Colts' Top 2023 NFL Draft Targets
The Indianapolis Colts head into this weekend's draft with one clear need. They must come away with a new quarterback of the future.
The Colts hired former Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Shane Steichen—who helped develop Jalen Hurts into a viable MVP candidate—to help support their next quarterback. They signed Gardner Minshew as a veteran backup and potential bridge starter.
All that's left to do is secure a top quarterback prospect, likely with the fourth overall pick. Indy has a few other needs too, though, and here, we'll examine some of the top draft prospects the Colts should have high atop their draft board going into Thursday night.
Indianapolis' Top Available Quarterback
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All signs point to the Colts wanting Kentucky's Will Levis with the fourth overall pick.
"The Colts want Levis," one AFC scout said, per ESPN's Matt Miller. "The question is do they love him more than Stroud? I think they do, but that's a bold move."
Levis is only the fourth-ranked quarterback on the Bleacher Report Scouting Department's draft board, behind Ohio State's C.J. Stroud, Florida's Anthony Richardson and Alabama's Bryce Young. However, he does have intriguing arm talent, a reportedly strong work ethic and experience in a pro-style offense.
"The kid works his tail off, and he's an extremely intelligent person," Kentucky offensive coordinator and former Rams OC Liam Coen said, per The Athletic's Jeff Howe.
According to Coen, Levis mastered a deep playbook that involved plenty of adjustments and check options at the line of scrimmage.
"Those were all things we asked him to do that we also asked Matthew Stafford to do," Coen said, per Howe. "That every NFL coordinator asks their quarterback to do."
Levis may very well be Indy's top QB target. However, the Colts' rumored interest may be part of a carefully crafted smokescreen. If, for example, they truly want Stroud or Richardson but can't trade up or land him at No. 4, the perception will be that the Colts got the prospect they always wanted in Levis—assuming another team doesn't grab him first.
Indianapolis has to come away with one of the top four signal-callers. After years of trotting out veteran retreads like Carson Wentz and Matt Ryan, it's time for Indy to draft and develop someone for the long term.
O'Cyrus Torrence, IOL, Florida
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Assuming the Colts can find their next quarterback early on Day 1, they should immediately work on protecting him on Day 2.
Colts quarterbacks were sacked a combined 60 times last season, with Ryan taking 38 sacks in 12 games. That sort of "protection" is a serious problem if any rookie signal-caller is expected to start early.
Florida's O'Cyrus Torrence would be a terrific player to grab, if he's available at No. 35. The Colts could use an upgrade opposite Quenton Nelson at guard, and Torrence would be a great fit for an offense centered around running back Jonathan Taylor.
"Torrence has starter-level size, play strength and power, with the right demeanor to be a potential impact starter at guard in most schemes," Brandon Thorn of the B/R Scouting Department wrote. "Ideally, he would plug into a run and play-action focused offense that incorporates a healthy mix of gap concepts to suit what he does best and maximize his physical traits and skill set."
Given the Colts' position near the top of Round 2, they might even consider trading back into the first round in order to secure a lineman like Torrence or TCU's Steve Avila. Both were first-round selections in the B/R Scouting Department's latest mock draft.
Clark Phillips III, CB, Utah
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If the Colts don't find a worthy O-line prospect at No. 35, cornerback would be a logical second choice. Indianapolis ranked a good-not-great 16th in yards per pass attempt allowed (6.1) and traded away Stephon Gilmore in the offseason.
As is the case at quarterback, Indy should take the highest player on its positional board here. Utah's Clark Phillips III, however, seems like an ideal target in the early second round.
Phillips is the fourth-ranked cornerback on the B/R board but does not appear to be trending as a first-round selection (not selected in the Scouting Department's mock). This is likely due to his lack of archetypal size (5'9", 184).
Though Phillips isn't a bigger corner, he's skilled, versatile and would be a solid fit for Gus Bradley's defense.
"Clark is an outstanding cover corner who shows versatility at both the outside corner and slot positions. His ball-hawking tendencies make him an elite player and one that will be coveted at the next level," Cory Giddings of the B/R Scouting Department wrote.
Phillips logged 24 tackles, six interceptions and two defensive touchdowns last season.
Prospects like South Carolina's Cam Smith and Georgia's Kelee Ringo are also worth watching on Day 2.
*College statistics from Sports Reference
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