Grading all eight picks by the Colts in the 2022 NFL Draft

The Indianapolis Colts selected eight players in the 2022 NFL Draft and here are immediate grades for each of Indy’s selections.

After much anticipation, the three days of the 2022 NFL Draft are over. 262 players were selected and teams have already begun signing undrafted free agents.

The Indianapolis Colts drafted eight players, four on offense and four on defense. They have also already signed several undrafted free agents.

Overall, the Colts had a really good draft. They were able to address several positions of need, build depth, and bring in players that could be immediate contributors and long-term impact players.

Let’s go through all eight selections and grade the pick for Indianapolis.

Colts draft WR Alec Pierce at No. 53: B+

Alec Pierce was Indy’s first selection and will fulfill a need for more receivers. While he was a good and necessary pick for Indianapolis, the selection receives a B+ for a few reasons.

The good, Pierce is a big and athletic receiver that should be another consistent target in Indy’s offense. He’s 6-foot-3 and runs a 4.41 40-yard dash with a 40.5 inch-vertical.

That shows itself on Pierce’s college tape that is filled with downfield jump balls. Pierce proved himself as a receiver that can make contested catches and hopefully that carries over.

What’s keeping the selection from being in the A range? Well, Pierce doesn’t provide the Colts with much variety in the styles of the presumed top two receivers.

Like Pierce, Indy’s top receiver, Michael Pittman Jr., is a big-bodied possession receiver. The spectacular part of Pierce’s game is his ability to high point balls over defenders.

He didn’t show much elite route running or yards after catch ability like a prospect like Skyy Moore, who went one spot after Pierce was selected.

Ideally, Moore and Pittman seemed like a great pairing just because of the differences in skillset. However, Pierce was still a great pick for Indianapolis and if he can bring his contested deep ball catching ability to the league, it would greatly benefit Indy’s offense.

Colts draft TE Jelani Woods at No. 73: A

Entering the NFL Draft, Jelani Woods was one of the most exciting prospects in the Draft. That has a lot to do with his size, speed, and athleticism.

He’s a 6-foot-7 tight end that weighs 259 pounds and runs a 4.61 40-yard dash. There’s a case that he’s one of the most athletic tight end prospects ever.

Woods is still relatively new to the tight end position, entering college as a quarterback, but that didn’t stop him from having a breakout season in his final year.

Woods caught 44 passes for 598 yards and eight touchdowns during his 2021 season at Virginia.

He will give the Colts depth at the tight end position and the potential to have a big-time receiving threat at tight end. Neither Mo Alie-Cox nor Kylen Granson has established themselves as dominant receiving tight ends.

With Woods’ size, athleticism, and room for growth, he has the chance to be a huge target for Matt Ryan and the offense.

Colts draft LT Bernhard Raimann at No. 77: A+

Indianapolis may have found its long-term left tackle in the third round after some thought Bernhard Raimann could’ve gone in the first. That alone makes this a phenomenal pick for Indy.

Raimann transitioned from a tight end to a tackle just two years ago and immediately adjusted well to the position. While already being good, it’s possible that he could become even better.

The fact that Indy was able to select Raimann in the third after already addressing the pass-catching positions makes him a great value pick with incredible upside.

Colts draft S Nick Cross at No. 96: A

The first defensive selection for Indy in the 2022 Draft was safety, Nick Cross, from Maryland. Cross was another good pick for Indianapolis.

The Colts lacked depth between the two safety spots and drafting Cross will help that. Cross is a really fast safety that can come downhill and tackle and also roam the secondary to defend the pass.

At this point in the Draft, the best two safeties remaining were Cross and Kerby Joseph from Illinois, who went one spot later. The players are pretty closely graded so either or would’ve been a good pick.

Colts draft DT Eric Johnson at No. 159: B-

Eric Johnson was a good depth selection because he is great against the run, and that’s needed in Indy’s division. However, he was underwhelming as a pass rusher while playing at the FCS Missouri State.

Colts draft TE Andrew Ogletree at No. 192: C

Drafting an athletic 6-foot-5, 261-pound tight end in the sixth round seems like a great idea and a relatively good pick. However, the quality of the pick is sullied since Indy already took Jelani Woods and has Mo Alie-Cox and Kylen Granson.

Andrew Ogletree has tremendous upside, but it’s worth asking what can he provide Indianapolis. Will Indy carry four tight ends or will there be a battle between Granson, Woods, and Ogletree for the second and third tight end spots?

Colts draft DT Curtis Brooks at No. 216: A

Another interior defensive line selection that will provide Indianapolis with depth. Curtis Brooks has the potential to be the steal of the Draft. He was great against the run at Cincinnati and could become a relentless pass rusher as well.

Colts draft DB Rodney Thomas II at No. 239: B

For Indianapolis’ final pick, it went to the Ivy League to select Rodney Thomas II from Yale. This was a good seventh-round selection for the Colts because Thomas is a versatile defensive back.

He can play corner and safety and if he makes Indianapolis’ roster, he will provide depth at multiple positions in the secondary. The league has shown that you can never have enough good defensive backs.

Bernhard Raimann had a unique path to the Colts

Third-round pick of the Indianapolis Colts, Bernhard Raimann, had a unique journey to the NFL. Here’s how Raimann found his way to Indy.