NFL.com ranks Colts as having league’s 6th best draft class

The Colts have a clear fan of their draft class in NFL.com, who believes it’s a Top 10 rookie class in all of football.

According to NFL.com’s Nick Shook, the Indianapolis Colts have the league’s sixth best rookie draft class following the results of the 2024 NFL Draft:

SHOOK: I was surprised to see Indianapolis end the defensive player drought at No. 15 when they chose Laiatu Latu, not because he wasn’t deserving of such a selection, but because I thought they might look elsewhere. Instead, the Colts took an edge rusher who was among the best in the class and will slide him into a group that suddenly looks more powerful than simply being known as DeForest Buckner and Friends. Colts GM Chris Ballard pushed back against reports of character concerns regarding Adonai Mitchell mere hours after selecting him, and honestly, I agree: Mitchell’s talent and potential was worth the supposed risk of choosing him in the middle of the second round. Plus, the Colts added a running mate for Michael Pittman Jr. for a second straight year, then doubled down by adding another in Anthony Gould — fully stocking up for Year 2 of the Anthony Richardson experience. I loved the choices of Matt Goncalves and Tanor Bortolini for a team that has needed reinforcements along the offensive line, especially with a couple of starters playing on expiring deals in 2024. I have high hopes for Bortolini, who impressed me at the NFL Scouting Combine and was a fantastic value pick in the fourth round — especially if Indianapolis needs to replace Ryan Kelly a year from now. In total, Ballard spent his nine picks as if he was grocery shopping for months, adding a large volume of supplies to a cabinet that didn’t need a ton of ready-made meals. I would’ve liked a backup running back for Jonathan Taylor, though. We’ll see how it pans out in the years ahead.

There’s no question that the Colts brought in some elite rookie potential, with arguably the top pass rusher in this year’s draft class, UCLA’s Laiatu Latu, who at the very least is the most initially polished. Whether Latu’s prior spinal medical issues eventually limit his pro playing career, remains to be seen, but he should be able to have an immediate impact among the Colts front-seven consistently getting after the opposing quarterback—with his wide array of pass rushing moves and always having a plan of attack.

Meanwhile, AD Mitchell has the talent and ability of a top 5 wideout in this year’s draft class. He has elite speed and the ability to change direction at the top of his routes without losing any of it. Not just being fleet of foot, Mitchell also has sure hands and great body control. He should provide immediate competition on the outside opposite Michael Pittman Jr., with the chance to ultimately win the #2 wideout job from incumbent Alec Pierce outright.

Next, as Shook notes, the Colts reinforced the depth along their offensive line—which had fallen off in more recent seasons. Both third round pick Matt Goncalves and Tanor Bortolini could provide spot starts in 2024 with any injuries, and a year later, both could be long-term starters at both right guard and center respectively, depending on what happens with pending 2025 free agents Will Fries and veteran center Ryan Kelly.

Lastly, the 5th round pick of Anthony Gould fills a clear roster need, as the Colts sorely needed a primary and gifted special teams returnman—especially with the new rule changes regarding the league’s kick returns, turning it back into a competitive football play.