INDIANAPOLIS — As is normally the case, Shane Steichen’s eyes brightened.
The second-year head coach of the Indianapolis Colts was in a co-starring role Saturday evening with general manager Chris Ballard in a sum-up session following the long and winding experience of the three-day, 257-pick NFL draft.
But Steichen’s attention was redirected to the makeup of a 2024 offense that features quarterback Anthony Richardson, running back Jonathan Taylor, wideouts Michael Pittman Jr., Josh Downs and Alec Pierce and a diverse tight ends room.
And let’s not forget, the starting offensive line returns intact.
That collection was fattened by four of the nine draft picks: wideouts Adonai Mitchell (round 2) and Anthony Gould (round 5), tackle Matt Goncalves (round 3) and guard/center Tanor Bortolini (round 4).
It’ll be up to Steichen and offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter to maximize the available talent.
“It’s actually a good problem to have because we’ve got a lot of dudes,’’ Steichen said. “We’ve got to do a great job. Obviously, there’s one football that goes around. But we’ve got a lot of talent and we’ve got to utilize that talent.
“It’s our job to put those guys in position to go do it, but we’re fired up about what we have on offense. I’m fired up. Competition makes everybody better.’’
And that’s one of the overriding factors on day three of the draft. Saturday, it was four rounds and 156 NFL newbies who must prove they belong at this level, and with the Colts.
By extension, a prospect selected in rounds 4-7 must possess different layers to his game. In many cases, he must possess positional flexibility.
“We’re always asking the question: ‘How’s this guy getting to Sunday?’ How’s this guy gonna dress?’’’ Ballard said. “You’re dressing 48 guys, eight (offensive) linemen.
“So, if you draft an offensive lineman to just play one position — unless you’re the starter — it’s very difficult. You need to have a guy that can play both tackle spots, a guy that can play both guard spots and two more guys that can snap the football.’’
Goncalves started 24 games at Pitt: 13 at right tackle, 11 at left tackle. He started three at left tackle in 2023 before suffering a season-ending toe injury.
Bortolini? How about 28 starts at Wisconsin at five positions: 13 at center, including 12 in ’23, eight at left guard, three at right guard, three at left tackle and one at tight end in ’21.
“I think it’s the same thing at any position,’’ Ballard said. “You’ve got to have some versatility to be able to play multiple spots. We’ve kinda tried to do that as much as we can every year, but this year was a little unusual with that.’’
Jaylon Carlies (round 5) started 40 games at Missouri at safety and linebacker. The Colts project the 6-foot-3, 227-pounder at ‘backer.
Jaylin Simpson’s 47-game career at Auburn included 23 starts divvied up between safety and cornerback.
Sixth-round pick Micah Abraham started 46 games at Marshall, most at outside cornerback. At 5-foot-10 and 185 pounds, he might be better suited to grow as Kenny Moore II’s backup at nickel.
“Day three, what you’re really looking for is guys with upside and you have a chance to hit on, can down the line be a future starter, which we know the odds are low,” Ballard said. “I mean, they are. The odds are low. We’ve had a lot of success in the third day finding those type of players.’’
Such as defensive tackle Grover Stewart (round 4 in 2017), running back Nyheim Hines (round 4 in ’18), linebacker Zaire Franklin (round 7 and the 235th player taken in ’18), linebacker E.J. Speed (round 5 and 164th overall in ’19), starting right guard Will Fries (round 7 and No. 248 in ’21) and a 2023 class that includes tackle Blake Freeland (round 4), tight end Will Mallory (round 5), and cornerback Jaylon Jones (round 7).
“Our scouts, look, they’re involved at every round,’’ Ballard said. “But I give them a lot of credit, especially on the third day.
“They’re the ones that have been digging and fighting for these guys.’’
Another trade
Ballard orchestrated another trade Saturday, running his ’24 draft total to three. After trades in rounds 2-3, he added a third.
The Colts sent the fifth-round pick (No. 155) they acquired from Carolina to Philadelphia in return for Nos. 164 (round 5) and 201 (round 6). They took Simpson at No. 164 and Abraham at No. 201.
You can follow Mike Chappell on Twitter at @mchappell51.
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