The Indianapolis Colts concluded the 2019 NFL Draft with 10 selections when it was all said and done. They had a concise plan entering the offseason’s biggest event, and they stuck to it.
There is a lot to take in with the Colts’ draft class from this weekend. We won’t truly know how the players will pan out simply from where they were selected, but there will be projections.
Here are six takeaways from the Colts’ 2019 NFL draft:
Chris Ballard stuck to his word on trades
Though it shouldn’t come as a major surprise, Ballard was wheeling and dealing throughout all three days. He moved back, traded up and even acquired an extra pick for a player.
The first trade came in Round 1 when the Colts moved back to No. 46 adding a 2020 second-rounder in the exchange. Then, from No. 46, they moved back three spots in a trade with the Browns and picked up an extra fifth-round pick.
Ballard made a rare move trading two fourth-round picks to the Raiders to grab safety Khari Willis. That shows just how much they valued him in this draft. They then traded defensive tackle Hassan Ridgeway to the Eagles for a seventh-round pick.
Colts hit heavy defense
As to be expected, the Colts emphasized adding depth to the defensive side of the ball, which was the unit that had the most needs. Out of the Colts’ 10 total selections, seven of them were on the defensive side of the ball.
The Colts wound up adding two cornerbacks in Rock Ya-Sin and Marvell Tell, three linebackers in Ben Banogu, Bobby Okereke and E.J Speed, an edge rusher in Gerri Green and a safety in Khari Willis.
It remains to be seen how many will become starters, but the Colts were able to add plenty of depth and competition throughout the entire draft.
Targeted certain traits in players
If there is a team that exited the draft with the fastest collective group of prospects, it has to be the Colts hands down. One of the biggest traits they targeted over the course of the entire weekend was speed, and they were able to add that to various levels of the defense.
From the linebackers selected to bringing in the blazing wide receiver in Parris Campbell, who ran a 4.31 in the 40-yard dash at the NFL combine, the Colts roster just got exponentially faster.
The Colts also targeted excellent athletes and high-character prospects during the draft, but finding speed on both sides of the ball was one of the dominating traits they targeted all weekend.
Colts felt LB depth was needed
With the change in defensive scheme under coordinator Matt Eberflus, the Colts felt they needed to add several new faces to the unit despite All-Pro Darius Leonard and Anthony Walker having solid seasons in 2018.
The Colts added some very athletic, rangy and speedy linebackers to the middle of the defense. Ben Banogu will be used as a SAM to begin with the ability to rush from the edge in sub packages while Bobby Okereke and E.J. Speed have the traits to be extremely projectable inside linebackers.
How they all turn out remains to be seen, but the Colts underwent an overhaul of sorts at the linebacker position.
Pass rush still faces big question marks
The Colts added Banogu, who has the potential to rush from the edge, and Green, who is likely to work as a defensive end to begin his career. Outside of that, the Colts didn’t add a prospect that gives a clear feeling that the pass rush is improved.
They also didn’t add anything to the interior defensive line with any one of their picks, which could likely be addressed with an undrafted free agent. However, there are still major question marks when it comes to the pass rush.
The Colts will now be relying heavily on the developments of Kemoko Turay and Tyquan Lewis while hoping Jabaal Sheard and Justin Houston can continue to make an impact from the edge.
Competitive and upside throughout the class
There is a high chance that the Colts don’t get an immediate starter from this year’s draft class. Though they might view cornerback Rock Ya-Sin and linebacker Ben Banogu as potential starters, it still remains to be seen what kind of roles these 10 players will have.
However, the Colts did do a strong job of adding depth, competition and immense upside throughout the roster. The linebacker corps should be under heavy competition while the upside of the secondary is truly enticing.
Wide receiver Parris Campbell has a chance to push for a starting role simply due to his game-breaking speed. Regardless, the Colts found ways to add some depth and competition, even if it means there’s a possibility none of them start right away.
