Way-too-early Indianapolis Colts 2024 NFL Draft preview

The 2024 NFL Draft is April 25-27 in Detroit. Here is the first-round order, per Tankathon. 

The Indianapolis Colts fell just shy of making the postseason in head coach Shane Steichen’s first year with the team. With a fully healthy Anthony Richardson at quarterback and Jonathan Taylor at running back, Indy will likely be right there in the thick of the playoff race in 2024. He’s a look at how the team can help its cause through the draft.

2023 record: 9-8 | First-round pick: No. 15 | Team needs: DT, CB, S

Potential first-round picks: Jer'Zhan Newton, DT, Illinois; Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama; Jaden Hicks, S, Washington State

Newton began the year as the top-rated defensive tackle in the 2024 class, and although he had a solid season, he was eventually passed up on most draft boards by Texas’ Byron Murphy II and T'Vondre Sweat, and Michigan’s Kris Jenkins, depending on which scout you ask.

But the 6-foot-2, 295-pound Newton still has game-wrecking potential, and he would make a strong running mate for Colts defensive DeForest Buckner, who’s still one of the NFL’s top DTs (he’s had 7.5 or more sacks every year since 2018) but is also going into his age-30 season. Newton had a career-high 7.5 sacks this season, along with 43 pressures and 28 hurries, and adding him to the center of the Colts defensive line could be a huge feather in their cap.

Two of Indy’s top four defensive backs in terms of coverage snaps played are free agents (cornerback Kenny Moore and safety Julian Blackmon), which means the Colts need to start beefing up their secondary. 

McKinstry was one of the top CBs in college football in 2023. He surrendered just 6 receptions on 36 targets (44.4 completion percentage) while limiting receivers to just 169 yards and one touchdown while playing in the SEC, which boasts some of the country’s top passing offenses.

Conversely, Hicks is regarded as one of, if not the top safety in the 2024 class. He allowed a 64.5 completion percentage in coverage this season, but surrendered only 8.5 yards per reception and two touchdowns. He also had four forced incompletions and four pass break-ups, and he would be a great addition to an Indy defensive backfield that could use a ball-hawking safety.