NFL Combine: 5 Colts prospects who need a big week

COLLEGE FOOTBALL: JAN 20 CFP National Championship - Notre Dame vs Ohio State — Photo by David Rosenblum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Indianapolis, IN — This week’s festivities will provide numerous opportunities for NFL Draft prospects to improve their respective draft stock(s) as we enter the homestretch portion of the draft cycle.

While some participants are expected to light up the event and improve and/or solidify their draft stock, there’s also a solid chunk of players who, quite frankly, need a strong week to prove themselves.

The Indianapolis Colts have their fair share of needs going into free agency (S, TE, CB), and the following players fit both bills of being in a position of need and needing a strong showing at the combine.

Xavier Watts, Safety, Notre Dame

Capital One Orange Bowl - Penn State v Notre Dame

Xavier Watts has become a popular name among Colts’ draft fit due to the team’s need at free safety. An absolute ballhawk, Watts logged the most interceptions (13) of any FBS player over the past two seasons.

Under new defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo, the Colts are especially desperate for a rangy free safety who can operate at the backend’s centerfielder and Watts perfectly fits that bill. How he will test athletically remains his biggest concern as a prospect.

The tape suggests that it won’t be an issue, although when it comes to front offices such as general manager Chris Ballard’s staff in Indianapolis, meeting certain athletic thresholds is essential. Standing at a modest 5’11” and weighing around 200 lbs, it’s imperative that Watts tests well to remain a legitimate Day 2 (rounds 2-3) for the Colts.

Demetrius Knight, Linebacker, South Carolina

Knight is a linebacker from a past generation, standing at 6’1” and weighing a comfortable 245 lbs. As the modern-day NFL has resorted to smaller, more athletic off-ball linebackers, Knight presents a type of build and playstyle that mirrors that of past eras.

A relentless motor in every shape of the phrase, Knight presents a safer prospect profile that suggests, at worst, he’ll be a depth piece who contributes on special teams. Though his testing numbers are projected to be in the average range, a strong week from Knight could elevate him from an early Day 3 (rounds 4-7) prospect into a late Day 2 guy.

Kevin Winston Jr., Safety, Penn State

Winston Jr. (6’2”, 210 lbs) has flown under the radar throughout the early stages of the pre-draft process, mainly due to the concern that he won’t be the same player following a partial ACL tear in his second game of the season.

The Nittany Lion product had a terrific 2023 season that featured just one interception and two passes defended, but included a 0.0 missed tackle rate while committing zero penalties.

The medical checks will be the most important testing of Winston Jr.’s week, but with a strong week of on-the-field testing, therein lies a chance that he solidifies himself as a Day 2 prospect.

Jeffrey Bassa, Linebacker, Oregon

COLLEGE FOOTBALL: DEC 07 Big Ten Championship Game - Penn State vs Oregon

A converted safety to linebacker product, Jeffrey Bassa (6’2”, 235 lbs) presents an interesting prospect profile. He lands on the below-average side of various measurables, particularly arm length, but showcases plus athleticism on tape that suggests he’ll fare well in the on-the-field testing.

Currently projected as a late-Day 2, early Day-3 prospect, Bassa has the opportunity to establish himself as one of the top linebacker prospects going into rounds 2-3 of the NFL Draft.

Zy Alexander, Cornerback, LSU

A bigger outside cornerback at 6’2”, 195 lbs, Zy Alexander is one of the more fascinating prospects of this NFL Draft Class. A former FCS All-American at Southeastern Louisiana, Alexander made the in-state jump to LSU to finish out his collegiate career.

The biggest concern for Alexander as a prospect is that of his injury history. After an injury derailed his senior season as a high school prospect, injuries have followed Alexander throughout his two-year stint at LSU. After an up-and-down start to his FBS career, Alexander went down for the 2023 season with a torn ACL. After missing two games with a concussion this past season, Alexander suffered an undisclosed foot injury during his time at the Shrine Bowl.

Despite the rocky start to his LSU tenure, Alexander has proven throughout his time at both Southeastern Louisiana and LSU that he can compete with the best of the best, especially during his senior campaign. His 14 career interceptions, 20 passes defended, and 53 completion percentage against in four straight seasons as a starter proves just that. If Alexander can put together a promising week of testing, he may just stamp himself as a middle round cornerback prospect.