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Indianapolis Colts: 2023 NFL Draft A Masterclass For Chris Ballard

By Jacob Schyvinck

GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 17: Anthony Richardson #15 of the Florida Gators looks on before the start of a game against the South Florida Bulls at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on September 17, 2022 in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)
GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 17: Anthony Richardson #15 of the Florida Gators looks on before the start of a game against the South Florida Bulls at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on September 17, 2022 in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images) /
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The 2023 NFL Draft was an absolute masterclass by the Indianapolis Colts and could be the job-saver for general manager Chris Ballard.

Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard needed a draft like this. After retreading veterans at the quarterback position, and numerous statements about finding the right guy and the clock truly starting to tick on one’s job when you draft a young guy, Ballard finally did it. He drafted a young quarterback.

Anthony Richardson was Ballard’s guy in the 2023 NFL Draft, and it fits the bill in terms of what Ballard valued at other position. Usually, the formula involves heightened/elite athleticism (10.00 RAS, check), bigger for the position (6’4 1/4″, 244 pounds – check) and senior bowl guy (miss, but oh well). Richardson checked two of those boxes, and for his money, the most important ones.

Not to mention, Richardson has plenty of traits that warranted the selection this high. The word “raw” is thrown around, but inexperienced is a better term, as Richardson just has 13 career collegiate starts. Richardson has a rocket arm and throws a tremendous deep ball with plenty of air under it. He throws with more anticipation than given credit for, and navigates the pocket at a very advanced level. The field vision is there too, and he avoids sacks at an impressive rate. He needs work with mechanics, but Richardson fits the Shane Steichen offense from Philadelphia, which will use the QB run game, a bunch of screens, and a focus on the vertical passing game.

Next up on the list for Ballard in the 2023 NFL Draft was helping out the secondary. Julius Brents is exactly on track for Ballard’s mold (see above). Brents is a big, long corner with impressive fluidity for his size, great physicality throughout the route and at the catch point, and plays with his hair on fire. Darius Rush is another big corner from the SEC who has continued to play better ball year after year. Cal’s Daniel Scott is a safety who can hang in a deep half zone and find the football in opportunistic situations. Jaylon Jones (Texas A&M) is another fabulous swing at corner late.

Perhaps the best selection for the Indianapolis Colts was getting North Carolina receiver Josh Downs at pick 79. A consensus top five receiver, Downs is outside of what Ballard usually drafts, but at that point in the draft, bending your usual thresholds for a steal is the right call. Not to mention, Downs fits Steichen’s system perfectly too. Downs has the speed to win vertically, but is a great separator with efficient route breaks, great flexibility to sink his hips, and pace variation. Giving Richardson an instant separator is huge.

The trenches weren’t forgotten either. Blake Freeland has his warts as a pass protector, some of which stems from his height and difficulty gaining leverage, but he’s got impressive athleticism and quicks out of his stance to handle reach blocking and getting into his sets in pass pro. Adetomiwa Adebawore was thought to go much earlier, but his athleticism and potential is a great pick in the fourth round.

With pressure mounting for Chris Ballard, the 2023 NFL Draft is the draft that could get the Indianapolis Colts back on track, and if things hit in a big way, we might look back and see this draft as the one that got Ballard and company a ring.

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