After ending the Frank Reich/Chris Ballard era that was defined by sustained mediocrity before it all fell apart, the Indianapolis Colts entered the 2023 NFL Draft with a top-five pick and an opportunity to start over. While Ballard remains, new head coach Shane Steichen looks to bring some of the success he experienced in Philadelphia with him to Indy. Who did Ballard select for him to build it around?

Want to see how the Colts graded out during the 2023 NFL Draft? Then come check out our full Indianapolis Colts draft grades. You can also see the entire 2023 NFL Draft results.

Indianapolis Colts Draft Picks by Round in 2023

• • Round 1, Pick 4
    Anthony Richardson, QB, Florida
  • Round 2, Pick 44 (From ATL)
    Julius Brents, CB, Kansas State
  • Round 3, Pick 79 (From WAS)
    Josh Downs, WR, North Carolina
  • Round 4, Pick 106
    Blake Freeland, OT, BYU
  • Round 4, Pick 110 (From ATL via TEN)
    Adetomiwa Adebawore, DT, Northwestern
  • Round 5, Pick 138
    Darius Rush, CB, South Carolina
  • Round 5, Pick 158 (From MIN)
    Daniel Scott, S, California
  • Round 5, Pick 162 (From BUF)
    Will Mallory, TE, Miami (FL)
  • Round 5, Pick 176* (From DAL)
    Evan Hull, RB, Northwestern
  • Round 7, Pick 211* (From MIN)
    Titus Leo, LB, Wagner
  • Round 7, Pick 221
    Jaylon Jones, CB, Texas A&M
  • Round 7, Pick 236 (From TB)
    Jake Witt, OT, Northern Michigan

*Compensatory selection

Who Are the Colts’ Draft Picks in 2023?

The Colts made 12 selections in the 2023 NFL Draft. They had one selection in each of the first three rounds, then two selections in Round 4, and four in Round 5. Indianapolis sent their original sixth-round pick to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in a trade for linebacker Grant Stuard but got back a second seventh-round pick in the process. This left them with zero sixth-round picks, but with three to make in Round 7.

With 12 picks, the Colts are situated to begin their needed rebuild in earnest. Half of the picks were spent on offense, and half were spent on defense. The offensive line was a huge concern for Indy, which dates back to the reason Andrew Luck retired. Quenton Nelson took a step back last year from his usual dominance, and the rest of the line was a disaster.

Ballard has his work cut out this offseason to win back the hearts of the Colts faithful. He’s undoubtedly on a short leash after having survived while Reich was let go amid last year’s disaster. He started it off with a bang, selecting who he hopes will be the next face of the franchise.

Indianapolis used their first-round pick to select Florida QB Anthony Richardson, one of the 2023 NFL Draft’s top quarterbacks. On Day 2, Indianapolis traded back, sending pick No. 35 to Las Vegas for pick Nos. 38 and 141.

MORE: Indianapolis Colts Schedule 2023 — Dates, Times, TV Schedule, and More

On Day 3, the Colts had nine more selections, headlined by the four in Round 5. Indianapolis possesses their original fifth-round pick and received three more via trade. One was acquired in a deal that sent running back Nyheim Hines to Buffalo, while another was acquired this offseason — a Round 5 compensatory pick from Dallas in exchange for veteran CB Stephon Gilmore.

Even though the Colts didn’t address the offensive line until Round 4, their selection of Blake Freeland was a good one. He’s raw but has tools and traits for development.