Colts follow draft plan by getting faster in the midst of defensive overhaul

TL;DR

The Indianapolis Colts focused on making their defense younger and faster during the NFL draft, selecting two linebackers and a safety. Their top pick, CJ Allen from Georgia, is expected to start immediately at middle linebacker.

Key points

Colts general manager Chris Ballard aimed to make the defense younger and faster
Two of the first four draft picks were linebackers
CJ Allen from Georgia is expected to start at middle linebacker
Colts added a hard-hitting safety and a speedy edge rusher
The draft was part of a major offseason overhaul

Indianapolis ColtsCJ AllenNFL Draft 2023

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard made it clear in January he was going to make the defense younger and faster.

He delivered on that promise repeatedly during the three-day NFL draft.

Indy beefed up its thinnest position by using two of its first four picks on linebackers then added a hard-hitting, playmaking safety and a speedy edge rusher as the next steps in what has become a a major offseason overhaul.

Now the Colts will see how it all fits, starting with top selection CJ Allen of Georgia who is expected to be an immediate starter at middle linebacker.

“One of the good things about the system he’s coming from (Georgia) is they put a lot on the (middle linebacker), a lot of adjustments,” Ballard said of the first team All-American after making his first selection at No. 53 overall Friday. “So we think he’s going to be able to handle (the transition) pretty well. We spent a lot of time — I know, (James) Bettcher, our linebackers coach, I know he grilled him pretty hard and came across raving about his IQ”

The 21-year-old Allen ran a 4.47-second 40-yard dash and called defensive plays each of the past two seasons at Georgia, making him an ideal match to replace 29-year-old Zaire Franklin, a former team captain who was traded to Green Bay in March after his fourth straight 100-tackle season.

Indy's second pick, A.J. Haulcy of LSU, also fit the mold. The 6-foot, 222-pound safety was clocked at 4.52 seconds in the 40 at the scouting combine and earned all-conference honors at three different colleges.

“A.J. is interesting,” Ballard said. "What I love the most is — especially in the transfer world — he goes to New Mexico, starts, goes to Houston, starts, goes to LSU, starts. Takes the ball away. He’s physical. No, he’s going to be a good addition. We think we got younger and faster on defense.”

Double draftee

Indy's most intriguing pick might be the selection of Bryce Boettcher from Oregon. The 6-foot-1, 230-pound middle linebacker was taken in the fourth round, No. 135 overall, and it wasn't the first time he was drafted.