Ben Arthur
AFC South Reporter
What a difference a season makes for the Colts.
At this time last year, Indianapolis was still in quarterback purgatory, searching for optimism after a disastrous 4-12-1 campaign.
Now, the Colts have who they believe is their franchise quarterback in Anthony Richardson, coaching stability with Shane Steichen and legitimate hopes to be an AFC playoff contender in 2024. Despite losing Richardson early last season due to a shoulder injury, plus a slew of other injuries and absences by key contributors, that team went 9-8 and was one win away from the postseason.
The Colts enter 2024 with needs in the secondary and at wide receiver, but with plenty of cap space to address holes in free agency. They rank seventh in the league with $49.2 million in 2024 salary cap space, per overthecap.com. They’re in good enough shape to go best available with the 15th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
So who should be on Indianapolis’ radar? Here are six first-round prospects to watch for the Colts:
Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia
Measurables: 6-foot-3, 243 pounds
2023 stats (10 games): 56 receptions for 714 yards and 6 TDs
The Colts have youth and depth at tight end, but no one who’s an established No. 1 option.
Former third-round pick Jelani Woods missed all of last season on injured reserve. Kylen Granson is more of a possession tight end. Mo Alie-Cox, who turns 31 in September, is best known for in-line blocking. Will Mallory, a fifth-round pick last year, flashed pass-catching potential as a rookie but is low on the pecking order. Then there’s Drew Ogletree, who’s on the commissioner’s exempt list.
Bowers may not make it to 15 — he’s No. 5 on FOX Sports’ NFL Draft prospect list — but Indianapolis shouldn’t think twice if he’s available. He’s widely considered to be a generational prospect at the tight end position. Bowers would provide a much-needed security blanket for Richardson, and give…
Source link : https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/who-will-colts-pick-at-no-15-overall-six-prospects-who-make-the-most-sense
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Publish date : 2024-03-07 22:37:49
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