The Indianapolis Colts walked away from Day 2 of the 2023 NFL draft having addressed some big needs on both sides of the ball, including the selection of cornerback Julius Brents.
The Kansas State product and Indy native was the No. 44 overall pick in the draft by the Colts. The addition of Brents to the cornerback room should give the team and fanbase a sigh of relief considering how thin the position looked entering the draft.
Brents should be able to compete for a starting role right away on the perimeter as he brings exceptional size, length, explosiveness and short-area quickness.
A physical defender who loves to disrupt wide receivers both at the line of scrimmage and at the top of their routes, Brents is an ideal fit for a zone scheme like Gus Bradley’s. He can win with his athleticism, length and physicality. He loves getting his jersey dirty in the run game, which is a major plus in the Colts’ eyes.
Brents lacks high-end speed so there may be some limitations against speedy wideouts who are good against the press. He also could use some development in terms of making plays at the catch point. He has shown good ball skills so it’s not like he’s completely lacking. It’s just about becoming more consistent.
The only other note is that Brents is dealing with recovery from a wrist procedure this offseason, but both he and general manager Chris Ballard expressed optimism that the rookie will be ready to go for training camp.
Overall, this selection fills a huge need. Brents is a near-perfect fit for the defensive scheme, and the Colts were able to add two Day 3 picks before taking him at No. 44 overall. He can make an immediate impact, and he has upside to his game if he can get more consistent at the catch point.
Grade: B+
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