How did the Indianapolis Colts’ 2024 draft class compare to the rest of the NFL?
Gennaro Filice of NFL.com recently handed out grades and ranked all 32 rookie classes based on their performances last season.
The Colts’ class would receive a C+ from Filice and ranked 20th overall compared to the rest of the NFL.
The theme from Filice as he walked through the Colts’ draft class was that this group was collectively “solid.”
“He (Laiatu Latu) wasn’t great, he wasn’t lousy, he was … solid,” wrote Filice. “That descriptor largely sums up this draft class for Indianapolis.”
Laiatu Latu was the first defensive player taken off the board and totaled a sound 42 pressures, according to Next Gen Stats, four sacks, and three forced fumbles.
He showcased the ability to win regularly as a pass rusher, ranking 29th among all defensive ends in PFF’s pass-rush win rate metric and improved as a run defender as the season went on. Latu was, however, the third-most productive rookie at his position group in terms of pressures and he was fourth in sacks.
Both rookie offensive linemen Tanor Bortolini and Matt Goncalves filled in well when called upon and both look like players that the Colts can and will rely on heavily to be mainstays within their offensive line unit.
“I’m pleased with how these young guys came along,” said Chris Ballard after the season about Bortolini and Goncavles.
Jaylon Carlies, a former college safety, was the Colts’ third linebacker when lined up in their 4-3 base defense last season. Carlies proved to be a reliable tackler and allowed only 6.0 yards per catch. He could be starting next to Zaire Franklin this upcoming season.
Lastly, Ballard did find Dalton Tucker and signed him as an undrafted rookie. Although he was benched late in the season, anytime a UDFA makes the 53-man roster and earns the opportunity to contribute, that’s a win.
Those were all positives, but as Filice mentions, second-round pick AD Mitchell had a very quiet year.
Mitchell would catch only 45% of his passes as he dealt with drops and at times wasn’t on the same page as the quarterback. In terms of playing time, there were weeks where he was the fifth receiver on the depth chart.
Like Ballard said, Mitchell must find consistency, but what he did show was the ability to create separation with his speed and route running abilities.
Filice didn’t mention this, but I will: three of the Colts draft picks from 2024 didn’t even finish the year with the team.
Micah Abraham was released during roster cutdowns and wasn’t brought back. Jonah Laulu was also released during roster cutdowns but was claimed by the Raiders where he saw defensive snaps last season. And then Jaylin Simpson was signed by the Jets off the Colts’ practice squad mid-season.
Those were all Day 3 picks and this happening once isn’t going to reshape the roster in a negative way by any means. But 33% of your draft picks lasting only about seven months or less isn’t good either.