Rookie minicamp begins Friday and lasts through Sunday.
The Indianapolis Colts 2024 draft class will soon get acclimated with one another as rookie minicamp begins Friday and lasts through Sunday, May 12.
All 32 NFL teams have begun Phase 1 of the offseason workout schedule. Minicamps are geared toward building chemistry between the rookies and undrafted free agents as coaches introduce them to NFL playing schemes. The Colts will officially get the band back together in 30 days for mandatory minicamp, scheduled June 4-6. Organized Team Activities (OTA’s) and minicamp can help the rookies gain confidence in lower-leverage situations before the Colts strap the pads for the first time at Grand Park in Westfield, Ind.
Indianapolis’ war room appeared willing to take calculated risks in Detroit, taking the first defensive player off the board and followed suit by trading back to ultimately land one of the top receiver prospects available. Colts first-round draft pick Laiatu Latu and second-round pick Adonai Mitchell highlight a nine-man draft class who can make an immediate impact to create more explosive plays on both sides of the football. Colts GM Chris Ballard tackled almost every position of need during the draft. Indianapolis is still searching for an emerging tight end after pedestrian production from the unit in 2023. Indianapolis did not add a veteran TE or cornerback this offseason, but Jelani Woods will return after nagging injuries took away his 2023 season.
Indianapolis 15.7 percent blitz rate per QB dropback, which ranked last in the league in 2023. Latu can earn a starting spot alongside established defensive tackles DeForest Buckner and Grover Stewart to allow defensive coordinator Gus Bradley to manage his defensive scheme.
Colts head coach Shane Steichen is adamant about young players getting in reps. Latu consistently repeats his full arsenal of moves to get a feel, react and counter the outstretched arms of offensive linemen. It will be intriguing to discover how Colts new defensive line coach Charlie Partridge utilizes the rookie pass rusher. A split-second decision when executing a plan of attack can boost his win rate and translate from the practice field to Lucas Oil Stadium. The Colts return one of the youngest rosters in the league. The oldest returning player who played at least 10 snaps per game in 2023 is center Ryan Kelly, who doesn’t turn 31 until May 30 — long snapper Luke Rhodes is 31.
A major storyline during training camp is how Colts receivers coach Reggie Wayne develops Mitchell to get the best out of him during his rookie campaign. The Colts offense was primarily one-dimensional in the absence of franchise quarterback Anthony Richardson. Mitchell thrives running the full route tree and can become a possession receiver to move the chains on third down. Colts area scout Anthony Coughlan noticed Mitchell’s frame and confidence. The 21-year-old is a talented skill player with game-breaking ability on the biggest stage. He played for two winning programs and was a catalyst to pushing the Longhorns to the first College Football Playoff berth in 2023.
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