3 reasons Colts got it right by drafting JuJu Brents

The Indianapolis Colts have wrapped up the 2023 NFL Draft and were able to bring a local product back home. Here’s why Julius Brents was a great pick.

When Chris Ballard traded out of the No. 35 overall pick and gained some more draft capital, he knew his guy was going to be on the board. In return, the Indianapolis Colts received the No. 38 and the No. 141 overall picks. Ballard followed that up by trading back from pick No. 38 and received the No. 44 and No. 110 overall picks.

Two trades that allowed them to still get their guy on the board. Later on, there would be another move that sends No. 141 to the Vikings for the No. 158 and No. 211. By moving back nine spots in the second round, the Colts gained three draft picks that were used to select Adetomiwa Adebawore, Daniel Scott, and Titus Leo.

After two trade backs, the Indianapolis Colts were able to select CB Julius Brents (JuJu) out of Kansas State. The former Wildcat played for Iowa before transferring to K-State. But before that, the Hawkeye played at Warren Central in Indianapolis.

The Warrior has made his way back to Indianapolis after being drafted into the NFL by his hometown team. He stated in an introductory zoom press conference that he grew up wearing a Bob Sanders jersey, so now it's surreal to wear the horseshoe on Sundays.

Other than drafting a hometown kid, how did the Colts get this right with so many other talented cornerbacks, like Kelee Ringo, still on the board? Let’s take a look.

3. JuJu Brents is an elite athlete in the secondary

JuJu Brents is a protypical cornerback in a Gus Bradley defense. He's got long arms, can jam you at the line of scrimmage and is a ball hawk in the secondary. He's going to be one of the taller corners in the room, standing at 6-foot-3 while some of the players we know and love stand under 6'. Brents is going to be able to cover some of the bigger names in the league with his height and size.

Adding a player that is so physical and not afraid to make a hit that can play both safety and corner is going to add a lot of versatility in the Colts secondary that struggled so much last year.

Not to mention, Brents has the longest wing span in the draft. That, paired with his height will make it very hard to go over the top against him. Imagine the amount of interceptions and pass breakups that he will be able to make even if he does get beat by the receiver.

2. Julius Brents fits the mold for Gus Bradley

If there are two things you need to know about how Gus Bradley operates on defense, its that he likes to jam the receivers at the line and play a lot of match coverage that can sometimes look like man-to-man coverage in the secondary. This is a huge reason why a player like Kenny Moore regressed last year.

Kenny was getting used to playing more man-to-man instead of zone, which he has excelled at in the past. Another reason we saw more Brandon Facyson than Isaiah Rodgers last year as well. Bradley was comfortable with Brandon since he has been in his scheme before.

You want to talk about a player that jams a receiver and break up a play early, take a look at how Brents essentially stopped this receiver from running his route.

With plays like this, Brents has the ability to come in and make an immediate impact on the Colts defense. Not many are talking about it yet with some of the big names on defense that were selected in the first round, but he has a legitimate chance at being a top rookie defender in 2023.

Regardless of how the play above ended (it ended in a touchdown), Brents did his job to ensure that his guy was a non-factor in the player. This is a Gus Bradley style of player.

1. Favorites sell tickets, especially at home

Think about some of the past players in Indiana's history that came back to play for a professional team. The Pacers have had some good ones with Victor Oladipo (Indiana University), George Hill (Broad Ripple High School/IUPUI), and Jeff Teague (Pike High School). Fans get excited when they go to root on the "hometown hero."

The Colts haven't had as big of an opportunity in this department. However, this is not he first Warren Central graduate to suit up for the Indianapolis Colts. Both Jeff George (1990 1st-overall pick) and Darren Evans (2011 undrafted free agent) suited up with the Colts for a time.

Neither of them had a great career. In fact, the former Mr. Indiana and all-state running back never really got into a regular season game to be productive.

The Colts got it right this time, though. JuJu Brents has the ability to be the best Warrior to wear the horseshoe after being drafted in the second round. His immediate impact will drive jersey sales and possibly even ticket sales if he ends up doing really well early on.

Now, we all know that Anthony Richardson is going to be the main factor in driving ticket sales, but who says an impact defensive player can't also?

READ MORE: Anthony Richardson’s best college plays