Horseshoe Heroes
FanSided

Colts have two promising young corners but are still planning to add competition

The Indianapolis Colts saw promising play from two rookie cornerbacks this season but the team isn’t satisfied with the current cornerback room.

By Jaleel Grandberry

Dec 31, 2023; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indianapolis Colts cornerback JuJu Brents (29) celebrates
Dec 31, 2023; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indianapolis Colts cornerback JuJu Brents (29) celebrates / Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
facebooktwitterreddit

In the 2023 NFL Draft, the Indianapolis Colts selected three cornerbacks. That would prove to be necessary after the team traded Stephon Gilmore, released Isaiah McKenzie Sr. who was suspended indefinitely, and lost Dallis Flowers early in the year to an Achilles injury. The result was two rookie corners playing in a ton of games.

Of the three corners, only two, JuJu Brents and Jaylon Jones made the roster. They would eventually become Indy’s starting duo. Jones played in all 17 games, starting 10. In those games, Jones recorded 44 tackles and five pass deflections. Brents, who had to overcome several injuries, only played in nine games. He still recorded 43 tackles, six pass deflections, and forced and recovered a fumble.

While there were some growing pains, both young corners offered solid play, providing promise for their future. However, the Colts aren’t going into the offseason with a satisfied mentality about the cornerback position. Even with Dallis Flowers set to return, general manager Chris Ballard made it clear that the team will be adding corners this offseason.

Colts will add corners in the offseason

During his end-of-season press conference, Ballard made it clear that he thinks highly of both JuJu Brents and Jaylon Jones. However, Ballard went on to say that the team will add more corners to the mix because competition is healthy and good for everybody. However, it wasn’t clear how exactly Indy plans on adding corners. Will they go after veterans in free agency or return to the draft?

Several draft analysts believe the Colts, who have the 15th-overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, could target one of the corners that made up Alabama’s cornerback duo. Kool-Aid McKinstry and Terrion Arnold are both expected to go in the top 20. They also both have the kind of talent that could make them immediate contributors in the NFL. If the Colts add one of them, or any first-round corner, things will certainly heat up in Indy’s secondary.

READ MORE

feed

Home/Colts News