What Colts could do at this premier position in 2023

After trading cornerback Stephon Gilmore to the Cowboys and flirting with the idea of dealing CB Kenny Moore, Colts GM Chris Ballard has overhauled the secondary.

In the 2023 NFL Draft, three of Ballard's 12 picks were cornerbacks. Each could be a Day 1 starter. 

After trading back twice from the top of the second round, Ballard was rightly thrilled after he selected Julius Brents with the 44th overall pick.

Brents, a former Kansas State star, is a prototypical Ballard pick, with freak athleticism and a condor-like wingspan. He should be able to start from Day 1 opposite three-year veteran Isaiah Rodgers on the boundary, with Moore staying inside at the nickel. 

Brents appears to have the movement ability necessary for a strong-side corner and could easily refine his technique on the fly. 

Ballard went back to the cornerback position later in the draft, taking Darius Rush in the fifth round. In his news conference after the draft, Ballard seemed thrilled to get him, noting he had been considered in the fourth round.

"Darius Rush we really liked. I mean, he's an athletic, long corner, kind of fits our profile, a converted wideout so he's got ball skills, can play the deep ball. He's kind of a guy that we had even talked about taking in the fourth."

Assuming that Moore will line up in the slot with Brents on the outside, if Rush is to start on the other side, he’ll have to beat out Rodgers, who’s more experienced. 

However, if Rush is able to pick up on the mental aspects of the game, he’s more physically gifted than Rodgers. That athleticism is something Ballard and his front office clearly value, as his 2023 draft class was the most athletic by far according to Next Gen Stats. 

In the seventh round, Indianapolis selected Jaylon Jones of Texas A&M, another potential starter.

While Brents and Rush will likely eventually start opposite one another, the team may feel that as rookies, that scenario would put too much inexperience on the field at one time. The Colts don’t seem to be quite ready to contend anyway, as they’re coming off a 4-12-1 season.

Thus the rationale is there to “let the kids play," giving them as many game reps as possible.

A large chunk of the secondary could depart after this year, as the contracts of Rodgers, Dallis Flowers, Moore and others are set to expire in 2024. 

The 2023 draftees should get some game experience before they're completely tossed into the deep end without those veterans alongside them. Either way, the future of the defensive secondary appears to be locked up thanks to Ballard and his 2023 draft.