The 2024 NFL Draft saw the Indianapolis Colts add talent all over the board, beginning with a guy they believe could finally give them a premier pass rusher in this league, UCLA's Laiatu Latu.
Latu is just one of nine overall draft picks for the Colts this year, but Indianapolis still has room to fill out some areas of their roster, even after compiling a fairly impressive draft class.
Where do the Colts look to, now, in order to fill out their roster?
The Colts could fill in the gaps with one of a few key, veteran free agents still available
Stephon Gilmore, CB
Surprisingly, the Colts didn't address the cornerback position until later on in the draft. But, there are still some viable options in free agency, including a guy the Colts are familiar with. Former NFL Defensive Player of the Year Stephon Gilmore spent the 2022 season with Indy after having gone to four-straight Pro Bowls. He played well for a Dallas defense last season that lost Trevon Diggs early in the year, and was a big reason why that unit enjoyed success.
Xavien Howard, CB
Another veteran corner looking for a job, Xavien Howard is available and has recently told teams he's been fully cleared after dealing with a foot injury. Howard is a former All Pro and could very well come in and start for this defense from Day 1, assuming he's completely healthy. Howard made his fourth career Pro Bowl just recently back in 2022.
Robert Tonyan, TE
Tight end has been a mixed bag for the Colts, for a while now, and they're simply looking for some consistency at the position. Could Jelani Woods be the guy they're looking for as the TE1? Is Kylen Granson finally going to come into his own? Will Mo Alie-Cox have anything left to offer?
In effort to find some sort of consistency, here, going out and signing veteran Robert Tonyan might be worth it. At the very least, bringing him into the offseason program and seeing what he's got left could give that room a lift.
Cam Akers, RB
The Colts' depth chart, at running back, doesn't have a whole lot behind Jonathan Taylor. Evan Hull might be the answer at RB2, but then it gets muddy. Indianapolis has Tyler Goodson, Trey Sermon and Zavier Scott as the next men up. At this point, why not kick the tires on Cam Akers, who is only about to turn 25 with four years of experience?
Akers hasn't panned out the way many thought he would, but the former second-round pick has plenty of tread on the tires still, and could be a viable backup to Taylor if he's truly looking to extend his career.