And just like that, the 2023 NFL Draft is in the books. Per usual, it was a wild and unexpected ride, starting with all the Round 1 action. Day 2 and Day 3 delivered surprises of their own. Some teams capitalized on the opportunity, while others came up short. Let’s take a look at the 2023 NFL Draft recap, analysis, and grades for the Indianapolis Colts. NFL Draft analysts Andrew Erickson and Thor Nystrom combine to provide their thoughts below.

• NFL Draft Grades for Every Team
• Thor’s Draft Grades (AFC | NFC)
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• Fitz’s Round 1 NFL Draft Picks: Dynasty Rookie Draft Outlook (Day 2 | Day 3)
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2023 NFL Draft Recap, Analysis & Grades: Indianapolis Colts

NFL Draft analysts Andrew Erickson and Thor Nystrom combine to provide their thoughts below.

Thor Nystrom’s Overview & Grades

Indianapolis Colts | Draft Grade: A+

What a weekend!!

All process, the Colts were connected to Will Levis at 1.4. But cooler heads prevailed in the end and the correct decision was made to swing from the heels on QB Anthony Richardson‘s enormous upside (and, it must be said: higher floor than Richardson was credited for during the process).

But the Richardson pick was only the beginning. CB Julius Brents is a 6-foot-3 press-man corner with the longest wingspan for a corner (82 5/8 “) ever recorded at the NFL Combine. He had a fabulous draft process. Brents was erasing receivers during one-on-one drills at the Senior Bowl, then he tested out-of-this-world, posting a 9.99 RAS score.

The next three picks were all bonanza values – WR Josh Downs, OT Blake Freeland, and DL Adetomiwa Adebawore. Downs will start immediately in the slot – sorry Isaiah McKenzie – and be a target-hound in the intermediate area.

Freeland is likely to be the swing tackle as a rookie. But if he surprises in camp, would the Colts consider starting him at RT and kicking Braden Smith to guard to form a nasty interior trio with Quentin Nelson and Ryan Kelly?

Adebawore is a physical freak with ridiculous length. He has an extremely high ceiling, but there’s work to do – that starts with the team deciding whether he’s an edge defender or a gap-shooting interior lineman at the next level. But I couldn’t believe he fell to Day 3. Athletic profiles this high-octane never drop that far.

If the Colts are contending for a Super Bowl in three years, it will be because of this draft class. Scared money don’t make money. Indy’s chips are now in the center of the table.

Andrew Erickson’s Overview & Grades

The Colts made the right choice, selecting quarterback Anthony Richardson over Will Levis. His uber-athletic ability with the right coaching staff will help unlock his sky-high ceiling. Wouldn’t surprise me at all to see him become the Day 1 starter with Gardner Minshew as the only competition. He is my favorite longshot bet at +1200 odds to win offensive Rookie of the Year per DraftKings Sportsbook. Richardson’s landing spot is by far the best among the rookie signal callers.

After getting their future franchise quarterback the Colts wisely invested in their cornerback/secondary with Julius Brents. The Kansas State CB allowed the fourth-fewest receptions per game (1.2) in his cornerback class in 2022 while operating strictly as a perimeter CB (85% wide rate alignment per Sports Info Solutions). Brents also tested off-the-charts at the NFL combine with 93rd percentile or better marks in the 3-cone drill, broad jump and vertical jump. The Colts were clearly enamored by Brents’ arm length and wingspan as well — both ranking inside the 98th percentile.

Indy solidified a strong Day 2 showing by grabbing value in the form of WR Josh Downs. I cannot believe Downs fell as far as he did based on how productive he was at UNC. He was my No. 5-ranked WR after he posted the No. 2-highest PFF receiving grade versus man coverage in 2022, as he tormented ACC defensive backs with his savant route running from the slot. He’s the perfect fit inside for the Colts, who are quietly putting adequate weapons in place for Richardson to hit the ground running.

Chris Ballard selected Blake Freeland at the top of the 4^th round, as a bet on traits. The BYU tackle is a freak (a common theme with this Colts 2023 draft class) at 6-foot-8 with sub 5.0 40 speed and 99th percentile broad jump. Freeland was the highest-graded tackle per PFF last season in his class and finished No. 2 per Sports Info Solutions in the fewest blown blocks per game (0.5). Fully expect him to be part of the Colts offense that takes major strides forward in 2023.

And just when I thought the Colts couldn’t do any better, they told me to hold my beer. They finally stopped the Adetomiwa Adebawore slide, taking him at the top of Round 4. Again, Ballard took a shot on another traits player, that some thought could be a late first-round pick. Adebawore tested completely off the charts at the 2023 NFL Combine posting 88th percentile or higher marks in the 40-yard dash (4.49), vertical jump, and broad jump at 282 pounds. His versatility and explosive get-off will help him get after NFL passers.

CB Darius Rush in Round 5 was just another great pick by the Colts front office. The 6-foot-2 CB played strictly on the perimeter and held his own, earning PFF’s 13th-highest coverage grade in the class. With 4.36 speed, Rush is an excellent find for the secondary at the cost of a 5^th-round pick.

RB Evan Hull was another great late-round pick, especially if you ask FantasyPros’ own Derek Brown. The Northwestern product spent the past two seasons owning his team’s backfield as a mega-producer posting back-to-back seasons with a 35% dominator rating. The 5-foot-10 and 209-pound back hauled in 87 passes for 800 receiving yards as a full-blown three-down back while forcing over 100 missed tackles. He led all FBS running backs in receptions and receiving yards in 2022.

FINAL DRAFT GRADE: A+

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