Underrated positions the Colts should draft next week

The 2024 NFL Draft is a week away, so we will soon know who the Indianapolis Colts 2024 draft class will be. 

While there are some clear positions the team will likely be targeting early in the draft, such as WR and CB, there are other spots on their roster that they could look to target on days two and three of the draft that you might not be thinking about. 

Underrated Positions the Colts could target in the 2024 NFL Draft

Center:

The Colts have a solid starting center in Ryan Kelly, so a day-one starter might not be a huge need. But Kelly is entering the final year of his contract,  and has expressed his interest in landing another contract with the Colts, and that very well may happen. However, there are some things the Colts need to consider regarding his future with the team. Kelly will turn 31 years old in May, and with this likely being his final contract in the NFL, I'm sure he will want to maximize his payout. I could see the Colts looking to do a short-term extension, such as a two-year deal similar to what DeForest Buckner recently got. But grabbing a high upside center to sit behind Kelly would make sense. Preferably, one that could also play guard if necessary because starting RG Will Fries is also entering the final year of his contract. 


Possible Draft Options: 
Tanor Bortlini, Wisconsin
Hunter Nourzad, Penn State
Matt Lee, Miami 

Slot Corner: 

Another position that the Colts don't need to find a starter, but I still think is a need is slot corner. The Colts re-signed veteran Kenny Moore II to a new three-year deal this offseason, so he will man the team's starting slot corner spot again this year. And while I don't think the Colts need to look for his replacement quite yet like center above, the team has no reliable depth options behind Moore. And I think this draft class has multiple solid options that could fill in for Moore in the slot in case he has to miss time. Or It could allow the team to let Moore play on the outside more if any of their young starting outside CBs need to be benched for any reason. 

Possible Draft Options: 
DJ James, Auburn 
Khris Abrams-Draine, Missouri 
Jarvis Brownlee Jr., Louisville
Jarrian Jones, Florida State 
Josh Newton, TCU

Return Specialist: 

The final position that I think is an underrated need is a return specialist. The Colts used WR Josh Downs quite a bit in this role down the stretch, but I think his ability at WR is going to be too valuable going forward. They could look to use CB Dallis Flowers in that role, but with him coming off injury I think that could be a risk. He will also be an important corner for the defense, whether he is a starter or a key depth piece. And with the new kickoff rules in place, it's a bigger advantage than ever to have players who can be special in the return game. And luckily for the Colts, there are an abundance of options for them to consider on day two and day three of the draft. 

Possible Draft Options: 
Ainias Smith, WR, Texas A&M
Daequan Hardy, CB, Penn State
Will Shipley, RB, Clemson
Dylan Laube, RB, New Hampshire
Tyrone Tracy, RB, Purdue