Indianapolis Colts' Shane Steichen, Chris Ballard Dish On 2024 NFL Draft Class

Indianapolis Colts HC Shane Steichen and GM Chris Ballard spoke at the conclusion of the 2024 NFL Draft, giving their thoughts on the nine players, including Laiatu Latu, Adonai Mitchell, Tanor Bortolini, and more. (video via Jake Arthur)
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[@LockedOnColts]

What did you think of the Colts' 2024 draft haul?

[@johngloser9423]

The Colt's just signed former BYU QB Kedon Slovis as an UDFA.

[@thomasyoung7033]

Kedon Slovis is a must keep. Out of all the QBs who will be competing for the No. 3 quarterback position, I give him the best shot. Perseverance and willpower plus intellect will be Slovis’ traits that will propel him in his NFL career . . .

[@BlazingAce20]

It was a mid draft. I give it a C. That is me being nice because of two players. The rest are all just depth guys so who won't even be on the team next year. Ballard keeps his "guys" that is a lie. They keep guys who has barely enough talent and just under use them. Pittman Jr growth was so slow he still has the hardest time with separation. Its nice that he finds decent players but those players is all low. Most of the guys he got were guys who had been hurt before. A guy who has a broken neck in the first round that missed two years of his career. A guy who missed a season and some games. Another one who missed games as well and barely was the starter at his school. The rusher he got in the first round was more of a guy on reserve then the starter.

[@jameszeigler9353]

​@@BlazingAce20I give it a B plus

[@ammoncraig]

A+

[@jeffcena9577]

Shane looks happy

[@mattconn33]

Heck yeah he is! We kill this draft and got him a star receiver 💪🏽

[@straw2k]

i would be too

[@sterlingwooten2153]

His gm didn’t draft a 24y/o qb at 10 and sign another to 100+ million 😂

[@tonyrobertson2428]

Great draft NOW LET'S GET IT! COLTSNATION WE HERE! THIS OUR YEAR! LET'S GOOOO

[@bburchibanez2]

Feels like such a solid draft. We’ve got some great depth at important positions. He kinda hinted at some remaining FAs out there, so don’t be surprised if we bring in a vet CB soon. Honestly would love to get Gilly back if he wants.

[@vincentprice7857]

Gilly was getting cooked last year 😢

[@surgepro322able]

Shane commented that consistently was important. Ballard must have agreed! Resigning most of our free agents was proof. For a team that was 1 play away from winning the game in which we would have made the playoffs and won the division with a backup quarterback! Wow! Keeping that team together was great for future improvement and consistency. All of our new draft picks can only improve what we already have!

[@emmanuelcarter1976]

Colts nation

[@ndcoltsfan]

Very happy with what Ballard did albeit I would drafted differently. I’m not a GM for a reason though; excited about the upside of these guys and look forward to the roster competition and who makes the team. FA signing is also an extension of this draft - looking for Colts to bring in some veterans in the secondary

[@altg5708]

A future all pro DE and a WR 1. Two draft pics that played against big schools and tough competition. What would you have done different? Picked Q Mitchell who didn't play against anybody? Drastically overpaid and sacrificed the future to get Harrison or Nabors? Please enlighten us.

[@miniHAWKTTV]

@@altg5708 I would've drafted one of the many talented Corners that were left instead of the second Offensive Lineman, personally. The first 3 picks I think were great, I would not change those. But getting one of the many talented and productive corners from the SEC that were left would've been very nice. I still would've gotten another O-Lineman later, so it's not much different. But I like the picks we got, so I'm not upset. I think the 2 O-Lineman we got have great potential as backups and potential as future starters. I'm really interested in Simpson, the Safety they are going to try at Corner.

