The 2024 NFL Draft is Thursday-Saturday, and the Indianapolis Colts are scheduled to have seven picks, one in each round, as they try to build on a 9-8 season that left them just outside the AFC playoffs.

The Indianapolis Colts chose eight players in the 2022 NFL Draft, four on offense and four on defense. This group includes three starters, most notably the quarterback’s blind-side protector. Development among this group will be critical if the Colts hope to contend for the 2024 playoffs.

Insider: Who will the Colts take in the NFL Draft? Latest seven-round mock draft for Indianapolis

Colts 2022 draft grades

(With round, overall pick, player, position)

2, 53, Alec Pierce, WR

Grade: C

Between some early drop issues and dealing with multiple quarterbacks, it hasn’t been a smooth start. Pierce got fewer targets in 2023 than in his rookie year, but they were longer shots. He had 32 catches (16.1 yards per) with 2 touchdowns in ’23.

2, 73, Jelani Woods, TE

Grade: B-

The former quarterback showed flashes in his rookie season, catching 25 passes (12.5 yards per) for 3 TDs. Hamstring injuries cost him 2023.

3, 77, Bernhard Raimann, LT

Grade: B

Raimann came in with a tough assignment: After playing for Central Michigan, make the quick transition to the NFL. Raimann struggled protecting any of the Colts’ QBs in 2022 but took massive steps in his second season.

3, 96, Nick Cross, S

Grade: C-

Cross saw little playing time on defense in his first two seasons, cracking the starting lineup late in 2023, when he had 39 tackles, 1 interception and 2 passes defended.

Colts draft order: When they pick in NFL Draft 2024

5, 159, Eric Johnson, DT

Grade: C+

He has been a backup on the defensive line, getting in on 15 tackles in 2023.

6, 192, Drew Ogletree, TE

Grade: C-

Ogletree missed 2022 with an ACL injury and had 9 catches (16.3 yards per) for 2 TDs in 2023 before an arrest for alleged domestic battery landed him on the commissioner’s exempt list. The charges have been dropped, and he is back with the team.

6, 216, Curtis Brooks, DT

Grade: F

He never played for the Colts.

7, 239, Rodney Thomas II, S

Grade: B+

Thomas was one of the Colts’ pleasant surprises in 2022, snagging 4 interceptions and defending 6 passes while getting in on 52 tackles. He started 15 games in ’23 with 2 INTs, 4 passes defended and 34 tackles.

INDIANAPOLIS — Under team owner Jim Irsay and general manager Chris Ballard, the Colts have always preferred to rely on the draft to replenish and upgrade the roster, rather than importing veterans from the outside, a policy that puts a premium on need in the draft.

And the easiest way to see the needs Indianapolis has to fill is by looking at the depth chart as it stands today. The Colts have a lot of young, developing options on the roster, but there are opportunities to bolster depth, add more competition and potentially upgrade the ceiling at several positions in an effort to transform Indianapolis into a regular playoff presence in the AFC.

Colts depth chart

The Colts spent big money in free agency to bring back 11 of their 15 free agents, then only signed two players from the outside in free agency, leaving the roster relatively the same as it was at the end of the season.

Offense

Quarterbacks

Starter: Anthony Richardson

Backups: Joe Flacco, Sam Ehlinger

Running backs

Starter: Jonathan Taylor

Backups: Trey Sermon, Evan Hull, Tyler Goodson

Other depth: Zavier Scott

Wide receivers

Starters: Michael Pittman Jr., Alec Pierce, Josh Downs

Backups: Ashton Dulin, D.J. Montgomery, Juwann Winfree

Other depth: Ethan Fernea, Tyrie Cleveland, Terrell Bynum

Tight ends

Starters: Jelani Woods, Kylen Granson

Backups: Will Mallory, Mo Alie-Cox, Drew Ogletree

Other depth: Jordan Murray, Eric Tomlinson

Offensive line

Starters: Bernhard Raimann, Quenton Nelson, Ryan Kelly, Will Fries, Braden Smith

Backups: Blake Freeland, Wesley French, Danny Pinter, Josh Sills, Arlington Hambright

Other depth: Jack Anderson, Lewis Kidd, Jake Witt

Defense

Defensive line

Starters: Kwity Paye, DeForest Buckner, Grover Stewart, Samson Ebukam

Backups/Contributors: Dayo Odeyingbo, Tyquan Lewis, Raekwon Davis, Taven Bryan, Eric Johnson, Adetomiwa Adebawore

Other depth: Isaiah Land, Genard Avery, Titus Leo

Linebackers

Starters: Zaire Franklin, E.J. Speed

Backups/Contributors: Ronnie Harrison, Segun Olubi, Grant Stuard, Cameron McGrone

Other depth: Liam Anderson, Austin Ajiake,

Cornerbacks

Starters: Kenny Moore II, Jaylon Jones, JuJu Brents

Backups/Contributors: Dallis Flowers, Darrell Baker Jr., Chris Lammons, Ameer Speed

Safeties

Starters: Julian Blackmon, Nick Cross

Backups/Contributors: Rodney Thomas II, Daniel Scott, Trevor Denbow

Other depth: Kendell Brooks, Marcel Dabo, Michael Tutsie

Colts draft needs

When it’s all laid out, the needs the Colts have to fill jump off the page. There are places the Colts could upgrade if they identify a Pro Bowl-level player, but from a numbers standpoint, Indianapolis clearly has needs to fill at cornerback, wide receiver, safety and linebacker, and Indianapolis almost always uses its top pick to fill needs.

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Three well-known athletes sat down Wednesday morning to offer advice on mental health to 150 local high school students for a Colts “Kick the Stigma” event.

Olympic medalist Lilly King, U.S. swimmer Ashley Twichell and Colts Pro Bowl cornerback Kenny Moore II joined Colts Vice Chair and Owner Kalen Jackson at the Indiana Farm Bureau Center for the panel.

King, who is a two-time Olympian, said she once told friends winning her first gold medal was the worst thing to happen to her. She went on to tell students that although the statement was not true, she felt that way due to her mental health struggle at the time.

That struggle is something many athletes experience, even at the high school level, King said.

“We are all going through similar struggles,” King told News 8. “Find your person to talk to, whether that’s a friend, parent, teacher, coach, mental health therapist … just know that you aren’t alone.”

Moore echoed that same sentiment during the panel.

He joined the team in 2017, the day after he was cut from the New England Patriots. Since then, he said making sure his mental health is in check has been a priority.

Competition swimmer Ashley Twichell told students that everyday practices and a self-care routine are essential to remain healthy in all aspects of life.

Knowing some of their favorite athletes experience the same mental health struggles brought the student-athletes a sense of comfort.

“I think it’s so validating because we dream to be like they are and to see them go through the same things we go through … just shows that we aren’t alone,” student-athlete Hannah Monroe said.