Who Did the Indianapolis Colts Draft In 2024? Picks, Analysis, and More

After finding what appears to be its next franchise QB with Anthony Richardson near the top of the 2023 NFL Draft, the Indianapolis Colts managed a respectable season when Richardson was sidelined after four games. Gardner Minshew took over under center and guided the Colts to a 9-8 finish as Indianapolis narrowly missed the playoffs.

Richardson was cleared to throw in February for the first time after October shoulder surgery, and the Colts have their full array of picks in the 2024 NFL Draft to continue to build around him.

Indianapolis Colts Draft Picks by Round in 2024

• Round 1, Pick 15
  Laiatu Latu, EDGE | UCLA
• Round 2, Pick 52 (from CAR through LAR)
  Adonai Mitchell, WR | Texas
• Round 3, Pick 79 (from ARI through ATL through JAX)
  Matt Goncalves, OT | Pittsburgh
• Round 4, Pick 117
  Tanor Bortolini, C | Wisconsin
• Round 5, Pick 142 (from CAR through TEN)
  Anthony Gould, WR | Oregon State
• Round 5, Pick 151
  Jaylon Carlies, S | Missouri
• Round 5, Pick 164 (from PHI through DET)
  Jaylin Simpson, S | Auburn
• Round 6, Pick 201 (from PHI through DET through TB)
  Micah Abraham, CB | Marshall
• Round 7, Pick 234
  Jonah Laulu, DT | Oklahoma

Who Did the Colts Draft in 2024?

Laiatu Latu, EDGE, Round 1, Pick 15

The Colts opted to turn to defense at No. 15, going with Laiatu Latu out of UCLA to bolster the edge rush room.

Ironically, EDGE was considered one of the deepest and most talented positions for Indianapolis last season. Colt defenders there produced 30 of the teams’ 51 sacks last season — including watching three defenders produce between 8-9.5 sacks.

However, Latu earned lots of buzz as a surefire first round talent after a stellar career with the Bruins. PFN’s Ian Cummings was one who took a liking to Latu’s skillset, motor and overall ceiling.

“Latu grades out as a top-20 prospect in the 2024 NFL Draft and one of the top EDGE prospects in the class. Now that he has passed NFL Combine medical evaluations without any setbacks, he’s worthy of early-to-mid first-round capital and has the upside to be a game-changing presence for an NFL defense,” Cummings said.

Laiatu Latu has the upside of a true game-wrecker at the next level. 😤#GoBruins | #ForTheShoe pic.twitter.com/Fa4DOO0TwQ

— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) April 26, 2024

Cummings includes that Latu’s game brings an excited flair to the field — which should energize Colts fans.

“Latu is perhaps the most exciting pass rusher in the 2024 NFL Draft EDGE class. Not only is he explosive, twitched-up, and insanely flexible for his size, but he also has deadly hand-fighting chops. He has a barrage of moves at his disposal, and he stacks combos and counters with elite quickness, precision, and reaction speed,” Cummings said.

Adonai Mitchell, WR, Round 2, Pick 52

The Colts gained new draft capital in a deal with the Carolina Panthers. Indianapolis traded down to the 52nd pick but gained two extra fifth rounders in the process.

And at No. 52, Indy added a future wideout for Richardson in Texas standout Adonai Mitchell.

KEEP READING: Indianapolis Colts’ 2024 NFL Draft Grades

The Colts are luring in a speedy tall wideout who accelerated to a 4.34 time in his 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine. He also leaped to a 39’5″ vertical jump. Cummings first handed him a top-25 grade following Mitchell’s impressive testing numbers.

“At just 21 years old, Mitchell is already a surgical route runner with size-defying flexibility, bend, footwork efficiency, and hinge fluidity. And he packs in his explosiveness, forward-pressing speed, agility, and twitch, physicality, and nuance to further confound defenders in 1-on-1 situations,” Cummings said.

