The Indianapolis Colts got through the second and third rounds using their four selections and now are set to use their next six picks in the final four rounds during Day 3 of the 2019 NFL Draft.
The Colts have two fourth-rounders, two fifth-rounders and one pick in each of the sixth and seventh rounds. With some more depth needed at a few positions, Indy has plenty of capital to do so on Saturday.
Here are six prospects the Colts should target on Day 3:
S Chauncey Gardner-Johnson, Florida
It isn’t clear why a player with Gardner-Johnson’s measurables and skill set would fall this far. There are supremely lesser talented safeties being taken ahead of him. There haven’t been any reports about an injury or any off-the-field issues.
If all is clear and teams for some reason aren’t that high on him, the Colts should absolutely pounce on Gardner-Johnson if he is there with their first pick in the fourth round. He would be an excellent fit next to Malik Hooker and a versatile piece in the secondary.
Maybe we will figure out why he slipped so far, but if there aren’t any major issues, a team is going to get a steal.
WR Emanuel Hall, Mizzouri
Most probably want the Colts to take Hakeem Butler. That would be fine so long as he, too, doesn’t have any issues that are keeping him from being drafted. Regardless, Hall should be a target for the Colts if they want to dip in the wide receiver position.
A vertical threat that averaged 23.5 yards per reception over the last two years at Missouri, Hall might be a project, but he has excellent athleticism. It’s the type that makes it difficult to see Chris Ballard passing on.
Hall is a raw route runner will need to improve his nuance in that area, but he has one of the highest ceilings in the draft among wideouts. Getting him on Day 3 would add some serious depth.
EDGE Anthony Nelson, Iowa
The Colts may have selected former TCU linebacker Ben Banogu, but it remains to be seen how they will use him. Adding a pure edge rusher to the front seven could help the Colts prepare for the eventual departures of Jabaal Sheard and Justin Houston.
Nelson is an intriguing option for the Colts. He can work on the edge but some see him kicking inside where he can use his athleticism to win on the interior. With the Colts, he could likely do both.
Nelson brings a high motor, a nice first step off the ball and excellent length to help him long-arm blockers. He would be a solid candidate to work into the rotation.
S Amani Hooker, Iowa
Safety remains one of the biggest, if not the biggest, needs for the Colts entering the final day of the draft. Odds are, they will use one of their six remaining picks in the draft to add a safety to the current secondary.
Hooker can work in a two-deep zone, but he can also play near the line of scrimmage in work the shallow zones in a robber role. He’s not the most athletic safety, but he offers excellent ball skills and instincts from the defensive backfield.
Most had Hooker pegged as Day 2 selection, which means they would get some serious value in the fourth or fifth round.
DL Charles Omenihu, Texas
Not the most bendy pass rusher but one that offers length and versatility all along the defensive line. Omenihu is a great fit for the Colts’ attacking front to work in the rotation with the other pass rushers.
It isn’t clear if the Colts feel he can work both on the edge and kick inside, but he should be on their radar relatively early Saturday. Getting him attacking a single gap in one-on-one situations is ideal and likely puts him in the best position to win.
Omenihu wouldn’t be a prospect that starts right away, but he could get early work as a pass rusher in sub packages, which is plenty of value on Day 3.
DT Renell Wren, Arizona State
With one of the most explosive get-offs in the class, Wren fell to the fourth round but should be there long. Seeing as the Colts need help on the interior at the three-technique, Wren would be a solid choice in the fourth round.
Most believe he would thrive best working an aggressive one-gap front where his quick first step and explosiveness would help him win regularly on the interior. Whether that would be from the shade or the three-technique remains to be seen.
Wren is a high-upside prospect that now has some value as a Day 3 pick. He could give the Colts some promise as an interior pass rusher without forcing them to invest too heavily.
