The Indianapolis Colts entered the 2024 NFL Draft with seven picks over the three-day event.
They spent the first of those picks, No. 15 overall, on the first defender taken on Thursday night, UCLA pass rusher Laiatu Latu.
Latu comes with some medical questions — he was forced to medically retire at one point early on in his collegiate career — but when he returned, he was an absolute force. After posting the third-highest single-season sack total (13) in UCLA history in 2023, he won the Ted Hendricks Award, given to college football’s top defensive end, and the Lombardi Award, honoring the lineman on either side of the ball who best represents the values of Vince Lombardi.
His addition to the Colts’ defense should fortify their pass rush, and Indy’s second-round pick should help Anthony Richardson develop into the QB they want him to be. The Colts traded down six spots but still ended up with a talented playmaker in Texas wide receiver Adonai Mitchell at No. 52.
The 6-foot-2, 205-pound receiver helped Georgia win back-to-back national championships before transferring to Texas where he led the Big 12 in receiving touchdowns with 11 and was named the conference’s Offensive Newcomer Of the Year.
In Round 3, Ballard continued theme of surrounding Richardson with talent by trading up three spots for Pittsburgh offensive tackle Matt Goncalves.
Keep coming back here throughout the draft for analysis and grades for each Colts pick.
NFL Draft 2024 tracker: Live blog, pick-by-pick grades and analysis
Big board best available: Who’s left from Dane Brugler’s Top 300?
Draft pick grades: Nick Baumgardner, Scott Dochterman rate Rounds 2-3
Full draft order: Team picks for all 257 selections
“The Athletic Football Show”: Watch live reaction to the draft
Round 1
No. 15: Laiatu Latu, edge, UCLA
How he fits
The Colts got a good one in Latu, who was arguably the best defensive player in college football last season. Indianapolis, meanwhile, ranked 28th in scoring defense, 24th in run defense and allowed 22 rushing touchdowns.
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Latu should help in every area, and he also enters the NFL as one of its best stories — his NFL dream nearly was derailed by a neck injury in 2020, which caused him to miss two seasons and led him to medically retire while at Washington; he was cleared to play again after surgery, then transferred to UCLA in 2022.
The only question is whether a cornerback might have been a more impactful pick, but Latu is a keeper. — Dochterman
Grade: B-plus
James Boyd’s analysis
Latu was forced to medically retire due to a neck injury he sustained in 2020 and did not play football in 2021, but he returned to action and dominated in 2022 and 2023. The Colts obviously must be convinced Latu’s neck won’t be an issue since they decided to use a first-round pick on him. If Indianapolis hits on this selection, Latu will be a massive addition in a division that features the league’s latest QB star, Houston’s C.J. Stroud.
More from Boyd on Latu: Colts believe Latu is ‘elite’ pass rusher who can help Indy hunt down AFC’s premier QBs
Dane Brugler’s analysis
A one-year starter at UCLA, Latu was an outside edge rusher in former defensive coordinator D’Anton Lynn’s scheme, splitting his time standing up and rushing with his hand on the ground (was also schemed inside at times). Medically rejected at Washington, he was cleared by doctors after transferring to UCLA and was extremely productive over the past two seasons, with 129 total pressures in 25 games. After leading the FBS in tackles for loss in 2023, the consensus All-American cleaned up on the awards circuit as a senior, taking home the Morris Trophy (best DL in Pac-12), Ted Hendricks Award (top DE in FBS) and Lombardi Award (top OL/DL in FBS).
For pass rushers, there is a saying: “Beat the hands, beat the man.” Latu lives by this principle with the cohesive way he weaponizes his hands and feet to defeat blocks (led the FBS with a 24.6 percent pass-rush win percentage in 2023). As a run defender, his lack of ideal length and pop will show at times, but he made significant improvements with his read/react in this area as a senior.
Overall, Latu’s medical history will play a major part in his draft grade, but he is a pass-rush technician with the instinctive feel and athletic bend to be an impactful “two-way go” rusher in the NFL. His play style and journey are reminiscent of Miami Dolphins 2021 first-rounder Jaelan Phillips.