[@smoothkid765]

@@miniHAWKTTV Tanor Bortolini is your C of the future. He was a necessary pick. Ryan Kelly is 33 years old. Goncalves is going to be the first backup for this OL in his rookie year, but could potentially be a replacement for Will Fries (kind of likely) or even Braden Smith at the end of his contract, if he blossoms as projected. With the time Braden missed last year, again, a very necessary pick. OL depth is critical. Absolutely critical. And we have to get it from rookies/first contract guys bc we have so much money tied up into Q, Kelly, and Braden. I think we're moving toward more flexibility and less $$ being spent on the OL in the near future. You can't pay 60m for your OL and pay a quarterback QB1 money. Unfortunately that means un-sexy draft picks and more turnover at the positions.

[@miniHAWKTTV]

@@smoothkid765 Oh I agree, trust me, I just would've taken a Corner with our 4th pick just because of the Corners who were still there (lot of productive SEC guys), and then taken an Interior O-Lineman with the pick after that. But if J Simpson is able to convert to Corner like they think he can, then this draft class is great and I can't complain.

[@KINDAtheexpert7608]

ABSOLUTE “masterclass” of a draft by Ballard AGAIN! Kil/ed the draft. Can’t waitttt to get to the season and see what these guys can do and ADD to the STUDS we already have. AR5 might be an mvp candidate next season. I’ll say it!! Lfgggg!! Welcome to the shoe to ALL the new picks! #fortheshoe

[@Quinn37]

You have no idea if this is a good draft or not. Next winter you'll begin to know, but you still won't know for sure for 3-4 years.

[@jefffuller65]

I think Shane is fire up

[@tedmaudlin5074]

Absolutely, yeah I'd rather have a coach that says he's fired up. Last coach we had showed no emotion, he sat there looking stoned and kept talking about three phases.

[@jefffuller65]

@@tedmaudlin5074 agreed, reich was a broken record at times. It was always 1% better or climbing a mountain. Shane is the fucking man! I just thought it was funnny how many times he mentioned he was fired up 🤣

[@michaeldavis6607]

What matters the most is AR5. If he’s good this year, we will be good this year. Just like the Peyton years. We have plenty of talent

[@thomasgreen5168]

Let's go I'm pumped

[@tomhodges3811]

We'll see

[@altg5708]

@@tomhodges3811 Same thing every fan base is saying. Tell us what you would have done genius?

[@theomenjohndowns8039]

I really hope that we can finally do different schemes and Charlie the coach from Pitt can help our d line get to the QB better. Then we won't feel bad when it gives time for our DBS to develop and make plays Let's go!

[@surgepro322able]

Wish y'all had had Gus up there to with Shane and Ballard! I would have liked to hear how excited he was.

[@marcomcnew8028]

Shane looks comfortable

[@brandonbullock8641]

LETS GOOOOOOO!

[@georgearmbrustjr8165]

Buckner/Latu/Stewart/Paye/Dyo OMG good luck NFL

[@rickeyvanderson8061]

This receiving core is going to be one of the fastest we've ever had in Indianapolis Mitchell has four three speed gold has 4.3 speed Ashton doolan has 4.3 and so does Josh Downs he has four three speed as well

[@brianshultz3222]

and they have a qb who can get it downfield

[@smoothkid765]

and a coach that can teach them the nuances of route running

[@glennbass35]

I am happy with the draft, was it how i would have gone, no....I still think Quinyon Mitchell should have been the pick in the 1st round. And i would have taken DJ James in the middle rounds. We have filled most of the concerns on the roster going into the draft, so no major complaints.

[@mr.obvious1000]

I’m going out on a limb here…but I think they’re fired up about it

[@Quinn37]

I love those day three guys. Such a crapshoot.

[@TheMillieSmalls]

LFGOooooo!!!!!!!

[@Nunayobitness]

With Mitchell, Carlies, and Latu, I’m excited for this new season. Not an amazing draft, but We should make the playoffs with these new weapons…

[@jameszeigler9353]

I'd say this might have been a better draft than last year every player selected has a good possibility of being on this team...

