The Indianapolis Colts have gotten familiar with a lot of prospects ahead of the Draft and these are names that are on Indy’s radar.
The 2022 NFL Draft is just a few days away. The party gets started on Thursday, April 28, but the Indianapolis Colts aren’t scheduled to arrive until Friday.
That is when the second round starts, where Indy’s first pick is scheduled for No. 42 overall. With that pick, most expect the Colts to select a receiver.
However, Indianapolis hasn’t really made its direction clear and it’s hard to predict since Indy’s first pick is so late and it’s a few positions that need to be addressed.
The Colts did meet with a ton of prospects leading up to the Draft and it’s likely those are the players Indy is zeroing in on as the weekend approaches.
To get an idea of what players may soon be coming to Indianapolis, we gathered a list of all the prospects that Indy met with in some capacity leading up to the Draft.
These meetings could’ve been private workouts, top-30 visits, Combine meetings, virtual calls, etc. There are also some players that the Colts have not had an official meeting with but they are no-brainer prospects.
All the players combined are probably what Indy’s Draft big board looks like for this week, so here’s a look.
Colts didn’t meet with many running backs or linemen
There was no reporting of Indianapolis meeting with any running backs, which makes sense because Indy already has the best running back in the NFL. They also have Nyheim Hines, who needs to be involved more, so Indy is unlikely to select a running back.
The Colts will, however, probably draft a lineman at some point but they didn’t meet with many. The only documented visit was with UConn tackle, Ryan Van Demark.
Indy has been linked to obvious talents like Bernhard Raimann and Trevor Penning, so don’t be shocked if one of those names is called by Indianapolis.
Colts made tight end a priority and did due diligence at quarterback
Indianapolis traded for Matt Ryan to be the team’s starting quarterback for the next two seasons but he is 37, so the team understands they still have to find a quarterback of the future.
That is why Indy met with a few quarterback prospects that may be available for them. Some experts think the Colts will select a QB at No. 42 but that’s unlikely. Indianapolis did do its due diligence anyway.
Quarterbacks on Colts board
- Malik Willis, Liberty
- Desmond Ridder, Cincinnati
- Sam Howell, North Carolina
Tight end is a position that Indianapolis needs to address urgently. Jack Doyle retired this offseason and Indy only has Mo Alie-Cox and Kylen Granson. While both are improving, neither has established themselves as a major threat.
That’s probably why Indy invested a lot of time getting to know this tight end class. In total, they were connected to five tight ends by visits, workouts, and meetings.
Tight Ends on Colts board
- Isaiah Likely, Coastal Carolina
- Jelani Woods, Virginia
- Greg Dulcich, UCLA
- Jalen Wydermeyer, Texas A&M
- Grant Calcaterra, SMU
Wide receiver was an obvious point of emphasis for Colts
This is the position that most people expect Indianapolis to address first and the most throughout the Draft. Indy’s wide receiver room is a big unknown entity right now and it needs new talent.
As much as Chris Ballard and Frank Reich express the belief in the younger guys on the roster, they understand that they need to hit on a receiver in this Draft.
Ideally, the Colts will be the next team that selects a rookie receiver that immediately establishes himself in the NFL and helps the team win.
While that is ultimately the goal, Indy didn’t meet with many of the high-profile receivers. The biggest names that Indianapolis had documented meetings with were Treylon Burks and David Bell. However, it’s safe to assume guys like Christian Watson and George Pickens are on Indy’s radar.
Receivers on Colts Board
- Christian Watson, NDSU
- George Pickens, Georgia
- David Bell, Purdue
- Treylon Burks, Arkansas
- Velus Jones Jr., Tennessee
- Samori Toure, Nebraska
- Romeo Doubs, Nevada
- Danny Gray, SMU
Colts want depth on the defensive line
Indianapolis has struggled to generate a consistent pass rush the last few seasons and that was evident in the team’s moves over the past year.
Indy selected pass rushers with its first two picks in last year’s Draft and traded for Yannick Ngakoue this offseason. They should be set from a starter standpoint but Ballard has emphasized that a pass rush is best when it has depth.
He has expressed that he would like for the Colts to have at least eight defensive linemen that can all play at a high level and that would explain why they met with 11 defensive linemen.
Defensive linemen on Colts board
- DeAngelo Malone, Western Kentucky
- DeMarvin Leal, Texas A&M
- Jayden Peevy, Texas A&M
- Luiji Vilain, Wake Forest
- Eric Johnson, Missouri State
- David Anenih, Houston
- Esezi Otomewo, Minnesota
- Thomas Booker, Stanford
- Michael Clemons, Texas A&M
- Glen Logan, LSU
- Alex Wright, UAB
Indianapolis has the best linebacker in football in Darius Leonard and also an emerging star in Bobby Okereke. Along with Zaire Franklin, Indy doesn’t have much need for a linebacker. That’s why they only met with a few.
Linebackers on Colts board
- Devin Harper, Oklahoma State
- Jaylin Thomas, Ball State
- Aaron Hansford, Texas A&M
- Khalan Tolson, Illinois
Defensive back need not as urgent for Colts anymore
Earlier in the offseason, Indianapolis had a major opening at cornerback and a need for depth at safety. Xavier Rhodes left in free agency and Rock Ya-Sin was traded for Yannick Ngakoue.
That explains why the Colts met with 13 corners and two safeties. However, Indy has recently signed Stephon Gilmore, Brandon Facyson, Rodney McLeod, and Armani Watts.
However, Indianapolis still needs depth and the secondary is a position group that can always be added to. It’s likely that Indy still calls one of these names during Draft weekend, especially in the later rounds on day three.
Defensive backs on Colts Board
- Tariq Woolen, UTSA
- Smoke Monday, Auburn
- Kalon Barnes, Baylor
- Cordale Flott, LSU
- Deane Leonard, Ole Miss
- Christian Matthew, Valdosta State
- Christian Holmes, Oklahoma State
- DaRon Bland, Fresno State
- Isaac Taylor-Stuart, USC
- Tony Adams, Illinois
- Faion Hicks, Wisconsin
- Jaylin Williams, Indiana
- Marcel Dabo, ELF
- Kerby Joseph, Illinois
- La’Kendrick Van Zandt, TCU
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