The 2023 NFL Draft is right around the corner for the Indianapolis Colts, so who should the team avoid, and what scenarios may be possible?
The 2023 NFL Draft is just around the corner, and this could be a monumental one for the Indianapolis Colts. And after a four-win season, Chris Ballard is going to have a ton of pressure to create a quality draft for this squad. This team has plenty of needs, specifically at the quarterback position, and that choice by a team can have long-term effects that last plenty of years.
With knowing what this draft pool has, it is important to know who will not fit with your franchise, and with a new head coach in Shane Steichen, this new group of players will have to fit with his scheme. He will also be calling the plays, so acquiring a great franchise quarterback is crucial when it comes to ensuring this new coach will make a proper impact.
So when it comes to making a crucial decision, you also have to know who not to draft just as much as who you should draft in this situation. This is not meant to put down the players mentioned, and the choices as to who the Colts should avoid is scheme and fit based, rather than these players not having the talent, because these players can fit well with other teams.
Ballard has had solid drafts in the past throughout his tenure, but he will need to make sure this is one of the best, as the tide of the Colts as a franchise could be changed in just one day through this NFL Draft.
3. Colts should avoid C.J. Stroud, Quarterback, Ohio State
C.J. Stroud is a guy that some felt could be the absolute number one pick in this year's NFL Draft at one point, now that has trended towards Bryce Young. Stroud has not emerged as a guy that can make a lot work with nothing, while guys like Anthony Richardson have stepped up to be that.
While he will most likely have success at the NFL level, he has not shown a ton of mobility and improvisation that this Colts' system needs. If one is talking about Ohio State, the Colts may be better off snagging another receiver from that school in Jaxson Smith-Njigba, a player that could absolutely change an offense with his elite route-running.
Yes, Stroud was impressive against Georgia, and showed that he could play on the big stage, but it seems that Setichen is trying to recreate the offense that he had with the NFC Champion Philadelphia Eagles, and Richardson just seems to fit that better.
This team is going to need a quarterback who can be physical and take hits near the endzone on sneaks when the time comes for that, and there are better options than Stroud in this draft and the next to accomplish that.
While the sky will not fall in Indianapolis if Stroud is the fourth player off the board, the Colts should still look elsewhere here.
2. Colts should avoid Quentin Johnston, Wide Receiver, TCU
Quentin Johnston has all the perfect measurables that most people would look for when it comes to selecting a wide receiver in the NFL Draft. However, it all comes down to putting it all together, and it may take a bit for Johnston to go ahead and do that.
This offense is going to rely on speedy receivers, and the league has seen more elite route runners succeed rather than guys who maybe need to work in that area. Players like Justin Jefferson, Stefon Diggs and Cooper Kupp are all elite route runners, and Johnston has been more of a vertical threat style of receiver.
While he will make big plays at the next level, it just comes down to where would this team put Johnston in this offense? Michael Pittman has been a big-time threat, and this team already took a receiver in Alec Pierce to fill a big need for this team.
While the prospect of having a big-play threat down the field is absolutely attractive, there are other areas of need for this team to look at if there is a trade down scenario for the Colts.
1. Colts should avoid Will Levis, Quarterback, Kentucky
If Will Levis is the fourth pick in the NFL Draft, the Indianapolis Colts may be drafting another quarterback once the next draft cycle comes along. Now, Levis is not a guaranteed bust, but the Colts need a quarterback who can produce by yesterday, and he needs a bit more time to develop his accuracy.
Levis probably has the best arm in terms of pure talent in this year's NFL Draft cycle, but that accuracy is not where NFL teams want it to be yet, so he becomes a project quarterback. The Indianapolis Colts are not at all in a position to develop a project quarterback, unless they go the veteran route and let someone else start out the year.
Levis can either be Josh Allen or Josh Rosen, and that all depends on where he ends up, and what the fit will end up being. The Colts do not have the talent as of yet to let a guy like Levis wait in the wings and make an impact a few years down the line.
Now, there are scenarios where drafting Levis goes well, and that is if he is able to go the Allen route. He has also shown solid running ability early in his college career, but toned it down most likely so he could avoid injury and keep his stock high.
Some players do just need to get thrown to the fire, and if Levis is that kind of player, then he may find success with this team. And if the Levis led colts are bad enough, then there may be a chance they get the prime opportunity to select USC quarterback Caleb WIliams in the following draft.
Time will tell though, and Ballard should be trusted to make the best possible decision.