He adds how Mitchell will have to establish some consistency on the field. But overall, Richardson has a new towering option on Sundays.

Matt Goncalves, OT, Round 3, Pick 79

The Colts elevated themselves to the 79th pick in a deal with the Arizona Cardinals, who earned the 82nd and Indianapolis’ sixth rounder (191st pick).

Matt Goncalves became the selection at No. 79 for Indy, who now gives Richardson a new pass protector moving forward. Cummings says the Colts’ newcomer comes with great size at 6’6,” 327-pounds and knows how to use it.

“At his size, Goncalves has great knee bend, leverage acquisition, and awareness, both in the passing game and the run game. As a run blocker, he’s angle-sound and physical, and as a pass protector, he’s balanced, combative, and strong enough to absorb power with his anchors,” Cummings said.

Tanor Bortolini, C, Round 4, Pick 117

It’s not a surprise the Colts have addressed their offensive line. After taking the Pittsburgh tackle in the third round, Indianapolis has chosen the Wisconsin center for the 117th pick in the fourth round.

Behind Ryan Kelly, Bortolini could be in a perfect situation.

“It may serve Bortolini well to spend time as a primary depth piece early on, but already, he’s a scheme-versatile run blocker with outside zone, counter, and gap flexibility,” Cummings said. “In time, he can become an impact two-phase starter with the range and tenacity to be a game-changer.”

Anthony Gould, WR, Round 5, Pick 142

You can never provide a young quarterback with too many pass catchers. That’s what the Colts are choosing to do when it comes to Oregon State wide receiver Anthony Gould. Gould has returned experience despite his short size and should provide plenty of fireworks for a Colts offense welcoming Anthony Richardson back into the fold.

“Gould’s contributions as a returner could be his best chance to make a roster as a Day 3 prospect, but he could see a specialist/rotational type role in 11 personnel on the offensive side of the ball in the NFL,” Cummings said.

Jaylon Carlies, S, Round 5, Pick 151

You can never have enough secondary help in a division with Trevor Lawrence and C.J.Stroud in it. Carlies is a developmental secondary piece who can track the football well and improved every year he was in college.

“Carlies needs to keep refining his game as a processor and be more consistent with his angles. He must also keep chipping away at his technique, to more efficiently carry his taller frame in space,” Cummings said of the safety. “In the meantime, he shouldn’t play man coverage too often. But projecting into the future, Carlies has the tools to be a superb box safety, with enhanced versatility and numerous coverage capabilities beyond that.”

Jaylin Simpson, S, Round 5, 164

The Colts did enough in the draft to bolster their secondary but getting a steal in the fifth-round certainly helps. Simpson has excellent speed and versatility in the back end and could compete right away on special teams for Indianapolis. His main problem really is his size.

“Simpson’s smaller frame likely keeps his stock closer to Day 3, but teams will covet his versatility and traits to be a quality slot/safety hybrid, especially as more and more teams live in sub-packages as their “base” looks. Seeing his name called in the third round wouldn’t be a surprise,” Cummings explained.

Micah Abraham, CB, Round 6, Pick 201

Abraham picked off four passes for the Thundering Herd in 2023 and is considered a project for the Colts in the secondary. He totaled 12 interceptions, 150 tackles, 43 pass break-ups, one forced fumble, and 2.5 tackles for a loss in his five-year career. With so much production, Abaraham could be seen as a player who can make an impact on special teams while keeping the organization ahead of schedule in their pass defense.

Jonah Laulu, DT, Round 7 Pick 234

The Colts concluded their 2024 draft by drafting the Oklahoma defensive tackle in Laulu. The seventh-round pick should provide plenty of depth for the overall roster and has an overall adequate build to help the Colts defensive in the immediate future.

All the 2024 NFL Draft resources you need — the draft order, the top QBs, the Top 100 prospects, and the full 2024 Big Board — right at your fingertips at Pro Football Network!