Colts showcase Day 3 clinic on discovering versatility through draft

Indianapolis was one of four NFL teams to receive an A+ draft grade, along with the Philadelphia Eagles, Pittsburgh Steelers and New Orleans Saints, per PFF.

DETROIT — In the 2024 NFL Draft, the Indianapolis Colts war room put on a clinic on how to meticulously discover the most versatile gems to play multiple positions on the depth chart. The Colts took the first defender off the board on Thursday, then traded back in the second round to add a receiver with first-round talent.

Indianapolis began Saturday by finding a diamond in the trenches with the No. 117 overall draft pick in Wisconsin guard Tanor Bortolini. In 479 pass block snaps last season, Bortolini allowed just one sack against Iowa. Despite snapping the football in all 869 plays in 2023, Bortolini has played 648 combined snaps at guard and 229 snaps at right tackle. At the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, Wisconsin’s 6-foot-4, 303-pound center broke Jason Kelce’s 3-cone record (7.16) and posted a 9.77 Relative Athletic Score, which is the highest score of all linemen in the 2024 draft class. Bortolini could earn snaps on the right side of the offensive line in 2024 and potentially become Indianapolis’ long-term solution at center.

“He started a lot of games at Wisconsin, he played at both tackle positions at one time, he’s played guard, he started at center,” Colts GM Chris Ballard told reporters to begin his post-draft press conference. “We think he’s got really good value as an inside-swing guy for us and he’s got a really bright future.”

Indianapolis used the first pick it received from the deal with Carolina on Oregon State’s 5-foot-8, 174-pound receiver Anthony Gould. He averaged 16.1 yards per punt last season and returned two punts for touchdowns in 2022, which was tied for the most in FBS. Gould shines best with quick tunnel screens and can make an immediate impact returning kicks with the new hybrid kickoff rules. Colts head coach Shane Steichen will design dynamic plays to stretch the field with his skill set. Gould told reporters he “can add a ton of value” from the kickoff design with both team’s being stationed five yards away from each other at the far end of the field.

“The return game is going to be very important,” Ballard said. “This new kickoff return rule is going to change some things. It’s a little bit of an unknown right now but we think he’s got – he’s an explosive player with the ball in his hands, he has had a lot of success in college returning punts and he’s a pretty good wideout so excited to get him.”

The Colts used its own fifth round pick, No. 151 overall, on Missouri linebacker Jaylon Carlies. He led Missouri in tackles in each of the last two seasons and was a catalyst in creating takeaways with nine interceptions and three forced fumbles during his career. He began his college career transitioning from receiver to cornerback, then evolved to more of an outside linebacker role in Missouri’s 4-2-5 base scheme. Ballard mentioned faster guys with length have an advantage, so the Colts can use Carlies as an outside linebacker to burst downhill and fill the swing plays or play in coverage against tight ends.

Indianapolis traded back nine spots in the fifth round to acquire a sixth round pick from Philadelphia. At No. 164 overall, the Colts drafted Auburn defensive back Jaylin Simpson. Auburn’s fifth-year senior earned Second-Team All-SEC honors after leading the Tigers with four interceptions, including a pick six at Vanderbilt. Simpson’s 87.4 coverage grade ranked ninth among qualified safeties, per PFF. Simpson may offer some competition at free safety, but lined up in the slot on 195 snaps and the Colts have him listed as a cornerback.

The Colts used the No. 201 overall pick in the sixth round on Marshall cornerback Micah Abraham. In five years at Marshall, Abraham compiled 12 interceptions and broke up 55 passes. Abraham excels in every defensive back position and showcased his natural instinct to time the route and track the pass late in the Herd’s season. Despite not getting invited to the combine, Abrham brings an abundance of experience with 3,246 snaps played at Marshall. Both Simpson (5-foot-11, 179-pounds) and Abraham (5-foot-9, 185-pounds) can be used as a nickel in Gus Bradley’s scheme.

The Colts finalized their 2024 draft class by selecting Oklahoma defensive tackle Jonah Laulu in the seventh round with the No. 234 overall pick. He entered college as a tight end, then made the switch to the defensive line. He spent his first four seasons at Hawaii, then found a new home in Oklahoma as a grad transfer. After speaking with area scout Anthony Coughlan, Indianapolis brought Laulu on a visit to build a connection with Bradley and defensive line coach Charlie Partridge. At 6-foot-5, 289-pounds, Laulu bolsters the interior depth on the defensive front.

The Colts 2024 draft class includes two offensive linemen, two defensive linemen, two receivers, two defensive backs and an outside linebacker. Indianapolis was one of four NFL teams to receive an A+ draft grade, along with the Philadelphia Eagles, Pittsburgh Steelers and New Orleans Saints, per PFF. Position flexibility was key during the evaluation process to ultimately assemble a competitive roster with players who can play multiple positions. There should be plenty of interesting competition battles to make the roster during training camp at Grand Park in Westfield, Ind this summer.