Regrading the Colts’ 2024 Draft Class: Hits, Misses, and Lingering Questions for Chris Ballard
A month ago, the Colts were riding high. The roster looked sharp, the front office moves were paying off, and GM Chris Ballard was getting the kind of praise that makes a fanbase believe the stars are aligning.
But in the NFL, momentum is fragile. A few tough losses, a rash of injuries, and suddenly the team is in free fall - with questions swirling about the future of the front office and coaching staff.
Still, despite the recent slide, the Colts remain in the playoff picture. They control their own destiny and still have many of the core players who helped them climb to the top of the standings earlier in the season.
So how did we get here? And more importantly, where does this roster stand heading into the final stretch?
Let’s start by reassessing Ballard’s 2024 draft class - a group that looked promising in April but now feels like a mixed bag. Nine picks, ranging from potential franchise cornerstones to players who never made it out of training camp. Here’s a breakdown of each selection, what’s worked, what hasn’t, and what it all means for Ballard’s future in Indy.
Round 7, Pick 234: Jonah Laulu, DT - Grade: D+
Laulu was always a developmental swing - a long, athletic interior lineman brought in to provide depth behind some aging veterans. The plan was to stash him on the practice squad and see what he could become.
But the Raiders had other ideas, scooping him up after final cuts. He’s been starting on a struggling defense, which says more about their situation than his immediate impact.
For the Colts, the result is simple: they spent a pick and got nothing in return. The idea wasn’t bad, but the execution - or perhaps the patience - just didn’t pan out.
Round 6, Pick 201: Micah Abraham, CB - Grade: F
Abraham was drafted to compete for depth behind Kenny Moore in the slot. He didn’t make the roster, bounced around a few practice squads, and is currently out of the league. This one never got off the ground.
Late-round corners are always a gamble, but this pick didn’t even offer a glimpse of upside.
Round 5, Pick 164: Jaylin Simpson, S/CB - Grade: D
Simpson was part of Ballard’s experiment of drafting safeties and flipping them to new roles. In Simpson’s case, the Colts tried him at corner.
He didn’t stick, was briefly on the practice squad, and was eventually poached by the Jets. He’s now with the Packers’ practice unit.
There’s talent there - no doubt - but the Colts never found a way to tap into it. Another pick with no return.
Round 5, Pick 151: Jaylon Carlies, S/LB - Grade: C+
Carlies went the opposite direction from Simpson, converting from safety to linebacker. And for a while, it looked like the move might pay off.
He showed real promise as a coverage linebacker, and after E.J. Speed’s departure, Carlies was penciled in as the next man up.
But injuries derailed his second season, and the midseason addition of Germaine Pratt has pushed him down the depth chart. Still, Carlies has the tools to carve out a role as a situational defender and special teams contributor. There’s value here - just not the kind you build a defense around.
Round 5, Pick 142: Anthony Gould, WR/KR - Grade: C
Gould was drafted to bring some juice to the return game and potentially develop into a gadget weapon on offense. So far, he’s been a steady - if unspectacular - return man. As a receiver, he’s been a non-factor.
He’s done the job he was drafted for, but hasn’t shown anything beyond that. Serviceable, but not a difference-maker.
Round 4, Pick 117: Tanor Bortolini, C - Grade: A+
Now we’re talking.
Bortolini has been one of the best stories of this class. Taken as the third true center off the board, he’s already established himself as a rock in the middle of the offensive line. In just his second year, he looks like a long-term anchor - the kind of player you build around.
Tough, smart, and technically sound, Bortolini is a rare fourth-round gem who’s playing like a top-50 pick. This is the kind of hit that makes up for a few misses elsewhere.
Round 3, Pick 79: Matt Goncalves, OL - Grade: B
For the first six weeks of the season, Goncalves looked like another Ballard special - a versatile lineman who could maul in the run game and protect the quarterback. He was opening holes for Jonathan Taylor and keeping Daniel Jones clean.
But his play has dipped lately, raising questions about whether he’s hitting a rookie wall or just facing stiffer competition. Either way, the early returns are promising, and there’s plenty of upside to work with. Not quite a home run, but a solid double.
Round 2, Pick 52: Adonai Mitchell, WR - Grade: D-
This one stings.
Mitchell had the talent. The flashes were there.
But a couple of brutal miscues against the Rams - including a pair of costly drops - seemed to shake the team’s confidence in him. He was shipped out as part of the deal that brought Sauce Gardner to Indy, and while that trade may pay dividends, Mitchell felt like an afterthought in the transaction.
Considering the Colts also gave up two first-rounders, it’s hard to look at this pick as anything but a loss. He’s one of several second-round receivers from that class who didn’t stick with their original team - but that’s cold comfort.
Round 1, Pick 15: Laiatu Latu, DE - Grade: A
Latu has been everything the Colts hoped for and more. He’s emerged as their top edge rusher, combining length, athleticism, and a relentless motor to become a real problem for opposing offenses.
Yes, Jared Verse was still on the board. And yes, he’s having a monster year.
But that’s draft hindsight - the kind of game you can play forever. What matters is that Latu is producing, and he’s doing it in a big way.
This is a foundational piece for the defense.
Final Verdict: A Draft of Extremes
When you step back and look at the full class, it’s hard to ignore the extremes. Ballard nailed the trenches - Bortolini and Latu look like long-term starters, and Goncalves has real potential.
But beyond that? The results are shaky.
Four of the nine picks are no longer with the team. Two more are on the fringe.
That’s a lot of draft capital with very little return. And while Ballard’s eye for linemen remains sharp, the lack of production from the skill positions - especially Mitchell - is a concern.
This class won’t make or break Ballard’s legacy on its own. But in a season that started with so much promise and has since veered into chaos, it adds another layer of uncertainty to his future in Indianapolis. The foundation is still there - but the cracks are starting to show.