Indianapolis Colts: 8 Late Round Targets in the 2022 NFL Draft

Jaylen Watson, CB, Washington State

Jaylen Watson started his collegiate career at Ventura College in California, but eventually found himself at Washington State following a transfer. During the COVID-shortened 2020 season, Watson started three games and put his name out into the draft community. He returned to Wazzou the following year, starting 12 games and intercepting two passes during the campaign.

Jim Nagy, Executive Director of the Senior Bowl, extended an invite to Mobile to the cornerback. Watson made the most of this opportunity, opening many eyes during Senior Bowl week by sticking to pass catchers like glue all week long. He fits the measurement threshold for the position, and is still very raw. An NFL defensive coordinator should be able to mold Watson into a starting cornerback at the next level.

Jalyn Armour-Davis, CB, Alabama

The start of Jalyn Armour-Davis’ journey to the 2022 NFL Draft was quite different from the aforementioned Watson. Armour-Davis was a highly-regarded prospect coming out of high school, earning a four-star rating and staying in-state to play for Nick Saban and the Crimson Tide. Unfortunately, an injury caused him to redshirt in 2018, and he then spent the next two seasons playing in a rotational role for the defense and special teams.

In 2021, he finally earned his shot to be a full-time starter. Armour-Davis showcased why he was such a hot commodity coming out of high school, as he stood out as the best cornerback on the roster. He excelled in press-man coverage, utilizing some of the best footwork and pure technique of anyone in the country. At the Combine, he ran a 4.39 40-yard dash, proving that he has the athletic makeup that matches the technique. Armour-Davis is the type of personality that will fit seamlessly in Indianapolis, and gives the team a guy with more upside than anyone presently on the roster at that position.

Zyon McCollum, Safety/CB, Sam Houston State

I’m not 100% convinced that McCollum will be available this late once draft day comes around, but as of today he still isn’t receiving the hype that he deserves. If the Colts can scoop up a player of McCollum’s stature, he would bring a versatility to the team that isn’t presently available.

The safety position looks solid on paper, but both Khari Willis and Julian Blackmon have battled injuries over the course of their career. The need for cornerback has been bashed into your brains by me too much already, but I’ll say it one more time: the Indianapolis Colts MUST add reinforcements in the secondary. McCollum can kill two birds with one stone.

He was a menace in pass coverage during his time at Sam Houston State, constantly disrupting passing lanes and mirroring pass catchers downfield with ease. McCollum has the athletic profile to be an impact player at safety as well, in the event of injury to one of the starters. He possesses 4.33 speed and the exact type of edge you need to hold up as a defensive back in the NFL.