Bryce Young. Butch Dill-USA TODAY Sports

Way-too-early Indianapolis Colts NFL Draft preview

By Colum Dell | Last updated 1/11/23

The 2023 NFL Draft is April 27-29 in Kansas City. Here is the projected first-round order, per Tankathon.

2022 record: 4-12-1 | First-round pick: No. 4 | Team needs: QB, OL, WR

Snapshot: Since Andrew Luck's shocking retirement in 2019, Indianapolis has been hunting for QBs in the clearance section. Ready to find the long-term answer, GM Chris Ballard said he’ll do “whatever it takes” to trade up if he believes his franchise QB is in the draft.

Potential first-round picks: Bryce Young, QB, Alabama; C.J. Stroud, QB, Ohio State; Will Levis, QB, Kentucky.

With the Bears set a QB, it’s widely speculated they’ll trade out of the first overall pick, and the Colts might be the perfect team to pull off a deal. By swapping picks with the Colts, the Bears would theoretically still be able to acquire one of the top defensive prospects, DT Jalen Carter of Georgia or OLB Will Anderson Jr. of Alabama.

Young, the 2021 Heisman Trophy winner, went 23-4 as the Crimson Tide’s starting QB the last two seasons. He threw for 8,356 yards and 80 passing touchdowns in his college career. His Pro Football Focus passing grade of 91.5 was the highest among the nation’s starting QBs

Per OddsChecker.com, Young is the favorite to go first overall.

The tight shot gives you an idea of just how impressive Bryce Young’s fourth TD pass against Kansas State was. pic.twitter.com/20xhvSwhPc
— Jordan Reid (@Jordan_Reid) January 2, 2023

Should Indianapolis fail to land Young, Ohio State’s Stroud and Kentucky’s Levis are the alternatives.

Stroud is highly accurate (69.3% completion percentage) and threw for 85 TDs at Ohio State. Levis didn't have similar production or team success as his more accomplished QB classmates, but his physical tools were enough to be named Mel Kiper’s top QB prospect.

After the first round, expect Indianapolis to add to its offensive line. Ballard cited the OL’s inability to gel this season as a reason for the team’s struggles. Unable to live up to its usual standards, the Colts' OL gave up 60 sacks this season, second most in the league.

There is no telling how many of Indianapolis' eight draft picks it will keep if it trades up. Besides adding OL depth with their later picks, the Colts should aim to add a receiver. Indianapolis’ 66.5 PFF receiving grade was 29th in the NFL this season.

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