INDIANAPOLIS — The Colts added nine players to their roster in the 2024 NFL Draft.
UCLA’s Laiatu Latu gives the Colts the type of productive pass rusher they haven’t added in the draft in quite some time.
And it set the rest of the three-day event up to take a more forward-looking approach to roster building.
The Colts made four of their scouts available to discuss the players they did work on in this year’s class.
He’s got a long list of pass rush moves that he puts in play all the time.
Then you get closer to the draft and you start to identify, ‘OK, this is a target guy.
6 (201) Micah Abraham, CB, Marshall Ballard: “His ability to go inside and play the nickel is important, that gives him some flexibility.
12 picks (in his college career) is 12 picks, that’s not easy to do.
INDIANAPOLIS— Nine players were selected by the Colts in the 2024 NFL Draft. Although the previous year’s draft was marked by the addition of quarterback Anthony Richardson, it was still significant in terms of assembling a team around the young passer.
This year’s crop is led by the first drafted defender. The Colts finally have a productive pass rusher in the draft after waiting a long time for UCLA’s Laiatu Latu. Additionally, it prepared the audience for the three days that followed to focus more on roster building in the future.
To talk about the players they worked on in this year’s class, the Colts made four of their scouts available. About the talent they recently added, these are their thoughts, as shared by general manager Chris Ballard:.
1 (15) Laiatu Latu, UCLA EDGE.
Area scout Chris McGaha: “We always talk about finding guys that are passionate about football.”. The things he had to go through and the obstacles he had to overcome made it pretty obvious that he truly loved it, but sometimes I think you have to look a little deeper to find out.
“Those with the most notable qualities kind of pop off the tape. He’s physically fit. At first glance, you notice the get-off. He is flexible. He constantly uses his extensive repertoire of pass rush techniques. He has the ability to score goals upfield, inside, and down the middle with strength. His dexterity is exceptional. He possesses both moves and countermoves.
You can sense the power and twitch. The way he can twist his body and get off the ball. For me, the easiest aspect of his game to observe is his physical attributes. “.
Adonai Mitchell, WR, Texas, is number two (52).
Area scout Anthony Coughlan: “He’s got confidence, man.”. He feels as though he fits in. He is aware of his talent. He is employed. This person thinks he fits in. He enrolled at Georgia as a freshman. During his entire career at two different schools, he has made plays in pivotal moments. He exudes confidence in every direction. Receivers should take note of this. It’s critical for all roles. You must understand that you fit in.
As he was at Texas, he will be quite versatile. He is a man capable of great danger. He is able to run transit routes. This guy is huge. He weighed 205 pounds and finished in 4:38. He’s a skilled route runner and a multifaceted threat. He’s not just a 50/50 deep-ball player. I believe he has the ability to threaten you in several ways. We can’t wait to utilize his talent here.
MORE: Chris Ballard defends ‘pissed’ second-round pick Adonai Mitchell with an expletives-filled tirade.
“This guy’s clutch,” as our director, Matt Terpening, often remarks. That’s what he says about some players. Mitchell possesses that gene. He merely writes plays. There are innumerable games available. Terp and I were watching Kansas State play when he started making deep shots. Watching the Alabama game is possible. In Tuscaloosa during prime time, he’s managing to catch some deep bombs. This guy is really talented. I can’t wait to get him inside this building.
This individual visited Georgia. He was a freshman at first. It may not always be a chip, though. This man is aware of his talent. He is aware of his NFL status. He obviously came out ahead of schedule, but when you play well in your freshman year against Alabama at Lucas Oil Stadium, at Georgia, and in Tuscaloosa against Texas, he knows he has something. That is something you must have. At this point, you have to have some self-belief that you are capable of accomplishing great things. “.
Pittsburgh, Matthew Goncalves, OT, 3 (79).
Area scout Chad Henry: “Watching him on film makes it pretty easy to identify what he is.”. In every game, he is largely reliable. dot. He is the epitome of what we want in an offensive lineman, so if I had to give him a nickname, it would be The Blueprint. I’m not sure if any offensive lineman on the team fits our room more than this guy: he’s big, intelligent, tough, mean, and has a high give-a-(expletive) factor. He’s also versatile, dependable, and truly caring.
“You start this process with a large list of names, and you narrow it down to the ones that fit your needs and preferences in terms of position. After that, as the draft draws nearer, you begin to realize that this guy is a target. We genuinely believe we have a good chance of obtaining this man. I believe that sentiment was shared by everyone present.
He doesn’t seem like the kind of guy who will show up expecting anything. He will put in a ton of work (expletive). That room will be better because of him. He is also going to be helpfully versatile. ****.
Tanor Bortolini, OG, Wisconsin, 4 (117).
Area scout Tyler Hughes: “You know you’re getting smart, tough, reliable offensive linemen when you work with Wisconsin.”.
At our level, he’s obviously built more for the inside. Not quite big enough to play tackle, and clearly not quite the right length. However, he traveled to the Senior Bowl, where he played alongside the top players, switching between center and guard, and had an excellent week. We cherish that inner adaptability and the capacity of the brain to do it all. “.
Anthony Gould, wide receiver, Oregon State, 5 (142).
McGaha: “This year, he ran a lengthy catch-and-run for a touchdown against San Diego State.”. He’s not your typical returner. It is unfair to him, in my opinion. He performed outside this year after playing in the slot two years prior. He is quick and powerful. It’s funny because he returns items very well, which boosts his stock. On the offensive end, he becomes a returner as soon as he gets the ball.
“Speed, certainly. Additionally, there’s a fearlessness about him. Although he’s a smaller man, he doesn’t mind standing up straight. “.
5 (151) Jaylon Carlies, LB; Missouri.
Hughes: “J. D. Has a somewhat intriguing backstory, plays in the SEC, and is the only player Missouri recruits to play defense. The wide receiver position was what all the other schools that were recruiting him desired. I was pleased that he placed a wager on himself to play college football in the top conference.
I believe that when you watch him on the hoof late in the season this year, you’re thinking, “Hell, that’s an NFL linebacker.”. He is 34 inches tall, 6-3, and weighs 230 pounds. You think, “Oh yeah, he can do it,” when he plays down in the box a lot later in the season. “.
In my opinion, he performed best when he was nearer the line of scrimmage. Simply put, he had sharper vision. He was able to apply his strengths to his game there, and things kind of dropped off for him. “.
5 (164) Auburn’s Jaylin Simpson, CB.
Ballard: “He has some versatility, being able to play safety, nickel, and corner. ****.
6 (201) Micah Abraham, Marshall, CB.
Ballard: “It’s crucial that he can play the nickel inside because it gives him some flexibility. Thus, being able to come in and out offers him some actual value as well as an opportunity to truly compete and make the roster. It’s not easy to make 12 picks in his college career. He therefore possesses natural instincts and ball skills. That usually makes sense. “.
7 (234), Jonah Laulu, Oklahoma, DT.