Round 2
No. 52 (from LAR via CAR): Adonai Mitchell, WR, Texas
How he fits
Now we’re talking. Rather than go receiver in the first round, GM Chris Ballard opted for his top edge (Latu). And Mitchell — a big, long, fast and explosive X receiver who can line up all over the field — could have been in Round 1 himself. He has to be more consistent and continue maturing, but goodness, there is upside here. This is potentially a great fit for Anthony Richardson. — Dochterman
Grade: A
James Boyd’s analysis
After trading back from No. 46 to No. 52, this was a great pick for the Colts. Mitchell was projected by some as a first-round talent, so snagging him in the second round while adding additional draft capital is a win-win. He fills one of Indianapolis’ needs, and after seeing what Steichen pulled off last season, the Colts should feel confident in giving Steichen another playmaker to boost his offense.
AD meet AR, AR meet AD.
📺 #NFLDraft on ESPN/ABC/NFLN pic.twitter.com/NSxW7669U3
— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) April 27, 2024
Dane Brugler’s analysis
A one-year starter at Texas, Mitchell was an outside wide receiver in head coach Steve Sarkisian’s spread, RPO offense. After helpi ng Georgia win a pair of national championships, he transferred to Texas (to be closer to his daughter) and helped the Longhorns reach the College Football Playoffs. He also became just the fifth player in Texas history with 11 touchdown grabs in a single season.
Despite some wasted movements in his routes that need to be tightened up, Mitchell cleanly accelerates/decelerates at will with the fluid movement skills to create separation out of his breaks (his 81.8 percent first down/touchdown rate in 2023 was the best among the receivers in this draft class). Though not the strongest player through contact, he has the hand-eye coordination and pliable frame to adjust, high point and reach throws most receivers cannot.
Overall, Mitchell needs to become a more detail-focused receiver to fully unlock his talent, but he has the body length, loose athleticism and catch-point skills to be a chain-moving weapon. He projects as a rangy, outside-the-numbers target with the lean, limber body type reminiscent of the late Chris Henry.
Round 3
No. 79 (from JAX via ATL/ARI/IND): Matt Goncalves, OT, Pittsburgh
How he fits
Indianapolis moved up three spots (from 82 to 79) to grab Pittsburgh offensive lineman Matt Goncalves, who played both left and right tackle. Goncalves (6-6, 327) is a powerful mauler more than likely to kick inside. He missed nine games with a left foot injury last year. This was too high for the Colts to take Goncalves, who was projected as a fifth-rounder. That’s especially true for a trade. — Dochterman
Grade: C-minus
Game ready. 💪 pic.twitter.com/ADKCGLweP3
— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) April 27, 2024
Dane Brugler’s analysis
A four-year starter at Pittsburgh, Goncalves bounced between left and right tackle in former offensive coordinator Frank Cignetti’s balanced run-scheme. After he earned All-ACC honors as a junior, he received strong draft grades from NFL scouts in the summer but missed most of the 2023 season and draft process with a foot injury.
In pass protection, Goncalves plays with controlled urgency and makes good use of his physical, independent hands, although his average athleticism and high cut, upright playing style make it tough for quick recoveries. When he bends and runs his feet, he has the drive power to create displacement in the run game. Overall, Goncalves has several skills that will translate to tackle in the NFL, but a move inside to guard as a phone -booth blocker should better accentuate his size, strength and play style. He projects as an NFL reserve who can provide depth at multiple positions.
New #Colts OL Matt Goncalves says he’s had a lot of talks with position coach Tony Sparano Jr. throughout the pre-draft process. He believes one of his biggest assets is the versatility he’ll bring to the NFL.
— James Boyd (@RomeovilleKid) April 27, 2024
Round 4
No. 117
Round 5
No. 142
No. 151
No. 155
Round 6
No picks
Round 7
No. 234
(Photo of Mitchell: Scott Wachter / USA Today)
