Early Colts 3-round 2024 NFL mock draft: Which prospects will make Indy a contender?
The Indianapolis Colts are halfway through the 2023 NFL season, so it’s a great time to look ahead at some potential prospects Indy could select in 2024.
The Indianapolis Colts are sitting at 5-5 and are in the midst of the playoff hunt in the AFC, but scouts are already thinking about the future. What could that mean for general manager Chris Ballard and Indianapolis? Heading into 2024, it's clear that the Colts are not as desperate in many positions as they were heading into 2023. For one, they have their franchise QB after drafting Anthony Richardson, a weapon in the receiver room with Josh Downs, and some key younger pieces that just need to get on the field.
Is this a retool draft or is Ballard going to continue building depth through the draft? Maybe it's a mixture of both. Maybe the Colts won't even have Chris Ballard in 2024 if they part ways after the 2023 season. The ladder is less-likely considering even without Anthony Richardson, the Colts are sitting at .500 and have a chance at a playoff run.
Before the NFL Combine, College Pro Days, and even the end of the NFL and college football seasons, let's look at what the first three rounds could turn up in the draft for Indianapolis.
Indianapolis Colts select WR Keon Coleman with the 15th overall pick
435. Florida State. 15. Coleman. . QB. Keon Coleman. . Keon Coleman. player
This is a pick that I contemplated for a while. What do the Colts do with their first pick in the NFL Draft? Do they take a wide receiver to pair with Michael Pittman Jr. (if he returns) and Josh Downs? Do they go for the top cornerback on the board? Do they even trade the pick and get a bunch of picks to build on?
The other pick that was considered right before Keon Coleman was selected was Kool-Aid McKinstry from Alabama. Kool-Aid would be a great cornerback to add to the Colts secondary that was decimated by injuries this season. However, the Colts adding Keon Coleman adds such an electric presence to the offense that will make the Indy offense hard to keep down. Coleman is a physical player that can make plays to get the ball and in the open field.
2024 NFL Draft Prospect Preview 📝
— Joe O’Leary (@TheHQNerd) November 9, 2023
Keon Coleman WR Florida State
Age 20 6’4 215
‘22 Stats 58/798/7
‘23 Stats 38/538/9 (8 GMS)
✅ True Soph Breakout
✅ Freaky Athlete
✅ Ball Skills
✅ Compact Frame
✅ Catch Point Theatrics
✅ Projected 1st Round Pick
pic.twitter.com/qoqa3Ie0wz
As much as I would love to see a secondary player picked here, the Colts can not pass up on a talent like Keon Coleman. We'd all love Marvin Harrison Jr. to come home to Indianapolis, but Coleman is not a bad option.