High Risk, High Reward? Latu and Mitchell Headline Colts’ Bold Draft Picks
The Indianapolis Colts draft turned heads after general manager Chris Ballard’s epic rant. Kudos to Ballard for sticking up for new receiver Adonai Mitchell and giving the internet a clip to play until the end of time. The Colts are third in the NFL odds to win the AFC South at +325 trailing the Texans and Jaguars.
-Chris Ballard when he first got hired in 2017
-Chris Ballard during the 2024 DraftNo particular reason other than I find it interesting. pic.twitter.com/hqQGqspSLi
— Cody Felger (@CPFelger55) May 3, 2024
Rants aside, it is hard to argue with the value the Colts received with Mitchell falling to the second round. Indy stopped the former Texas standout’s fall at No. 52. It was a surprise as Mitchell and former Longhorns teammate Xavier Worthy were both widely projected to be first-round picks.
The Colts took a gamble by selecting UCLA pass rusher Laiatu Latu with the No. 15 overall pick. There has been skepticism about Latu’s injury history given he was medically retired by Washington with a neck injury prior to transferring to UCLA.
From being told he’d never play football again to getting the call he’s waited for his whole career. 🔥 (via @NFLFilms)@laiatu_latu | @Colts pic.twitter.com/98nxdtDoA4
— NFL (@NFL) May 7, 2024
Despite my wife being a physician assistant, I don’t pretend to be a medical expert. We don’t have access to Latu’s medicals, but it is fair to wonder if Indianapolis would have been better off selecting Bama’s Dallas Turner. The former Crimson Tide pass rusher has plenty of upside without some of the medical risk.
Yet, it is understandable why Latu had plenty of appeal to the Colts given his production. Latu posted back-to-back seasons with double-digit sacks. The EDGE rusher notched 13 sacks, 21.5 tackles for loss, 49 tackles, and two forced fumbles in 12 appearances for UCLA in 2023.
Let’s take a look at the Colts draft results.
Colts GM Chris Ballard Rips Media a New One After Adonai Mitchell Selection
As mentioned above, Mitchell’s fall gave us this epic quote from Ballard. We can’t post a lot of it but you get the gist below.
“Put your name on it,” Ballard said, per NFL.com. “We tear these young men down. These are 21, 22-year-old men and if people out there can tell me they’re perfect in their lives, it’s crap. It’s crap.
“This is a good kid. For those reports to come out, I said it last year, it’s [expletive]. I’m sorry. I apologize for the language. I don’t, but I do.”
This is AWESOME!
A behind-the-scenes look at the Indianapolis Colts selecting Texas WR Adonai Mitchell in the 2024 NFL Draft. pic.twitter.com/5Mq5m5fE72
— Kyle Yates (@KyleYNFL) May 2, 2024
Mitchell began his collegiate career at Georgia before transferring to Texas in 2023. The playmaker is coming off his best season posting 55 receptions for 845 yards and 11 touchdowns for the Longhorns in 2023.
High Risk, High Reward? Colts Draft Laiatu Latu Despite Medical Concerns
As for Latu, the Colts did not have the same medical concerns as other teams. Ballard pointed to Latu’s production over the last two years as a major reason to have faith in the defender’s potential NFL career.
“I know the medical’s going to be a question,’ but like our doctors said, he just played two full years with it,” Ballard said of Latu, via Fox 59.
“We asked a ton of questions: career length, chance of it happening again.’’
Elsewhere, the Colts bolstered their offensive line with their next two selections: tackle Matt Goncalves and center Tanor Bortolini. There is plenty of upside with the Colts’ draft, but this also involves a great deal of risk.
Cornerback, Receiver Overlooked?
ESPN’s Mel Kiper gave Indy a B for their draft class. The longtime draft analyst criticized the Colts for passing on taking a cornerback until the sixth round. Indianapolis also did not get quarterback Anthony Richardson any help with more weapons early in the draft.
How cool is this. Empower your people pic.twitter.com/YxToRJxsxK
— John Middlekauff (@JohnMiddlekauff) May 3, 2024
“They really had to get a cornerback who could step in and start as a rookie for a defense that struggled to stop No. 1 wide receivers last season,” Kiper wrote. “While I thought they might also target a pass-catcher to give second-year quarterback Anthony Richardson more help, corner was the biggest hole for GM Chris Ballard & Co.
“So color me surprised when not only did Ballard pass on a corner in Round 1 — when he had his choice of the entire class — but he didn’t take one until Round 6,” Kiper continued.
“Indianapolis instead went with edge rusher Laiatu Latu (15), who will help this team as a rookie. I love the player but don’t quite understand what Ballard sees in his defensive back room that I don’t. He could have gone with Cooper DeJean, Terrion Arnold, or Quinyon Mitchell and upgraded at corner.”
If you are bullish on the Colts, it might be time to run to the sportsbook to take Indy to make the playoffs at +160.
Questions Of The Day
Why are there concerns about Colts draft pick Laiatu Latu?
Colts pass rusher Laiatu Latu was once medically retired at Washington with a neck injury but later resumed his career at UCLA.
What are the Colts odds to make the NFL playoffs this season?
Fans can bet the Colts to make the NFL playoffs at +160 compared to not making the postseason at -200.
