The Indianapolis Colts fell just short of earning a playoff spot in the 2023 season. Their matchup in Week 18 against the Houston Texans, which they lost 23-19, ended up being for the AFC South title after the Jacksonville Jaguars lost to the Tennessee Titans.
While it was a disappointing end to the season, getting eliminated right at the finish line, 2023 was still a success for the Colts. They outperformed all expectations placed on them and are in a good spot heading into the future.
Shane Steichen looks to be the real deal after his first season as head coach, leading Indianapolis to a 9-8 record. That came with starting quarterback Anthony Richardson being sidelined for the season in Week 5 because of a shoulder injury, pushing Gardner Minshew into the starting lineup.
NFL News & Rumors: Jared Verse, 2024 NFL Draft, Indianapolis Colts Updates
Upgrading the weapons around Richardson is likely near the top of the team’s to-do list this offseason so that he can realize his immense potential. However, in a recent mock draft done by ESPN analyst Matt Miller, he has the Colts adding an impact player on the other side of the ball. With the No. 15 pick, Miller has standout Florida State defensive end Jared Verse heading to Indianapolis.
“I’m going off the assumption the Colts will franchise tag wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr., and that would open the door for a pass-rusher here. The Colts have used recent draft picks on defensive ends in the first and second rounds with mixed results, and despite posting 51 sacks in 2023 (ranking fifth), they still lack a premier player at the position. Verse is a true 4-3 defensive end at 6-foot-4 and 260 pounds, and he posted nine sacks in 2023. With Verse opposite Kwity Paye and flanking DeForest Buckner, the front four could be a handful in Indy,” wrote Miller.
The Colts certainly took a team approach to getting after the quarterback. They had four different players record 8.0+ sacks in 2023, with Samson Ebukam leading the way with 9.5. Selecting another pass rusher wouldn’t seem to be the most pressing need, but teams can never have too many edge rushers.
NFL News & Rumors: Jared Verse, 2024 NFL Draft, Indianapolis Colts Updates
Verse would provide the Colts with the chance to hit on that premier pass rusher Miller believes they will be seeking. Indianapolis would have the makings of the most dominant defensive front adding him to what is already in place along the defensive line.
In the second round, Miller has the Colts selecting wide receiver Malachi Corley to help the offense. If their brain trust wants to target a pass catcher in Round 1, Brian Thomas Jr. out of LSU and Verse’s Florida State teammate, Keon Coleman, could be targeted.
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