 5: DL, LBs
Day 4, Sunday, March 6: DBs, Special Teams

The Indianapolis Colts do not hold a first-round draft pick for the third time over the last four years. In the past, Indy has still found great value in the draft via the scouting combine in players like Jonathan Taylor, Michael Pittman Jr, Nyheim Hines, and Parris Campbell, all who stood out with their performances.

Chris Ballard and Frank Reich will be keying in on prospects of all positions but the biggest positions of need have been determined to be wide receiver, offensive line, cornerback, tight end, and edge rusher.

Getting an accurate evaluation of this year’s draft prospects is vital heading into the free agency period, as the Colts currently have more than 25 players set to become unrestricted free agents.

With names like Mark Glowinski, T.Y. Hilton, and Eric Fisher at the top of that list, it seems as good a time as ever to start looking for their successors.

Let’s take a look at the NFL Scouting Combine participants Indy should sit up in their seats for when they take the field.

Playmakers Colts should watch

Indy has a major need at wide receiver. In 2021 the Colts ranked 26th in passing offense mostly due to the lack of explosiveness outside of Michael Pittman Jr. Zach Pascal and T.Y. Hilton are both on the verge of finding new teams after failing to become prominent options in the passing game.

Adapting the offense into a more dynamic, vertical threat would lean to a more well-rounded approach. Opening up the passing game to thrive off the NFL’s best rushing attack with Jonathan Taylor puts this team over the top offensively.

Whether Chris Ballard attacks this need in free agency or the draft, makes this more of a when than an if caliber predicament. Why not both?

Players like Treylon Burks, Chris Olave, Jameson Williams, and Garrett Wilson have all been projected as first-round selections in multiple mock drafts and may be out of the Colts’ reach. However, there is still a deep amount of talent in the class that would be great additions to the offense.

What receivers could fall to Indy?

The Colts have already met with a number of prospects this week. David Bell has been one of those that have become more frequent by the day.

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Calvin Austin from Memphis has been linked to Indianapolis and provides a skill set similar to what Nyheim Hines brings to the offense.

George Pickens out of Georgia offers versatility from the slot as well as the outside. His presence on the field is that of a true No. 1 NFL wide receiver and he has the ability to back it up.

Western Michigan’s Skyy Moore is a player who has drawn comparisons to Pittsburgh Steelers WR Diontae Johnson and would be an excellent complement to the skill set of Michael Pittman Jr.

Offensive lineman that should be on Colts radar

Now we all know there might not be anyone who will be as impressive from the offensive line drills as Quenton Nelson was back in 2018, but there’s hope. With that hope the Colts may and should be looking to find their next Anthony Castonzo at left tackle.

Eric Fisher didn’t exactly live up to his former No. 1 overall draft status in his one season with Indianapolis but his door on a return may not be closed yet. If it is, there are some fantastic potential franchise tackles in this class.

On the other hand, Mark Glowinski may have a greater opportunity at returning to Indy. Offensive guard may not be as high a priority as offensive tackle in the draft and free agency. Especially if the Colts forgo on re-signing Glowinski and Chris Reed. There are still plenty of pro-caliber prospects who could make a case.

First-round prospects may be another stretch for the Colts, guys like Abraham Lucas, Trevor Penning, and Bernhard Raimann could fall to the second round and would be solid contributions on the highly talented offensive line.

Pay attention to late-round prospects like Andrew Rupcich a small school prospect that can absolutely turn heads, Max Mitchell, a versatile tackle who spent a lot of his snaps on the right side of the line, and Tulsa’s Tyler Smith who held his own vs a stout Ohio State defense.

Defensive backs that Colts should watch

Although the corner class isn’t necessarily elite, the depth at the position is as deep as it gets. In this draft there is a plethora of three to four year starters.

Xavier Rhodes seemingly underperformed in 2021, and TJ Carrie showed minimum level ability outside of special teams. Both veterans are set to hit the open market.

Adding a corner to the defensive backfield to pair with rising star Rock Ya-Sin, is a priority. Gus Bradley may be able to squeeze a familiar face to Indy via Free Agency, but adding depth, especially with the number of injuries the secondary suffered, is equally important.

It seems the safety position is up for a shuffle as well. Andrew Sendejo somehow lucked his way into another roster spot in Indy in 21, after Julian Blackmon went down with an achillies injury. Jaheel Addae, another vet that found his way onto an NFL roster should also be on the move this off season.

George Odum is a player who’s noted to potentially return to the Colts, but getting another coverage guy on the back end to mellow the trio of Blackmon, Willis, and Odum would be ideal.

The Corners that stick out to me most are Joshua Williams (Fayetteville ST), Coby Bryant (Cincinnati ), and Roger McCreary (Auburn). Simply put, these guys are playmakers in the defensive backfield. Coming from a small school, Williams could slip into the later rounds unless his workouts are incredible.

Nick Cross (Maryland), Kerby Joseph (Illinois), and Verone McKinley III (Oregon) all contain different skillsets the Colts tend to chase. Joseph is the big hitter, McKinley is the straight cover guy, and Cross is a blend of both.

Pass rushers the Colts could add

Last year, the Colts spent back-to-back selections in the NFL draft on defensive ends Kwity Paye, and Dayo Odeyingbo. The preview of talent that we got out of both guys was decent at best. Indy’s pass rush was lack-luster as a whole and could use some new additions.

In my honest opinion, a veteran presence is more instrumental in providing game breaking difference on passing downs. You’re not getting a veteran in the draft, so free agency is definitely the way to go here. But, with that being said there are some rather standout guys to take a look at in the combine.

• Boye Mafe DE Minnesota
• Josh Paschal DE Kentucky
• Kingsley Enagbare DE South Carolina
• DeAngelo Malone DE Western Kentucky
• Logan Hall DE Houston
• Cameron Thomas DE San Diego State
• Drake Jackson DE USC

Outside of the projected first-round draft picks, these guys could fall into the draft in various rounds for Indianapolis. All players that could add depth and make a difference in the pass rush from the jump.

Mafe stood out in the Senior Bowl where he recorded 2.5 sacks. Logan Hall has the frame that could run splits inside as well, but seems to grade out as an edge rusher overall.

The Colts have a great advantage being able to scout these future NFL stars right in their back yard and should take advantage of every aspect that comes along with figuring out how to rebuild this roster to one that is Championship Caliber.

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