At a glance: We wrote before the draft that the Colts were a wide receiver away from being a match-up nightmare. They added that piece with the second round selection of Parris Campbell and now the offense looks formidable. An elite quarterback, wide receiver and offensive line corps means this could be one of the strongest units in the NFL next year. And that defense isn't bad either.
Last year's key offensive pieces are all returning to Indianapolis along with (now healthy) tight end Jack Doyle and second round wide receiver selection Parris Campbell. The crease those two could add to 2018's fifth highest-scoring offense - per ESPN - is frightening. The addition of wide receiver Devin Funchess in free agency shouldn't be overlooked, and his one year deal points to how confident general manager Chris Ballard is that this could be a Super Bowl year.
Indianapolis recorded the 11th fewest sacks (38.0) last season, and while they didn't get any new interior pass rushers to help that stat, an influx of edge talent should make for great competition over the next few weeks. Newly-acquired Justin Houston and reigning defensive rookie of the year Darius Leonard are prime candidates to be sack monsters in 2019, but second round pick Ben Banogu has shown he can slip blocks and cause havoc in the backfield.
An interesting note on Indianapolis' selections - courtesy of Colts.com - is nearly all of the team's ten draft selections were team captains in college. Building a team with such high-character guys could be the key to Ballard's draft success.
DRAFT PICKS (per ESPN)
2.02 Rock Ya-Sin CB
2.17 Ben Banogu OLB
2.27 Parris Campbell WR
3.25 Bobby Okereke OLB
4.07 Khari Willis S
5.06 Marvell Tell III S
5.26 E.J. Speed ILB
6.26 Gerri Green OLB
7.26 Jackson Barton OT
7.32 Javon Patterson C
ORIGINAL COVER PHOTO: Minnesota Vikings
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