INDIANAPOLIS — Here’s a capsule look at the Indianapolis Colts’ six selections Saturday in the final four rounds of the NFL Draft.
Drum roll, please.
ROUND 4/117 overall
*Selection: C Tanor Bortolini
*Size: 6-foot-4, 303 pounds.
*Relative Athletic Score (RAS): 9.77.
*Resume: Started 28 of 35 games for Badgers, and displayed his versatility by starting at center (13), left guard (eight), right guard (three), right tackle (three) and tight end (one). . . . Bortolini emerged as one of this draft’s top centers with 12 starts and All-Big Ten honorable mention recognition. . . . Three-time Academic All-Big Ten.
*According to Bortolini: “Right now, I get to be a versatile swing guy. Wherever they need me to be, I feel like anywhere on the interior I’m very capable of playing and playing at a high level. Whatever they see for the long-term plan for me, I’m more than excited to be a part of. And I think I can really be a guy that finds a lot of long-term success and can really solidify myself at one of those starting jobs, and I can do it at a high level.’’
Comment: This might have been one of the most logical picks by Chris Ballard. He’s a firm believer in keeping the offensive and defensive lines stocked with reliable talent. He’s also good at adding immediate help while keeping the long-term in mind. Pro Bowl center Ryan Kelly turns 31 on May 30 and is heading into the final year of his contract. It would be prudent to re-sign Kelly if he stacks up another effective season. If the Colts opt to move on, Bortolini would be a logical successor.
Also, starting right guard Will Fries becomes a free agent at the end of the season.
ROUND 5/142 (from Carolina)
*Selection: WR/KR/PR Anthony Gould, Oregon State.
*Size: 5-foot-8, 174 pounds.
*RAS: 8.87.
*Resume: Appeared in 43 games with 20 starts. Was a factor in the pass game with 84 receptions for 1,360 yards and six TDs, but excelled as a punt returner. Averaged 16.4 yards on 26 punt returns, and took two back for touchdowns. Led the nation in punt returns as a junior — 18.3-yard average on 14 returns with two TDs.
Gould set career-highs as a senior with 44 receptions, 718 yards and two TDs.
*According to Gould: “That’s definitely a part of my game, but I definitely think it’s more than just the return part. I think I can play wide receiver at a high level. I ran the full (route) tree at Oregon State where we’re having to take deep shots, but we’re also living in the middle of the field, running a lot of stuff from the slot.’’
And the return game?
“Every time I’m back there, I think I’m going to score. I’m excited to get to Indy and hopefully take that return game to another level.’’
*Comment: We consider this a reflection on the NFL’s new kickoff rules. Gould was an elite punt returner at Oregon State, but he described the NFL’s kickoff setup as “a glorified punt.’’ The Colts were incredibly unreliable last season with Isaiah McKinney returning punts (8.9 yards per return). And while Gould brings game-breaking skills to the return game, he also should figure into the pass-game mix, perhaps out of the slot. He averaged 16.3 yards on 44 receptions as a senior.
ROUND 5/151
*Selection: LB Jaylon Carlies, Missouri
*Size: 6-foot-3, 227 pounds.
*RAS: 8.26 as a free safety, 8.4 as a linebacker.
*Resume: A versatile defender at Missouri, Carlies started 40 of 48 games, and either was an outside linebacker or safety depending upon what was needed in that particular game plan. Finished with 221 tackles, including 159 solos, to go along with nine interceptions, three sacks and one forced fumble. In 12 starts as a senior, Carlies had 64 tackles and two sacks. He generated two interceptions in 2023, three in ’22 and four in ’21.
*According to Carlies: “I feel comfortable playing either (safety or linebacker), and I feel like that’s another reason why they took their chance on me as well. Just knowing that I’m somebody who will be able to be comfortable showing my versatility.”
He patterned his game after the Ravens’ Kyle Hamilton and the Chargers’ Derwin James.
*Comment: Think of Ronnie Harrison Jr., Carlies excelled in college whether he lined up at outside ‘backer or safety. That type of flexibility should prove valuable in Gus Bradley’s scheme. In coverage at Missouri, Carlies finished with nine interceptions and 17 passes defensed.
ROUND 5/164 (from Philadelphia)
*Selection: CB Jaylin Simpson, Auburn
*Size: 5-11, 179.
*RAS: 7.4.
*Resume: Started 23 of 47 games at cornerback and safety at Auburn, and was super productive with 116 tackles, seven interceptions and 21 passes defensed. In 11 starts in 2023, Simpson had four interceptions and returned one for a touchdown.
Simpson believed his experience and production warranted a higher draft entry.
*According to Simpson: “I think I should have definitely been picked a lot higher, but at the end of the day, everything happens for a reason. I’m just blessed and thankful, and when I get in the league, I’ll definitely show why I should have been a higher draft pick.
“I’m just ready to get to work and continue to show why I was one of the best in this draft.’’
*Comment: Simpson performed at a high level in an SEC that featured top-level offensive skill players (LSU’s Jayden Daniels and Malik Nabers come to mind). He said the Colts talked to him about playing free safety, but the team lists him at cornerback. If they’re correct in their assessment, he’ll compete with 2023 seventh-round pick Jaylon Jones for playing time.
ROUND 6/201
*Selection: CB Micah Abraham, Marshall
*Size: 5-foot-10, 185 pounds.
*RAS: 3.7.
*Resume: Abraham possesses one of the deepest bios in memory. He started 46 of 62 games at Marshall. He also was productive with 150 tackles, 12 interceptions and 55 passes defensed.
On a personal level, Abraham has “football bloodlines.’’ His father, Donnie, was a third-round draft pick of Tampa Bay in 1996 who enjoyed a 9-year NFL career, and a cousin is Tim Jennings, a 2006 second-round pick of the Colts who would play in the league 10 seasons.
*According to Abraham: “I’m someone who obviously they’ll say is undersized, but I’m someone who’ll play with a chip on their shoulder, someone who has to be good and excel in different areas because of that. One of the things I can bring is my speed, my game IQ and just my ball production.’’
*Comment: Considering his size, Abraham might be headed for backup nickel duty behind Kenny Moore II. The size aside, there’s no dismissing his knack for being around the football.
ROUND 7/234
*Selection: DT Jonah Laulu, Oklahoma
*Size: 6-foot-5, 292.
*RAS: 9.62.
*Resume: Extensive college career began with four years at Hawaii and transitioned to two seasons at Oklahoma. Appeared in 66 games overall with 24 starts. Exited college with 102 tackles, including 27.5 for a loss, and 10.5 sacks. In 2023 with Sooners, started three of 11 games and contributed 11 tackles.
*According to Laulu: “Man, it’s been a really long process. Right before I transferred to Oklahoma, that’s when I realized, ‘OK, I can really make football my career.’
“It still ain’t for real, I’m not going to lie. I’m still shaking. It’s something you always dream about: ‘I want to do this, that.’ Being one of the guys who actually gets to do it is just crazy. Very overwhelmed right now.’’
*Comment: This represents taking a flier on an experienced player at arguably the deepest position on the roster. We’re pulling for Laulu to make it. He made a great first impression on his Zoom call.
You can follow Mike Chappell on Twitter at @mchappell51.