INDIANAPOLIS – Are the Colts ready to start a new undrafted free agent streak?
Many believe that will happen in 2022, with the Colts having a large undrafted free agent class with 22 names hoping to making the 53-man roster.
Who are the Colts undrafted free agents in 2022?
QB-Jack Coan (Notre Dame): As expected, the Colts added a 4th quarterback to their roster in signing Coan. Known for his accuracy and poise, Coan should help the Colts evaluate the back half of their roster. Coan started his collegiate career at Wisconsin before transferring to Notre Dame for one season.
RB: Max Borghi (Washington State): Borghi averaged 5.8 yards per carry, did catch 156 balls and scored 41 touchdowns in 39 career games (28 starts). At 5-9 and 210 pounds, Borghi has some injury history and wasn’t a special teams guy in college.
RB: D’Vonte Price (Florida International): At 6-3 and 210 pounds, Price is one of the bigger running backs coming out in 2022, but there’s worry about his pad level being consistent enough. He averaged 6.0 yards per carry on 369 attempts at Florida International. Price ran a 4.38 40-yard dash, so size and speed is there.
RB: C.J. Verdell (Oregon): Running back was a popular UDFA move for Indy, with Jonathan Taylor and Nyheim Hines the only RB locks on the roster (Jordan Wilkins is no longer in Indy). Verdell was a 1,000-yard rusher in his first two seasons at Oregon (2018, 2019) before injuries limited him to 10 games in his final two years. There’s a good chance 1 of these 3 running backs makes the 53-man roster.
WR-Kekoa Crawford (California): Of the 22 UDFAs, 7 were RBs or WRs. Crawford, a former player at Michigan, leads off the wideout group standing 6-4 and 192 pounds. In 45 career games, Crawford recorded 96 catches for 1,307 yards and 6 TDs.
WR-Ethan Fernea (UCLA): Fernea played a couple of different skill positions at UCLA, with minimal production. He was a former walk-on who eventually earned a scholarship.
WR-Samson Nacua (BYU): Another taller wideout, Nacua stands 6-4 and ran 4.48 at BYU’s pro day. Nacua played 4 years at Utah before transferring to BYU. Nacua had 21 catches for 329 yards and 3 touchdowns in his lone season playing for the Cougars. Ironically, Nacua’s older brother (Kai) had a brief stint with the Colts in 2019.
WR-Michael Young (Cincinnati): Young was also apart of the private workout the Colts had in Cincinnati, which confirmed their belief in Alec Pierce. Originally a wide receiver at Notre Dame, Young transferred to Cincinnati and was a nice slot receiver for one of college football’s best teams. Young had 57 catches for 685 yards and 5 touchdowns in his two seasons in Cincy.
OT-Ryan Van Demark (Connecticut): Many believe Ven Demark (6-6, 307) has a good chance to make the 53-man roster, with the tackle depth in Indy up in the air. Van Demark started 34 games at left tackle the last three seasons and was one of the more coveted undrafted free agents.
OG-Alex Mollette (Marshall): Mollette brings starting experience at multiple spots in the interior, and he’s coming off an All-Conference USA selection at guard this past season. There might be a roster spot open in the interior depth of the offensive line.
OG-Josh Seltzner (Wisconsin): A former walk-on, Seltzner ascended to a starting role in the interior. Seltzner (6-4, 310) comes from one of the best offensive line schools in the nation.
C-Wesley French (Western Michigan): French walks into a nice opportunity, especially if Danny Pinter locks up that starting right guard job. French played both offensive and defensive lines over his 6 years at Western Michigan.
DE-Cullen Wick (Tulsa): It was a bit surprising to see the Colts go through the draft not taking an edge player, and then adding just one in the undrafted class. Wick (6-4, 260) had 7.0 sacks in 4 seasons at Tulsa.
DL-Scott Patchan (Colorado State): At 6-6 and 270, Patchan produced at a high level last year. Patchan put up 19.5 tackles for loss and 10.5 sacks in 2021. Patchan began his college career at the University of Miami, playing tight end.
DL-McKinley Williams (Syracuse): Williams (6-4, 285) played 6 years at Syracuse, finishing his career with 19.0 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks in 60 career games. The Colts do have some open opportunities in the defensive line depth.
LB-JoJo Domann (Nebraska): It was surprising to many in that Domann went undrafted. A former safety, the 6-1, 228-pound Domann brings speed and special teams history with him. Domann will turn 25 years old this summer.
LB-Forrest Rhyne (Villanova): Rhyne was one of the best defensive players at the FCS level, playing as Villanova’s MIKE linebacker. As always, a special teams impact will be the quickest wait for a linebacker to make the team.
LB-James Skalski (Clemson): Known for his tenacious play and physicality, Skalski was a mainstay in the middle of Clemson’s defense. Skalski was a two-time captain in his 6 years at Clemson.
LB-Sterling Weatherford (Miami Ohio): Weatherford, a native of Cicero, Indiana, participated in the Colts Local Pro Day back in April. Weatherford (6-4 and 224 pounds) comes from a very athletic family and the Colts liked what they saw from him at that Local Pro Day.
DB-Marcel Dabo (Germany): Dabo put up some impressive testing numbers in catching the eye across the pond. Dabo appears to have some position flex at corner and safety with the Colts hoping to develop the raw, young prospect.
CB-Dallis Flowers (Pittsburg State): Another older prospect (Flowers turns 25 next month), Flowers played just one season of college football. He is a longer corner at 6-1 and 196 pounds and also returned 2 kicks for touchdowns last year.. Easily the biggest head-scratching decision of the draft was not taking a cornerback until Round 7, and then following that up with only one undrafted signing.
S-Trevor Denbow (SMU): A 42-game starter over his four years at SMU, Denbow brings a lot of playing experience to the Colts. Some think the 225-pound Denbow projects better as a linebacker at the next level.