[@chefturbo4117]

Best defensive player at 15 and a top 5 receiver late in the second is pretty nice. Both guys have pro bowl potential.

[@jeffcena9577]

I like our new oline guy too

[@LudiCrust.]

They have to sign or trade for a corner to have any chance. They have the worst secondary in the league & it’s not even close. Depending on 7th rounders & UFAs, one of whom is coming off a torn Achilles, is insanity & none of them are fast enough to run with elite WRs in this league. The caliber of WR they’ll be facing this season is significantly higher than last season too…

[@tyrone975]

I like Matt and Tanor. Both potentially will start next year if worst case scenarios start to happen like Kelly and Fries being gone.

[@thomasyoung7033]

Now let’s examine the UFAs . . .

[@jdigitalseven7]

If Richardson gets hurt and misses even 1 game this year, they need to start looking for a future QB. Only 3 QBs have won a playoff game for the Colts since they've been in Indy. Enough with not winning the division and not winning playoff games.

[@Bigazzy806]

Imagine flacco in our offence

[@michaeldavis6607]

Only a few teams win the Super Bowl year in and year out and it’s almost ALWAYS star QB. If AR5 is that star QB, we will win the Super Bowl. If he’s not, we’ll be like the Ravens and Bills, always in the playoffs but never win it Mahommes, Brady, Mannings….that’s who wins Super Bowls

[@RobbyBond-jv8er]

Exactly 💯 everyone happy I didn't think draft was that great we missed on a lot of elite playmakers an we lost this draft I do like Latu an Mitchell the 2 offensive line but after that just a bunch of role players so

[@carrite]

We had one high pick and got one elite player.

[@jshumphress13]

It’s not all about this season. Have to draft for the future or you get caught with your pants down.

[@brandonkimmell6146]

Franklin was a 7th rounder

[@smoothkid765]

So all the day 3 guys were role players? What GM is looking for starters on day 3?

[@coreygray6803]

Love the draft but 1 thing is for sure our fan base shows there intelligence this time of year and its ridiculous lol such a clown fan base

[@altg5708]

bingo Corey. BINGO!

[@BrockLee-sd9og]

Shane even says, Chris has been adding depth to lines for years here. It has gotten us zero division titles, 1 playoff win (with Grigsons team, and Luck) it is a different league now. Teams win with skill players. Look at Chiefs, 49ers, Ravens, Bills drafts since Ballard came here. They are not drafting back up oline d line guys, they draft skill players

[@johnathangarcia6130]

Crazy cuz we’ve beat those teams in the season. We just don’t have the competitive team to win throughout the year

[@smoothkid765]

Today's OL depth is tomorrow's starters. Likely looking to trim the fat and spend less $$ going forward on the OL. Can't pay 60m to your OL and 40 to your QB. Smart GMs plan ahead and that's just what ballard is doing. Latu isn't a backup, btw. Goncalves probably beats out Fries for teh RG job. j/s.

[@carlstrouse7867]

Kinda pissed that he traded back and he could’ve got cam hart or that linebacker from Washington

[@deonnelson9780]

I'm guessing he wants more vets which makes sense because we seen the rookies struggle sometimes last year.

[@hoosierproud7718]

I wanted Cam also

[@M98747]

I wanted either TJ Tampa or Cam Hart. We need to spend a higher draft pick on corner next year.

[@stephentrader9142]

Depends on how flowers, jones,brents, and moore do this year

[@johnhendrix28]

@@M98747he drafted two corners one from Marshall one from auburn it’s s all good

[@anthonyquarles6388]

Why no cbs

[@stephentrader9142]

They are happy with cb room

[@rickeyvanderson8061]

Because every time they were going to get one he was picked right before the pick came up and you know Chris Bella love those picks so he wasn't going to give up too many

[@Matt-en1kn]

​@stephentrader9142 the cb room is awful 28th last yr for a reason

[@brianshultz3222]

@@Matt-en1kn If McKenzie doesn't get suspended, and Flowers doesn't get hurt. Those rookies wouldn't have had to be thrown into the fire so early.

