6 potential late-round steals that should be on the Colts radar
Steals Colts can find in Round 7
Currently, the Indianapolis Colts do not have a pick in the sixth round so we now jump to Round 7. With that being said, Starling Thomas V could be taken in the sixth round instead but Indy could jump early on him to ensure they land him.
. EDGE | Appalachian State. . 46. . Nick Hampton. 7. player
Nick Hampton is the idea of an underdog when you look at his time playing football. He left high school as a two-star recruit. He made it to Appalachian State and redshirted his freshman season adding muscle to his then 210-pound frame and preparing for what lied ahead. Fast forward to his senior season where he was named a team captain and finished his time at App State tied for fourth all-time in program history with 26.5 sacks.
He now weighs in at 236 pounds at 6-foot-2. His arm length measured 33 5/8" and his hand size is 9 1/2". His 40-yard dash time of 4.58 seconds tied for 11th out of edge rushers at the 2023 NFL combine. His vertical jump of 35.5" ranked seventh amongst the position group.
Count me in on Nick Hampton (no. 9) as a stand up rotational rusher
— Connor Rogers (@ConnorJRogers) April 18, 2023
Love the speed he plays with and how he maximizes the length he has https://t.co/4GhykiRZJx pic.twitter.com/CnPfGMsF1Y
Hampton will continue to add muscle mass but could contribute early as a pass-rusher. He has great bend on the edge and can impress early by getting to the quarterback. Something the Colts have lacked in recent seasons. He could be another welcomed addition to a young, developing defensive line in Indianapolis.
. . LB | Florida. 7. 46. . Ventrell Miller. player
Another prospect on the defensive side to look out for in the closing round of the 2023 NFL Draft is Ventrell Miller out of Florida. The Colts still have a solid linebacking core despite losing Bobby Okereke to the New York Giants this offseason. Miller will be added depth in a room that could provide some early opportunities to contribute. Indianapolis has already met with Miller and expressed some interest.
This 6-foot-0, 232-pound linebacker has played in over 40 career games for the Gators amassing more than 240 tackles in his career. He has been described as having a high football IQ and great instincts to respond to blocks and schemes. Miller isn't afraid to get physical and plays a downhill in the run game.
Florida ILB Ventrell Miller has some wheels. Also great ball-tracking and instincts on this pick-six. #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/oucIea66qI
— WBG84 (@WBG84) April 12, 2023
He could improve in his pass coverage, but having the instincts to identify and respond to plays goes a long way in helping that. His lack of athleticism is a concern but he more than makes up for that in the mental side of the game. Miller would be able to grow and develop on the Colts without the expectation of making an immediate impact.
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