I’ve ranked each player by pure talent/draft-ability. I’ve included my own “fit” with the Colts based on roster, coach, current GM, and franchise timeline.
1.
Bryce Young - Alabama
5’10”
180lb in season*
22 years old at start of next season
Pros -
Great field knowledge. Can easily make 3+ progressions.
Good arm. Not a cannon but can deliver the ball to all levels on time.
Consistent accuracy and good ball placement.
Makes off platform throws. Multiple arm angles.
Amazing pocket movement and discipline.
Cons -
Size. Unprecedentedly small. Small frame. Might not be able to get much bigger. If he had even Russel Wilson’s frame, he would be the hands-down 1st pick.
Escapes the pocket too early at times.
Personality -
Soft spoken. Accepts criticism well. Accepts blame. Emotional leader. Cool under pressure. Played on the big stage.
NFL readiness -
He’ll be ready to start day one wherever he goes.
Fit for Colts - B
I’m going to base all of these fits on the assumption that the O-Line will improve next year. I don’t expect it to magically return to a top 3 unit. But I think they can average around the top 9-12 groups by the 1st quarter of the season’s end.
*He’s supposedly getting up to around 200 pounds before the draft. It’s still to be seen if he can keep that weight on in season.
Bryce would be an amazing fit; if his size translates. He’s a tremendous gamble. The Colts have had some issues with allowing immediate pressure up the middle, even when playing well. Which makes me nervous. But everything else is there. If he were Justin Fields size, Fields would be on the trade block instead of the #1 pick. That’s how good he is.
It’s a risk I wouldn’t be mad at the Colts taking. But a hefty risk nonetheless.
2.
CJ Stroud - Ohio State
6’3”
218lb
21
Pros -
NFL frame.
Age.
Runs the offense well. Great in 2 min drill. Calm under pressure.
Nice, easy release.
Great at avoiding pressure in the pocket.
Poised in pocket. Doesn’t fear the rush.
Strong arm. 4th in D1 air yards in 2022 (2151). Can roll right and easily hit the left sideline downfield.
Accurate, especially over the middle.
Has a knack for fitting balls into tight coverage.
Can move outside the pocket to set up throws.
Played his best career game in his most pressured moment against the best defense in the country.
Cons -
Fumble potential. Loose ball protection in and out pocket.
Most throws are to 1st read.
Doesn’t progress through reads quickly.
Takes sacks.
Needs to scramble more when it’s available.
Played with multiple 1st rnd WR’s the last two years. Including Marvin Harrison Jr.
Inconsistent. Played great against great teams. But average against ok/bad teams.
Personality -
Says all the right things.
Seems relaxed but confident. Mature for his age.
NFL readiness -
I think he’s ready to start now. There will definitely be some training wheels at first. But he has already shown an ability to manage games, which should make for a smooth transition while he continues to learn.
Fit for Colts - B+
I just like this kid. People talk about him being the “safe” option but I think he has some boom or bust potential as well. He’s young, has a great foundation, and time to learn. After watching Andrew Luck willingly destroy his body every week, I’d welcome a QB who needs to be pushed a little to take off and run.
He likes to stay in the pocket. But he has the strength to brush off contact and the agility to loop backside and create throwing lanes. Which I think would work well with what I expect of the O-Line. Our WR’s haven’t proven that they can consistently create separation. So his ability to move outside and fit balls in tight windows peaks my interest.
3.
Will Levis - Kentucky
6’3”
230
24
Pros -
Prototype size.
Physically strong.
Tough runner. Willing to take off.
Smart. Had Ivy League offers.
Has potential to get much better.
Probably the best/strongest arm in the draft. Easy arm strength. Great mechanics.
Throws in tight windows.
Played well against top competition with lesser talent around him.
Shows an ability to process the field.
Handles pressure well. Isn’t afraid to get hit.
Has some anticipation on routes, though inconsistent.
Played hurt most of season. (Foot, finger on throwing hand, non-throwing shoulder)
Cons-
Older compared to others in the class but is still more raw than most.
Inconsistent. Has some “What are you doing?” moments.
Inconsistent accuracy at all levels.
Throws too hard/lacks touch at times and trusts his arm too much.
Takes off running too quickly.
Personality -
Professional. His age is mitigated by his maturity and confidence. Comfortable with the media. Seems humble. Tough. Plays through injuries. Puts in the work.
NFL readiness -
Needs to start early. Has the maturity to lead NFL players. I think his issues would be best worked out on the field. After a strong training camp and preseason he should be ready to learn on the fly.
Fit with Colts - B+
I like him the more that I watch him. A lot depends on Shane Steichen, the new Head Coach, here. There’s a lot to like and a lot to work on. It would be a great opportunity/challenge for a new coach who’s had success with young QB’s. Levis isn’t ultra comparable to Rivers, Herbert, or Hurts. But he does have the size and smarts that Steichen has worked with and developed well.
One of the younger QB’s might be more ideal considering the talent parity. But he does have the moxy to walk in and lead a team. And this team desperately needs a commanding leader.
4.
