Intriguing draft prospects that could be added to Colts defensive line in 2024

As the 2023 NFL season begins to wind down, it’s quietly time to start looking ahead at the 2024 NFL Draft. The Indianapolis Colts are in the playoff race, so the draft is definitely secondary, however, it’s never too early for Indy to have its eyes on some prospects.

General manager Chris Ballard loves to build his teams on the line of scrimmage, and although the defensive line has been playing well as of late, Indy could still use a star edge rusher. So this will be our look into what might be on the horizon in the 2024 NFL Draft, as the team looks to build on its unexpected success of this current season.

Colts should be watching Florida State EDGE Jared Verse

Jared Verse is an athletic edge defender that has been all over draft boards. Some mock drafts have him as a top 10 pick and some have him as a late first-round pick. Regardless of where you think he will be drafted, the Colts should, without question, have interest in his talents.

Chris Ballard loves guys with size and Verse at 6-foot-4 and 250 pounds meets that requirement. From the current eye test, he has speed, explosiveness, and experience, but, the question is always can that translate to NFL success? That will be the question for Ballard and the scouts to decide.

Verse and the Florida State Seminoles will play for the ACC Championship on Saturday with a chance to play for the College Football Playoff if they can beat Louisville. Another prospect that Indy should have its eyes on will also be playing in a conference championship.

Colts should be watching Washington EDGE Bralen Trice

The second-year starter at Washington is not a finished product but has great potential. Most draft boards have Bralen Trice at the end of the first round or early second round. With the Colts most likely drafting towards the middle to end of the first round, he could be a more realistic candidate for Indy than Jared Verse.

Trice has the athleticism and coachable abilities to be a successful three-down player in the NFL. A similar build to Verse, selecting Trice would hit a position of need for the Colts. Trice did see a bit of a letdown in sacks this year, recording just five this season, where he had ten in 2022. The Washington Huskies will play in the PAC-12 title game against the Oregon Ducks, where he can showcase his talent and potentially secure more games if they beat Oregon and head to the College Football Playoff.

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