NFL Draft primer: Colts’ top priority is surrounding Anthony Richardson with weapons

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2023 record: 9-8, missed playoffs

Draft picks per round

1st round: No. 15
2nd round: No. 46
3rd round: No. 82
4th round: No. 117
5th round: No. 151
6th round: No. 191
7th round: No. 234

With college basketball done, MLB Opening Day in the rearview mirror and The Masters still days away, attention is heating up on the NFL’s marquee offseason event. Let’s make our turn toward the NFL Draft. (Taylar Sievert/Yahoo Sports)

Top needs

Backup RB
Wide receiver
Safety
Cornerback
Defensive line/run stoppers
Tight end

The Colts stayed in-house to address their biggest needs by re-signing wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. and cornerback Kenny Moore II. They could look to the draft to continue adding at both positions.

On offense, surrounding second-year quarterback Anthony Richardson with weapons is a top priority, whether that’s adding another receiver to a strong room featuring Pittman and Josh Downs or a backfield running mate to Jonathan Taylor after the departure of Zack Moss. They’d be thrilled to add a top-tier tight end if one’s available at No. 15 (see below).

On defense, safety was a shaky position although they will re-sign Julian Blackmon, according to an ESPN report. Upgrading there and adding competition to the cornerbacks room would boost a middling pass defense. A run defense that ranked 24th last season also needs help.

Best first-round fits

Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia
Cooper DeJean, CB, Iowa
Jer’Zhan Newton, DT, Illinois

Best Day 2 fits

T.J. Tampa, CB, Iowa State
Mike Sainristil, CB, Michigan
Braden Fiske, DT, Florida State
Jaden Hicks, S, Washington State
T’Vondre Sweat, DT, Texas
Devontez Walker, WR, North Carolina
Jaylen Wright, RB, Tennessee
Blake Corum, RB, Michigan

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How they did last draft

The Colts earned an A and made one of the biggest splashes of the draft last season in selecting Richardson with the No. 4 pick. A tremendous athlete oozing with upside saw limited action last season before a shoulder injury ended his season early….

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Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl-draft-primer-colts-top-priority-is-surrounding-anthony-richardson-with-weapons-140056260.html

Author : Yahoo Sports

Publish date : 2024-04-09 14:00:56

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