Need #3: Quarterback
This is a sneaky need for this team if you dive a little deeper. This season will have an “open competition” between Anthony Richardson and Daniel Jones. As they say, if you have two quarterbacks, you don’t have stability. With this being a make-or-break season for this front office and coaching staff, having a fallback plan will be needed if both quarterbacks fail and they blow it up next year.
Tyler Shough/Louisville - A different name than most have talked about with Indianapolis. Most have discussed Texas QB Quinn Ewers, as the Colt brought him in for a combine interview and, reportedly, a Top 30 visit as well. Shough missed time in his college career with injuries, but was able to get a full uninterrupted season at Louisville and put up some impressive numbers, throwing for 3,195 yards with 31 TDs and only 6 INTs. He is a bit older at 25, but was well-coached at Louisville under Jeff Brohm. All 32 NFL teams attended his Pro Day, and the Colts could have interest for a Day 2 or early Day 3 pick.
Need #4: Offensive Line
I might be in the minority on this, but I believe the Colts need to add some depth in the draft, it should not be as high as some think. I know the future of Braden Smith is uncertain after this season, and the loss of Will Fries needs attention. The franchise drafted Matt Goncalves last season with a 3rd round pick. This implies hope that he can be an impact player quickly. The Colts did re-sign both Wesley French and Danny Pinter to help the interior line depth. There is some uncertainty on whether Blake Freeland and Dalton Tucker will be serviceable depth pieces. That seems to be where they may need to use some draft capital to supplement these potential holes. I feel like the Colts have the pieces on the line to have a successful season, as Goncalves is the true puzzle piece.
Josh Carlin/UCLA - A recent report from Justin Melo of The Draft Network states that the Colts have had a meeting with Carlin at the Tropical Bowl. If he is drafted, it would be in the very late rounds of the draft. He has had multiple interviews with a few teams, and maybe that drives his stock up a bit. He has the size (6’5 315) and versatility (played both center and guard) that Ballard craves in his linemen. He loves to use the “swing tackle” phrase, and that’s exactly what Carlin is.