One ESPN analyst really liked three of the Colts draft picks, who are hoping they’ve found three long-term impact starters.
According to ESPN’s Matt Miller (subscription), three Indianapolis Colts rookies are among his ‘Top 100 picks’ of last week’s 2024 NFL Draft:
7. Adonai Mitchell, WR, Indianapolis Colts (Pick 2-52)
My final overall ranking: No. 18
The Colts are building an all-star roster at wide receiver with quarterback Anthony Richardson entering his second season. Mitchell is an elite deep threat with 4.34 speed and 11 touchdowns for the Longhorns last season. He’s exactly what the team needed to pair with Michael Pittman Jr. and Josh Downs. His speed, size and ball skills will make him an ideal vertical target to open up the Indianapolis offense.
23. Laiatu Latu, EDGE, Indianapolis Colts (Pick 1-15)
My final overall ranking: No. 22
Colts GM Chris Ballard got the most pro-ready pass-rusher in the class. Latu has expert-level hand usage and always has a plan for getting after the quarterback. The Colts were clearly comfortable with the neck injury (and surgery) that Latu sustained while at Washington (before a transfer to UCLA), as the team made him the first defensive player off the board.
57. Tanor Bortolini, C, Indianapolis Colts (Pick 4-117)
My final overall ranking: No. 86
Center Ryan Kelly has been a tremendous player for the Colts since being selected in the first round of the 2016 draft. But he’s set to turn 31 before next season, and having a backup with future starter ability at such a key position is savvy drafting. Bortolini has elite agility and short-area explosion. He may see time at guard before sliding back to center.
If the Colts will have had it their way, the Horseshoe will have ended up with at least three long-term impact starters—and it’s possible that each could make an early impact even as rookies, with some having more of an initial opportunity for playing time than others.
Regarding Mitchell, he’s really athletic, has great speed, sure hands, and is fluid in-and-out of his breaks. In particular, the Colts love Mitchell’s ability to change direction at the top of his route without losing speed, which is a special trait that only the league’s greats have.
The Colts have been looking to upgrade their receiving corps with more production and explosive plays along the outside than incumbent starter Alec Pierce provided last year. While they haven’t fully given up on Pierce, Mitchell should provide a ‘healthy competition’ for the starting job (*and push for immediate playing time) opposite Michael Pittman Jr.
Despite being the Colts’ first round pick, Laiatu Lau finds himself second on this list; however, he may have the biggest opportunity to have an immediate impact as a rookie as a rotational pass rusher and potential mainstay in nickel subpackages as the Colts ‘LEO’ pass rushing specialist. He’s more athletic than he’s credited for and is incredibly polished as a pass rusher with a wide array of moves and counters in his arsenal—and a clear plan of attack depending on the particular offensive tackle’s tendencies he’s facing.
Lastly, Bortolini may be the Colts ‘center of the future.’ However, given veteran center Ryan Kelly’s football age and increasing susceptibility to injuries (including a recent history of concussions last year), it wouldn’t be surprising if Bortolini makes a few spot starts for Indianapolis during 2024, before fully taking over the reins starting in 2025 from the pending free agent Kelly. Bortolini is regarded as intelligent, athletic, and tough, but needs to get a bit stronger at the point of attack and refine some of his blocking technique.
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