Colts 2024 NFL Draft takeaways: If Adonai Mitchell realizes potential, look out

The Indianapolis Colts were on the doorstep of the playoffs last season when the Houston Texans and their star quarterback, C.J. Stroud, slammed that door in their face.

However, the agony of being so close to the postseason didn’t spur general manager Chris Ballard to sign a bunch of outside free agents to close the gap. He hardly signed any. Ballard has never approached free agency aggressively, always preferring to build through the NFL Draft.

Before the draft, Ballard noted that his team needed to become more explosive. Although a healthy Anthony Richardson will certainly help in that department, Ballard’s first two picks validated his philosophy. UCLA edge rusher Laiatu Latu will look to ignite the defense. And Texas wide receiver Adonai Mitchell will look to turbo-boost the offense.

Both could be the difference between ending Indianapolis’ three-year playoff drought and falling painfully short yet again.

Latu brings one of the best defensive resumes in the draft and a ready-made pass-rush arsenal. Mitchell was the opposite, saying he was “pissed off” after having to wait to hear his name called until No. 52. The 21-year-old isn’t as polished as Latu, but if he puts it all together, his impact could reverberate for years to come.

Ballard spent the rest of the draft adding depth, laying the foundation to eventually bridge the gap between the pre-Richardson era and the one in which the QB has become fully realized as the face of the franchise.

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Indianapolis Colts NFL Draft picks 2024: Grades, fits and scouting reports

Best pick

Many viewed Mitchell as a first-round talent, so getting him in the second round feels like a steal. He won’t be expected to change the offense overnight, but his immense physical traits speak to his upside and the value he could bring. Ballard passionately defended Mitchell, whose character was criticized by some anonymous sources during the pre-draft process, and thinks he can “do it all.” The key for Mitchell will be how quickly his production catches up to his potential.

The 21-year-old adds a dynamic vertical element to the Colts offense, which should go hand in hand with Richardson’s big arm. Mitchell, who began his career at Georgia, is coming off his best college season, totaling 55 catches for 845 yards and 11 touchdowns. A staggering 81.8 percent of his catches went for first downs or touchdowns, ranking No. 1 in the country.

Good news for Coach Reggie.

📺 #NFLDraft on ESPN/ABC/NFLN pic.twitter.com/y26gr9q3DZ

— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) April 27, 2024

He’ll need to improve his route running to carry over that impact into the NFL, but this is where the Shane Steichen effect comes into play. The Colts’ coach and play caller proved last year, amid several key absences, that he can maximize any offensive player at his disposal. Imagine what he’ll be able to do with a 6-foot-2, 205-pound receiver who runs a 4.34-second 40-yard dash.

Michael Pittman Jr., who inked a three-year, $70 million contract extension, will still receive the lion’s share of the targets, with Josh Downs manning the slot as the No. 2 option. Alec Pierce and Mitchell will compete on the outside for the No. 3 role.

Who will make the biggest immediate impact?

Latu was selected 15th overall, tied for the Colts’ highest defensive draft pick during Ballard’s eight-year tenure. He was the first defensive player selected after an NFL-record 14 offensive players were chosen before him and is “the best defensive player in the draft,” according to Ballard.

A serious neck injury that required cervical fusion surgery in 2021 forced Latu away from football for two years before he returned and starred at UCLA with 34 tackles for loss and 23 1/2 sacks across the last two seasons. Ballard has never taken a defensive player as dominant as Latu, a player he believes can turn a steady defensive line into an elite one.

“He’s a natural rusher,” Ballard said. “He’s a three-way rusher, where he has got a great, long arm down the middle, and he’s got a great feel of when to counter inside, and he can win on the edge. He’s kind of got all of it. I think our defensive front is the best since we’ve been here. It’s excellent.”

Latu joins a defensive line headlined by DeForest Buckner, who recently signed a two-year, $46 million extension. Last year, the Colts set an Indianapolis-era record with 51 sacks.

There’s “all ball” and there’s “only ball.” pic.twitter.com/wjBScvd3OF

— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) April 27, 2024

Biggest surprise

Spending a sixth-round pick on Marshall cornerback Micah Abraham was probably the biggest surprise of the draft. He simply doesn’t fit the Ballard prototype at cornerback. He’s undersized at just 5-9, 185 pounds, and he has a poor RAS (Relative Athletic Score) of 3.70. However, his ball-hawking skills were undeniable. Abraham, the cousin of former Colts cornerback Tim Jennings, racked up 50 pass breakups and 11 interceptions over his last three seasons at Marshall.

Micah Abraham was drafted in round 6 pick 201 in the 2024 draft class. He scored a 3.70 #RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 1558 out of 2472 CB from 1987 to 2024. https://t.co/uWwi9DWGkI pic.twitter.com/sjrPX9gJkG

— Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb) April 27, 2024

Biggest question mark

Ballard was bullish on his young cornerbacks before the draft, vehemently backing 2023 seventh-round pick Jaylon Jones and 2022 undrafted free-agent signee Dallis Flowers, who is coming off a torn Achilles. Assuming veteran Kenny Moore II will start in the slot and 2023 second-round pick JuJu Brents starts on the outside, that leaves one more outside starting job open. Since Ballard passed on drafting a cornerback early in this year’s draft, the question now becomes: Who will earn the third starting job, Flowers or Jones? Flowers started the first four games of the 2023 season before tearing his Achilles, while Jones came on later and started 10 games.

Remaining needs

The Colts probably still need more help at free safety since Rodney Thomas II and Nick Cross have yet to earn the starting role. Simpson could bolster the back end, with Ballard noting he offers versatility as an outside cornerback, nickel or safety. However, Ballard also mentioned his team is always looking for quality veterans, so it’s worth keeping in mind that high-caliber players, including Quandre Diggs and Justin Simmons, are still free agents. Diggs, 31, is a three-time Pro Bowler, with his last selection coming in 2022. He has started 112 games in his career. Simmons, 30, is coming off his third straight second-team All-Pro selection.

Before the draft, it seemed like the Colts would likely draft a running back. They still haven’t addressed the departure of backup Zack Moss, who signed with the Cincinnati Bengals in free agency. Indianapolis could always sign a veteran like Kareem Hunt or Ezekiel Elliott, but at this point, the team seems content with Trey Sermon, Evan Hull and Tyler Goodson duking it out for the RB2 role.

Post-draft outlook

Realistically, the two players who’ll make the biggest impacts in 2024 are Latu and Mitchell. Indianapolis has a lot riding on both players to help it gain ground in the AFC South, which it hasn’t won since 2014. Houston has loaded up with a few big-time additions and remains the top dog in the division, but if Latu can get to the quarterback and Mitchell can help keep the chains moving, the Colts should have a shot to earn their first division crown of the Ballard era.

For some, this might not have been the fireworks they wanted to see this offseason. But this was never really about the draft or free agency. It’s about Richardson and Ballard’s belief that his young signal caller can elevate the Colts in Year 2. That’s a lot of pressure to put on Richardson, though at every turn since he arrived in Indy, he has never shied away from it.

(Photos of Adonai Mitchell, Laiatu Latu and Matt Goncalves: Kevin C. Cox, Todd Rosenberg and Joe Robbins / Getty Images)