5 cornerback prospects that are great fits for the Colts

One of the bigger needs for the Indianapolis Colts is cornerback. Here are five cornerback prospects in the 2023 NFL Draft that would be great fits for Indy.

The Indianapolis Colts' positional needs have, as expected, changed from the season's conclusion throughout free agency. With it, a position thought to be dealt with in next year's offseason has skyrocketed to the top of the needs list: cornerback. Aside from quarterback of course.

Seasoned Veteran Stephon Gilmore was traded just weeks ago to the Dallas Cowboys for a fifth-round pick. The former DPOY was dealt because of reasons that are twofold. The first being the biggest factor in all of this, the fact Gilmore had originally landed in Indy to join a contending team. An unforeseen rebuild had presented itself midway through the 2022 season, and now the Colts are far from Super Bowl contention.

Secondly, Gilmore's cap hit ($9.9M) was something the Indy brass felt was worth getting off the books. With it, an eventful truce has been made. Chris Ballard and Co. have honored Gilmore's initial wish(es) and now both parties are better off because of it.

Although the organization has recouped its losses from the Gilmore deal, the future is now. GM Chris Ballard and Co. will continue looking for a strong-side CB to fit DC Gus Bradley's build preferences and schematic needs.

With the NFL Draft kicking off on Thursday, April 27, I look to determine, by projected draft range, exactly who fits the new timeline at cornerback, both schematically and physically. This is by no means a prospect-fit ranking, but rather a list of five CBs who fit what Chris Ballard and Gus Bradley are looking for.

End of 1st/Top of 2nd Fringe

Cam Smith has been highly regarded as a player since High School where he ended up being the fourth-best CB in 247sports' 2019 Recruiting Class. He was a three-year starter in the SEC for the Gamecocks and quickly blossomed into a lockdown corner during his time there.

He is certainly more of a true lockdown corner as opposed to being a ballhawk. When there's a play to be made, Smith often elects to go for the more efficient swat down instead of the INT. This is intended to show that he possesses a high football IQ more than deem him to be something he's not.

Pair this calm-demeanored practice with the fact he's among the best, if not the best, man-corner in the entire class and you've got yourself a solid fit for a strong-side cornerback in Gus Bradley's defense. If the once lottery-mocked Cam Smith falls to the Colts at pick 35, you'd have to think Ballard and Bradley would be running up the draft card.