Grading the Colts 2024 NFL Draft class

The Indianapolis Colts selected nine players in the 2024 NFL Draft.

And while what actually matters is how each performs on the field, I decided to share my thoughts on the selections the Colts made and my overall Draft Grade for the group.

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Colts 2024 NFL Draft Class

Round 1, Pick 15: Laiatu Latu, Edge, UCLA

"Latu will turn 24 in December of this year, meaning at the end of his rookie contract, he will be 28 years old, 29 if his fifth-year option is picked up. Him being older for a prospect adds extra pressure for him to adjust to the NFL level quicker, but everything about his game points toward him avoiding multiple bumps that typically hinder rookie pass rushers. The goal of this pick is that Latu can reach his ceiling quicker than as a result of this, and if people are worried about how high his ceiling is, here are three players Latu has often been compared to this draft cycle: T.J. Watt, Maxx Crosby, and Trey Hendrickson.

Overall, if the Colts are comfortable enough with Latu's medicals to use such a premium pick on him here, that already eases 99% of any concern I had with them making this selection. If the Colts were going to draft an edge rusher, I believed it needed to be someone they believe can develop into a top-tier pass rusher in the NFL. I think Latu fits that bill to a tee, and I think he has the best shot of any rookie in this class to make an immediate impact. He should be the favorite to lead rookies in sacks, and don't sleep on him being the Colts' sack leader as a rookie, a feat not commonly done."

Grade: B+

Round 2, Pick 52: Adonai Mitchell, WR, Texas

"Mitchell's talent is undeniable. His 4.34 speed and 6'2" frame will allow him to play either the X or Z role in the Colts offense. This will allow them to get creative with their top 4 WRs on the depth chart: Michael Pittman Jr., Josh Downs, Alec Pierce, and now Adonai Mitchell. And one of Mitchell's most important and impressive qualities is how reliable his hands are. Last season, he only recorded one drop on 103 targets, the lowest drop rate of any WR who saw over 100 targets. Mitchell possesses a special ceiling as a player, and if the Colts can help him reach it, this could end up being the biggest steal of the 2024 NFL Draft." - My article grading the Colts Day 2 picks

Grade: A

Round 3, Pick 79: Matt Goncalves, OT/G, Pittsburgh

"The Colts were initially slated to pick at 82 and chose to send a 6th-round pick to move up three spots to land Pittsburgh offensive lineman Matthew Goncalves. Multiple scouts I've spoken to around the league were excited to see Goncalves as Pittsburgh's full-time LT last season. Unfortunately, an injury stole most of his final season, as he was only able to appear in three games. If he had been able to finish the season as strongly as he had begun, who knows how high he could have gone? Some may have thought this was high for Goncalves, but he ended up ranked 75 on my final big board." - My article grading the Colts Day 2 picks

Grade: C+

Round 4, Pick 117: Tanor Bortolini, C/G, Wisconsin

An underrated need for the Colts in this draft class was using this strong center class to find their future successor for longtime starter Ryan Kelly. Kelly is entering the final year of his current contract and will turn 31 before the season begins. It is unknown if the team will look to extend Kelly, but either way, I don't expect it would be a long-term contract extension either way. They grabbed one of my favorite options in this class, Tanor Bortolini. Bortolini is already strong in pass protection and can be a priority backup for C or RG at the moment. But this pick is all about the long term, and I believe they found their future starting center, and Bortolini's ceiling is very exciting.

Grade: A

Round 5, Pick 142: Anthony Gould, WR, Oregon State

With the new kickoff rules in the NFL, it was important for the Colts to add a return specialist. And they did just that with their fifth-round selection of Oregon State's Anthony Gould. Gould was one of the best returners in college football last year. He led the FBS with his 18.3 average per punt return and averaged 16.4 yards per punt return during his entire college career. What makes this pick even better is the Colts also needed to find a priority backup WR for the slot behind Josh Downs. And Gould provides the Colts with a speedy gadget-style WR that Shane Steichen will love finding ways to utilize.

Grade: B+

Round 5, Pick 151: Jaylon Carlies, LB, Missouri

This was the first pick in the draft where I felt like the Colts reached on a prospect. Carlies spent time at CB and S at Missouri, and at the time of the pick, I was shocked because, on tape, he doesn't look like the type of player the Colts usually prioritize at DB. But the Colts waited no time to announce that they are moving him to LB. And while I may not have been a massive fan of Carlies as a DB I see a lot of upside at LB, so this pick officially has me intrigued for training camp. And I'll say, after hearing Ast Director of Scouting Jamie Moore talk about how much the entire Colts staff was in agreeance for this pick, I'll trust them here.

Grade: C

Round 5, Pick 164: Jaylin Simpson S/CB, Auburn

With Carlies being moved to LB officially, Jaylin Simpson was the Colts first selection addressing their secondary. Simpson is a ball hawk who spent time at CB and S at Auburn and had a career-high four interceptions last season. The Colts have said they are going to try Simpson out at CB to start but acknowledged that they also like his ability at safety. I think Simpson provides excellent depth at FS or as a slot CB, and they landed him a full round later than I thought he'd come off the board.

Grade: A-

Round 6, Pick 201: Micah Abraham, CB, Marshall

Back-to-back draft picks where the Colts addressed the secondary here as they added Marshall's Micah Abraham. Abraham's ability to make a play on the ball is undeniable. Over the last three years at Marshall, he deflected 50 passes and had 11 interceptions, with 10 of them coming over the last two years. Unfortunately, though, his 5'9" 185 lbs build is going to likely make him strictly a slot CB, and I think there were better options on the board for the Colts to add a depth outside CB, which was a bigger need.

Grade: C

Round 7, Pick 234: Jonah Laulu, DT, Oklahoma

With their final selection in the 2024 NFL Draft, the Colts added a versatile defensive lineman, Jonah Laulu, out of Oklahoma. He lined up off the edge and on the interior at Oklahoma, but I feel pretty confident that they plan on him competing for a spot on the interior here. His ceiling is highest as a player there, thanks to his athleticism. The goal of this pick is for him to develop as a pass rusher off the interior and possibly become someone who can fill in for DeForest Buckner when he needs a breather. And I love the high upside swing with the 7th-round pick here.

Grade: B

Overall Draft Class Grade: B+

This class is going to give the Colts immediate starter upgrades at edge rusher (Latu), WR (Mitchell), and kick/punt returner (Gould). They also land a high upside potential future answer at C (Bortolini). They also landed players who I believe will be immediate upgrades in terms of depth on their roster at G (Goncalves and Bortolini), C (Bortolini), LB (Carlise), and DB (Simpson). Their 6th and 7th round picks are the only two that seem on the roster bubble at this time , and even those selections have high upsides to bet on.

Related: Colts 2024 Undrafted Free Agent Signing Live Tracker