WalterFootball.com: NFL Draft Grades - Indianapolis Colts

2023 Pick 4. (R:1 P:4) - Anthony Richardson, QB, Florida A- Many had Will Levis mocked to the Colts, but Charlie Campbell reported that Indianapolis wasn't really interested. Anthony Richardson is a better fit for the Colts' offense. He also has a higher floor because of his Justin Fields-type rushing ability. The Colts had to draft a franchise quarterback, and Richardson is a far superior choice compared to Levis.

2023 Pick 35. (R:2 P:4) - Michael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame A The Raiders lost their top two tight ends from last year, including Darren Waller, who was traded to the Giants. They had a huge void at the position, but that's no longer the case. Michael Mayer is a steal here, as he could have gone in the late teens or early 20s without any complaints.

2023 Pick 79. (R:3 P:16) - Josh Downs, WR, North Carolina A The Colts lost Parris Campbell, so it makes sense that they'd go after a slot receiver. He's a talented player who easily could have gone off the board a round earlier than this. I'm a big fan of this selection.

2023 Pick 106. (R:4 P:4) - Blake Freeland, OT, BYU
A The Colts' offensive line is not what it once was. Their blocking was poor at times last year, so offensive line help was needed with Anthony Richardson now under center. Blake Freeland is a very athletic tackle with tons of upside. He could have easily gone a round earlier than this.

2023 Pick 138. (R:5 P:3) - Darius Rush, CB, South Carolina
A+ I love this pick. The Colts really needed another cornerback, and Darius Rush provides great value as a prospect I had in my third round. He's a big and fast cornerback with plenty of potential.

2023 Pick 162. (R:5 P:27) - Will Mallory, TE, Miami
C It makes sense that the Colts would add a tight end to provide competition at the position. Will Mallory is a gifted athlete, but disappointed during his time in Miami. Perhaps the Colts can coach him up

2023 Pick 176. (R:5 P:41) - Evan Hull, RB, Northwestern
B- I don't think the Colts really needed another running back, but Evan Hull is a solid prospect at this spot of the draft. He's a tough runner who will give maximum effort. Perhaps he'll be able to emerge as a No. 2 back one day.

2023 Pick 221. (R:7 P:4) - Jaylon Jones, CB, Texas A&M
A+ Jaylon Jones is an instinctive cornerback with good speed and athleticism. He also provides major value for a Colts team that really needed cornerback help. I had Jones in the third round, so I love this value.

2023 Pick 236. (R:7 P:19) - Jake Witt, OT, Michigan Tech
B Jake Witt was drawing some late interest as a final-round pick, so I'm not surprised to see him be drafted at this spot. Jake Witt is a lengthy and athletic lineman, but needs to get much stronger for the pros.

2022 Pick 53. (R:2 P:21) - Alec Pierce, WR, Cincinnati A- Grade
Alec Pierce fits what the Colts look for in receivers, as far as height and athleticism is concerned. This pick is no surprise, given that T.Y. Hilton is on his way out. Pierce is a solid value here, as he easily could've gone a bit earlier than this.

2022 Pick 73. (R:3 P:9) - Jelani Woods, TE, Virginia
B+ Grade
Another weapon for Matt Ryan certainly makes sense, especially after the Colts lost Jack Doyle to retirement this offseason. Jelani Woods is a raw, one-year wonder, but he's unbelievably athletic and has the potential to turn into a star. He also has a low floor, but teams need to take risks to win Super Bowls. I like this pick.

2022 Pick 77. (R:3 P:13) - Bernhard Raimann, OT, Central Michigan A Grade
Bernhard Raimann has upside, but his arm length could be a problem. It's why he fell to the third round, but the Colts were correct in obtaining him at this juncture. Eric Fisher is gone, so the Colts needed to do something to address this area. I had the Colts picking Raimann at No. 42, so I love this value!

2022 Pick 96. (R:3 P:32) - Nick Cross, S, Maryland
C Grade
I like Nick Cross just fine as a third-round prospect, but I don't know why the Colts had to give up a third-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. Cross is very athletic and possesses huge upside, but the Colts should have been more patient.

2022 Pick 159. (R:5 P:16) - Eric Johnson, DT, Missouri State
B+ Grade
The Colts had a horrible pass rush last year, so they had to find help in that regard. Eric Johnson is a solid player with nice size and length whom I frequently mocked in this range, so I like Indianapolis' decision to take him.

2022 Indianapolis Colts - Prospect:TBD

2022 Pick 217. (R:6 P:38) - James Houston, LB, Jackson State
A- Grade
The Lions know they need as many pass rushers as possible to consistently beat Aaron Rodgers and Kirk Cousins. James Houston is a quality edge rusher I mocked in the fifth round, so I like this value Detroit is getting toward the end of the sixth frame.

2022 Pick 240. (R:7 P:19) - Christian Holmes, CB, Oklahoma State
B Grade
I just missed on Christian Holmes, mocking him 239th instead of 240th! Darn it, my mock is ruined! At any rate, Christian Holmes is a tall corner, so there's that. Cornerback is a huge need, so perhaps Holmes will have a chance to make the final roster.

2021 Pick 21. (R:1 P:21) - Kwity Paye, DE, Michigan B Grade
The Colts lost a couple of defensive linemen in free agency this offseason, so it makes sense that they would select Kwity Paye. They're really swinging for the fences with this selection. Paye has incredible talent and pass-rushing upside, but he's very raw and inexperienced. He has high bust potential, but there's also extreme upside with him.

2021 Pick 54. (R:2 P:22) - Dayo Odeyingbo, DE/3-4DE, Vanderbilt C- Grade
The Colts are ready to win this year, so why did they draft a player who will have to redshirt in 2021? Dayo Odeyingbo is a very talented defensive tackle, but he tore his Achilles in late January. This selection will pay off in the long term, but it goes against Indianapolis' plan right now.

2021 Pick 127. (R:4 P:22) - Kylen Granson, TE, SMU
D Grade
The Colts like to run multi-tight end formations, so it makes sense that they would target the position despite already having some talent there. Granson has some athletic potential, but I didn't have him in my final mock draft, so I'm not a huge fan of this pick.

2021 Pick 165. (R:5 P:21) - Shawn Davis, S, Florida
B+ Grade
The Colts had a need at safety, so it's about time that they addressed it. Shawn Davis was projected in the fourth round of some of my draft updates, so I like the value. We didn't have all the numbers as far as Davis' measureables are concerned, but he stood out in the Senior Bowl.

2021 Pick 206. (R:6 P:22) - Landon Young, OT, Kentucky
B+ Grade
Landon Young appeared in the final couple of rounds in some mock updates. He's an athletic offensive lineman, but isn't very lengthy, so there's a chance he'll have to move to guard. This is fine, as the Saints needed some help at that position.

2021 Indianapolis Colts - Prospect:TBD

2020 Indianapolis Colts - Prospect:TBD

2019 Indianapolis Colts - Prospect:TBD

2018 Indianapolis Colts - Prospect:TBD

2017 Indianapolis Colts - Prospect:TBD

2016 Indianapolis Colts - Prospect:TBD

2015 Indianapolis Colts - Prospect:TBD

2014 Indianapolis Colts - Prospect:TBD

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