The Colts have certain objectives in the 2024 NFL Draft that might help them get over the hump after narrowly missing the playoffs.
In 2023, the Indianapolis Colts were as near as any club could be to making the playoffs. They were defeated 23-19 by the Houston Texans in Week 18 to conclude their season. The Colts needed one more fourth down convert to win and seal the AFC South.
Even if things didn’t turn out the way they had hoped, the Colts’ 2023 season was a success all around. Despite playing in just four games during his first campaign, Anthony Richardson proved he has what it takes to be the team’s starting quarterback. Nine games were won by the Colts in spite of his injury. Indianapolis is seeing an upturn in events.
Going forward, the Colts should only become better. After recovering from his accident, Richardson will try to improve on his brief NFL career. Indianapolis has $72 million in cap space and the No. 15 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft as well as other resources to build around him.
Indiana’s draft class of 2023 was outstanding. If a few early goals are met, the 2024 class might follow suit.
Kool-Aid McKinstry, Cornerback
The Colts’ defense is the area they will focus on strengthening the most in 2024. Most notably, their secondary. Indianapolis gave up 226 yards per game of pass defense, good for 16th place. They gave up 20 of 26 passes for 264 yards and two scores to CJ Stroud in Week 18.
Alabama’s Kool-Aid McKinstry has the potential to significantly strengthen the Colts secondary. Alongside JuJu Brents, whom the Colts selected in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft, McKinstry would probably start for the Colts. McKinstry is regarded as one of the greatest cornerbacks in the class, as his 86.9 Pro Football Focus grade lead the SEC.
The Colts surely would’ve loved to make the playoffs, but McKinstry lasting to their pick at 15 would be a nice consolation prize. It isn’t a lock he lasts that long. However, with the AFC South all of a sudden becoming loaded with quarterback talent with CJ Stroud, Trevor Lawrence, and even Will Levis, it’s becoming all the more important to not get gashed. McKinstry would help the Colts with that in a big way.
Xavier Worthy, Wide Receiver
The Colts would be wise to select McKinstry in the first round. Maybe they target a quick receiver like Xavier Worthy in the second round. Although Alec Pierce was expected to be Indianapolis’ deep threat, he hasn’t performed as well as the team had planned in that capacity. Over the course of two seasons and 33 games, Pierce has only 1,107 yards receiving. That is insufficient.
The Colts may have found their ideal playmaker in Worthy. Worthy scored 12 touchdowns and 981 yards as a rookie for Texas football, making an immediate impression. As a junior in 2023, he had his greatest season with 1,014 yards and five touchdowns on 75 receptions. Both the yards and the receptions were career highs. Additionally, he is a fast guy who might open up holes for the Colts down the field.
The Colts possess the fundamental elements of a superb receiver core. Wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. is genuinely the best. The Colts’ record for most receptions in a rookie season was recently broken by Josh Downs. However, they may need an additional guy who can make big plays further down the field. That person might be worthy.
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