The Indianapolis Colts' priorities were certainly in check during the NFL draft, as they went all defense in the first six rounds. Drafting CJ Allen and Bryce Boettcher at linebacker were two of their better moves (Allen was their best overall), and A.J. Haulcy at safety was also a solid pick, despite safety not necessarily being a dire need to fill.
The grades for Allen, Boettcher, and Haulcy are the highest of all eight players the Colts selected, and all three are expected to play consistent roles in their rookie seasons. Those three players, including the other three that Indianapolis selected with their first six picks, Jalen Farmer, George Gumbs Jr., and Caden Curry, were all defensive picks.
It was in the final two rounds where Colts general manager Chris Ballard finally went offense, and at the end of the day, the grades for both players are fairly close to each other. Drafted for depth purposes, wide receiver Deion Burks and running back Seth McGowen will each have a chance to make good on their grade or earn the right to improve it.
Grading the Indianapolis Colts' offensive draft picks Deion Burks and Seth McGowen
Seth McGowen, RB: Grade B-
McGowen walks into a running back room crowded with depth players, like himself. Behind Jonathan Taylor, DJ Giddens is listed as the No. 2 rusher on the Colts depth chart, and he'll likely enter next season as Taylor's primary backup. Behind Giddens is Ulysses Bentley IV, and newly added undrafted free agent Anderson Castle.
Where McGowen fits in that lineup is uncertain right now, of course, but he will be allowed to climb over at least Castle and Bentley. McGowen will be an older rookie at 24 next season, but his experience can be to his advantage when competing for a running back spot.
In his final season with the Kentucky Wildcats, McGowen rushed for 725 yards and 12 touchdowns on 165 carries. McGowen could wind up being the Colts' No.3 rusher behind Taylor and Giddens, provided he uses his experience to his advantage. McGowan averaged 3.22 yards after contact, showing a strong ability to stay on his feet and maintain balance at the point of contact.
Deion Burks, WR: Grade A
As a seventh-round pick, Burks might find it hard to move up the depth chart to make a big enough difference, as wide receivers taken that late in the NFL usually fall through the cracks once they make it into the league. That said, Burks was a high-value pick for the Colts nonetheless.
Burks was one of the fastest players in this year's draft class, running a 4.3 at the combine, and his skill at cutting and breaking, along with his ability to accelerate quickly and stop on a dime, could make him an extremely valuable contributor to the Colts' offense.
Burks could end up higher on the Colts' wide receiver depth chart in due time, given his skill set and the speed at which he can operate.
He might not have the biggest catch radius as a 5-foot-10 wideout with below 30” arms, but his athleticism and flexibility can help balance that out. On top of that, Burks showed at both Purdue and Oklahoma that he can play both outside and slot positions, giving the Colts some versatility.
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