[@Matt-en1kn]

@@brianshultz3222 true

[@anthonyquarles6388]

Just one corner

[@boxesofcomics]

Because the last thing you put in a young corner back room is more inexperienced corners

[@modifidious7171]

Said no one ever​@@boxesofcomics

[@ettgnell92]

Jaylin Simpson was drafted as a CB.

[@stephenbecker5682]

Our weakness is at cornerback……had an opportunity to get Mitchell or Dejean. This is going to come back to haunt the Colts. I predict no playoffs and a 3rd place finish in the AFC South.

[@Matt-en1kn]

Willing to give this one yr we don't win the division Ballard and gus Bradley got to go

[@jameszeigler9353]

I must agree I personally wouldn't have kept Bradley after the defense was so bad last year...

[@coreygray6803]

Or what you gonna leave the colts community lol I mean please do need to get clowns like you out

[@smoothkid765]

and then what? ask a GM to come in and work with coach he didn't select himself? If ballard goes, EVERYBODY GOES. Including golden boy Shane Steichen. Mark my words. they're not firing ballard until his contract is up. Extension will be based on his performance with AR and Shane.

[@BlazingAce20]

We will see if this was a good draft or not. I am sick of Colts fans saying "Ballard is a master class drafter." like really? please just stop it. The guy gets some guys but go back to every draft and tell me since he has been drafting how many of he players on the Colts that he drafted turned into a superstar player. This is the same guy who couldn't get a QB for the team. The same guy who drafted multiple QBs that didn't work out. I am not saying fire him but he needs to stop having full control over picks. He didn't draft AR it was the owner who drafted AR. Our owner wanted two guys one was Stroud and the other was AR. Yet we never do trades for players anymore. The last one that worked out was Buckner. Reason we don't do trades is because of Ballard and his mess ups. All i want is for people to realize he isn't that great at picking players. He is just like his drafts always mid. He might find two good players but he never finds a superstar. A superstar player doesn't take almost until they are 30 years old. Most people don't know we only have a few more years left with Zaire. When we drafted him Zaire wasn't that good. It took until he was around 27 years old to be at his level now. He is almost 30 where more linebackers start losing there speed. Just as Leonard when he was playing with the Colts. Don't get it wrong. I love the Colts but it's always bad when your team is looked down on especially in the draft. I will say two guys will be on the team for a good while. Hopefully they turn out to be good. Overall the team is the same. Hopefully we see some growth with AR. I am not sold on Pierce and i think they should've traded him and let Mitchell just take center stage with Pittman Jr i am not sure how this season will go but i do hope Latu shows up like a #1 draft pick should or we will just have another bust like Kwity just sitting around developing still.

[@russelhughes1066]

Sounds like double D, or Kent, 😂 that is funny

[@michaelstraight3599]

It is premature to call this a master class but to say Ballard has drafted many QBs that haven't worked out is dead wrong. AR is the only QB he has drafted with the actual intent of being the starter. The rest were mid to late round projects or career backups. Also, dont pretend like you know who pulled the trigger on AR. From all the reports I heard it was Shane that was pounding the table for him but everyone was all in on that pick. Even if they weren't, it was him or Levis since they weren't getting up to the 1st or 2nd overall pick last year.

[@altg5708]

Please pick another team to root for. The Colts deserve better than you.

[@smoothkid765]

So much wrong with the book you just wrote. If you view Kwity as a bust, then you should probably just cheer or boo and leave it at that. You know nothing, friend. Cut kwity to day and he's starting for the Titans or Ravens tomorrow, mark that. He's a starter caliber end that needs a bit of help to turn that "get off" into sacks. But he's taught to defend the run FIRST. and that's what he does, well. I'll leave my critique at that, but man.... football analysis isn't for everyone.