Anthony Richardson - Florida
6’4”
235
22
Pros -
Age.
Blank slate for a coach to teach.
All the potential in the world.
Elite arm strength. Unreal arm talent.
Powerful, talented runner. Can make people miss on the run.
Fast enough to outrun LB’s and maybe even some DB’s.
Throws well while getting hit and from a crowded pocket.
Downfield accuracy.
Decisive with reads.
Anticipates some throws.
Shows the ability to move in the pocket and avoid pressure.
Finds the check-down.
Cons -
As raw as it gets.
Incredibly inconsistent. Does everything perfect on one play, then slips through fundamentals on the next.
Inexperienced. Needs time to develop before starting.
Footwork. Causes him to miss easy throws. Uses his arm to bail out his feet.
Downfield vision.
Personality -
Team player. Still learning how to be a leader. Quiet. Honest when answering media questions.
NFL readiness -
Probably a year away from starting. A talented coach could likely find ways to get him on the field. But I sincerely doubt he’s ready to take on NFL defenses.
Fit with Colts - B-
In 2-3 years AR could easily be the best player from this class. But the Colts don’t have time to wait on that much development. Steichen and Chris Ballard could have a field day with this guy. But I don’t see BDB making it to that time frame if this team is middling for that long.
He is very much a “Ballard” type prospect who checks all the physical boxes, has insane potential, and his issues seem coachable. It’ll be interesting if the Colts stay pat at #4. At least 2 of the top 3 should be off the board. And anything could happen.
I don’t think this fan base would be too happy knowing it will likely be another year or two before they see results from this pick. But I really don’t know if Ballard could help himself against the opportunity for upside. Even if it likely gets him fired.
5.
Hendon Hooker - Tennessee
6’3”
215
25
Pros -
Great arm. Tied for most D1 completions with 40+ air yards in 2022. (9)
Throws confident, accurate bombs when opportunity presents itself.
Stays upright and poised in pocket. Isn’t disrupted easily.
Talented runner. Keeps defenses honest. Gathers speed quickly and is comfortable in the open field.
Shows good footwork.
Plays with incredible rhythm. Has great timing with WR’s and the offense in general.
Played behind a suspect O-Line. Possibly the reason for some of his quick decisions to run and his toesyness in the pocket.
Cons -
Age. Older that Herbert, Hurts, Tua, Mac Jones, T-Law, and Fields.
Injury. Torn ACL.*
Decision making is questionable for a redshirt senior. Wants to make a big play rather than a 1st down.
Seems like he’d rather risk the sack for a 15yd run than an easy throw for 10-12yds.
Inconsistent deep ball.
College offense’s concepts don’t translate. Not his fault. But hard to know what he’s supposed to be doing.
Mostly timing based. Tends to take off in moments of distress instead of re-centering and making off schedule throws.
Personality -
Trusts his guys and coaches. Confident. Loves football. Answers media questions the right way while being descriptive. Looks like he wants to pop off, mad, but doesn’t. Mature.
NFL readiness -
*Tore ACL in November 2022. Says he’ll be ready for NFL training camp this year.
Hard to tell if he’s a confident monster or a tough pretender. Would be ideal in a situation where he was forced to sit and learn while not rushing his rehab. But, with his age, that’s a hard ask. This has Rams in the 2nd rnd all over it to me.
Fit with Colts - C
Another Ballard-esque guy. Coming off a major injury. CB loves guys that drop due to medical concerns. Especially when they’re not as time consuming as they used to be. He stays ahead of that curve.
Side note: It’s dumbfounding that an ACL tear used to be a 12 month rehab, minimum. Now Double H is saying he’ll be ready for non-contact drills in 7-8. Crazy.
We could easily move our 2nd round pick up to the end of the 1st to get Hooker. (À la The Ravens with Lamar Jackson)But I don’t want to associate with Baltimore and that doesn’t feel like the right move right now. HH feels like a move we’d make out of desperation if the board falls wrong, simply outsmarting ourselves, or dare I say, someone being smarter than me. Oh, the thought…
Top 5 Conclusion-
The more and more I watch the top 4 guys the more I think the Colts are going to be okay with staying at pick #4 and taking the one guy left if we see three QB’s go before us. Which I doubt happens. I’d be perfectly happy with any of my top three. Granted we haven’t seen them at the combine yet. But right now I’m leaning towards Levis and Stroud as 1a-1b. I’d really need some NFL guys to say that they think Young could stay healthy at the next level for me to be comfortable taking him over the other two.
Richardson’s development timeline and floor are his biggest deterrents. He’s right there with the other 3 as far as what their “Total Score” might be. But, his potential and measurables are carrying the water. I could absolutely see him being the Colts preference if they like him in interviews and feel they can get the best out of him.
Hooker could definitely be a dark-horse. I don’t see it at #4 and at that point you have to be careful moving your 1st or 2nd round pick to get him. Cuz if you miss, and someone else grabs him, boy are we in trouble. There seems to be a significant drop off as far as game changing QBs after these 5.
Indy Blue Shoe 
Leave a comment