NFL Mix: 5 Colts prospects who want a giant week

Indianapolis, IN — This week’s festivities will present quite a few alternatives for NFL Draft prospects to enhance their respective draft inventory(s) as we enter the homestretch portion of the draft cycle.

Whereas some members are anticipated to mild up the occasion and enhance and/or solidify their draft inventory, there’s additionally a strong chunk of gamers who, fairly frankly, want a robust week to show themselves.

The Indianapolis Colts have their fair proportion of wants going into free company (S, TE, CB), and the next gamers match each payments of being able of want and needing a robust displaying on the mix.

Xavier Watts, Security, Notre Dame

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Xavier Watts has turn into a well-liked title amongst Colts’ draft match because of the crew’s want at free security. An absolute ballhawk, Watts logged essentially the most interceptions (13) of any FBS participant over the previous two seasons.

Underneath new defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo, the Colts are particularly determined for a rangy free security who can function on the backend’s centerfielder and Watts completely suits that invoice. How he’ll take a look at athletically stays his greatest concern as a prospect.

The tape means that it received’t be a difficulty, though in terms of entrance places of work comparable to normal supervisor Chris Ballard’s workers in Indianapolis, assembly sure athletic thresholds is important. Standing at a modest 5’11” and weighing round 200 lbs, it’s crucial that Watts checks effectively to stay a reputable Day 2 (rounds 2-3) for the Colts.

Demetrius Knight, Linebacker, South Carolina

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Knight is a linebacker from a previous technology, standing at 6’1” and weighing a cushty 245 lbs. Because the modern-day NFL has resorted to smaller, extra athletic off-ball linebackers, Knight presents a kind of construct and playstyle that mirrors that of previous eras.

A relentless motor in each form of the phrase, Knight presents a safer prospect profile that means, at worst, he’ll be a depth piece who contributes on particular groups. Although his testing numbers are projected to be within the common vary, a robust week from Knight may elevate him from an early Day 3 (rounds 4-7) prospect right into a late Day 2 man.

Kevin Winston Jr., Security, Penn State

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Winston Jr. (6’2”, 210 lbs) has flown underneath the radar all through the early levels of the pre-draft course of, primarily because of the concern that he received’t be the identical participant following a partial ACL tear in his second recreation of the season.

The Nittany Lion product had a terrific 2023 season that featured only one interception and two passes defended, however included a 0.0 missed deal with price whereas committing zero penalties.

The medical checks will probably be an important testing of Winston Jr.’s week, however with a robust week of on-the-field testing, therein lies an opportunity that he solidifies himself as a Day 2 prospect.

Jeffrey Bassa, Linebacker, Oregon

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A transformed security to linebacker product, Jeffrey Bassa (6’2”, 235 lbs) presents an attention-grabbing prospect profile. He lands on the below-average aspect of assorted measurables, notably arm size, however showcases plus athleticism on tape that means he’ll fare effectively within the on-the-field testing.

At the moment projected as a late-Day 2, early Day-3 prospect, Bassa has the chance to determine himself as one of many prime linebacker prospects going into rounds 2-3 of the NFL Draft.

Zy Alexander, Cornerback, LSU

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A much bigger outdoors cornerback at 6’2”, 195 lbs, Zy Alexander is among the extra fascinating prospects of this NFL Draft Class. A former FCS All-American at Southeastern Louisiana, Alexander made the in-state leap to LSU to complete out his collegiate profession.

The largest concern for Alexander as a prospect is that of his harm historical past. After an harm derailed his senior season as a highschool prospect, accidents have adopted Alexander all through his two-year stint at LSU. After an up-and-down begin to his FBS profession, Alexander went down for the 2023 season with a torn ACL. After lacking two video games with a concussion this previous season, Alexander suffered an undisclosed foot harm throughout his time on the Shrine Bowl.

Regardless of the rocky begin to his LSU tenure, Alexander has confirmed all through his time at each Southeastern Louisiana and LSU that he can compete with the very best of the very best, particularly throughout his senior marketing campaign. His 14 profession interceptions, 20 passes defended, and 53 completion proportion towards in 4 straight seasons as a starter proves simply that. If Alexander can put collectively a promising week of testing, he may stamp himself as a center spherical cornerback prospect.