The Colts made perhaps the biggest move of the offseason when they traded for Carson Wentz. Wentz’s inconsistent play makes the Colts total wildcards. In the draft, they should be doing everything they can to help bring the “good” Wentz back. Here are some players they should consider with their first-round pick.

Terrace Marshall Jr

Let’s take a look at the types of receiving weapons that have had success with Wentz. Zach Ertz, Alshon Jeffery, Dallas Goedert, and earlier in the 2020 season, Travis Fulgham. Receivers like Nelson Agholor and Jalen Reagor were disappointing in Philly. Wentz isn’t very accurate; his game isn’t built on precision. It’s better to get him big physical jump ball guys than investing in speedy, hard-to-hit route runners. Marshall is not a bad route runner by any stretch of the imagination, but he’s more in the big physical mold than the speedy route runner type.

Marshall Jr. and Pittman Jr. would be a perfect duo for the scattershot Wentz. In the NFL, the situation matters a lot. The question of “Will Wentz succeed in Indy?” is not predetermined. He’s not a madden player with a set overall rating. If the pieces around him are beneficial, he’ll look more like 2017 Wentz than 2020 Wentz. If not, it will be a waste of a great roster as Wentz struggles to produce. 

Samuel Cosmi

Longtime franchise cornerstone Anthony Costanzo retired this offseason after a ten-year career, leaving the colts with a void at left tackle that must be addressed early in the draft. It’s not a question of if they draft one, it’s when. If we really want to narrow it down, it’s a question of whether they draft one in the first round or the second. Cosmi is a PFF favorite, earning high grades from them every year. This year he peaked with an elite 90.8 grade, one of the best in the country.

Cosmi is not the most technically sound lineman, but he’s 6’7, fluid, and powerful. Also, the pass rushers in the AFC South are not very scary. Indianapolis would be a good place for him to grow and reach his full potential. A strong running game is vital for any team, but especially for a franchise with a QB as volatile as Wentz. There are QBs out there with sound decision-making who can handle large quantities of passes without screwing up. Wentz is not one of those QBs. The Colts should try to keep it on the ground as much as possible, and having solid linemen is absolutely essential for an effective running game. 

Kwity Paye

DeForest Buckner is one of the most devastating pass rushers in the game today, but outside of that, the Colts defensive line is uninspiring. Tyquan Lewis? Isaac Rochell? They need to upgrade. Kwity Paye fits perfectly in their scheme as a big 4-3 type EDGE. Paye is an elite athlete that always had elite lateral quickness and pursuit for days, but in 2020 he started to tap into his potential as a pass rusher, an area of relative weakness in 2019.

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Colts' Jim Irsay next to the thumbs-down meme guy

Benedetto Vitale ·

GM Chris Ballard in the middle, Brock Bowers, TJ Tampa, Jermaine Burton around him, and Indianapolis Colts in the background.

Enzo Flojo ·

It’s exciting to see such a stellar athlete show technical growth. If he continues to grow, he should be a pro bowl caliber player early in his career. He’s not a perfect player, he has flashes, but he’s inconsistent. Also, he gets pushed around in the running game a little more than I would like to see for a guy his size. It’s a toss-up if he’s available at 21, but if he is, he’s a worthy project for Indianapolis to take on.