In this series, we’ll look at 3 draft prospects who would be great fits for the Colts in any round.
We’re back for another season of the “3 prospects to watch for” series. This season, every position will be evaluated as the Colts can justify using a high draft pick on pretty much any spot on the team. Here are the three candidates for this week’s series:
Will Howard — Quarterback — Ohio State
If you asked me who Will Howard reminds me of, I would probably say Colts quarterback Daniel Jones. He’s a big bodied player who moves very well and has a good overall arm. A comparison to Daniel Jones isn’t necessarily a big compliment, but Howard’s ceiling is that of a mid to low end QB1 and is worthy of a pick at the end of Day 2 or Day 3.
Howard has nice mechanics, throws a tight spiral and his ball placement is generally good. He can make all the throws on the field and played fantastically well in the college football playoffs, which is very encouraging because you want your quarterback to be at his best in the biggest games.
Where Howard struggles is that he plays a bit robotic, often forcing the initial read even when the receiver is covered and doesn’t scan the field well. Additionally, his offense is relatively quarterback friendly and won’t translate well to the NFL. It’s also worth noting that his offense is incredibly good, with two star running backs, multiple superstar 1st round talent receivers and a strong offensive line that gives him plenty of time to throw.
For the Colts, he could be a good backup to develop for the future and could potentailly be an ok starter if the system is right for him. That to me is worth a late 3rd round pick (if they trade down and acquire a pick) or any pick on Day 3.
Tyler Booker — Interior Offensive Lineman — Alabama
Booker is a big guard with a great combination of power and technique. The first thing that stands out when watching him is his pad level and how low he can get out of his stance and through blocks; he keeps his helmet lower than his opponent’s through the block. While he played most of his career on the left side, he does have experience at right guard and took 77 snaps at left tackle in 2024. He’s definitely a guard, but his versatility means he could play other spots in a pinch in the NFL.
To me, Booker is one of the safest prospects in the entire draft. You’re getting a big body with a lot of experience and great traits from an offense that has produced a lot of great offensive linemen over the years. He even has experience in two different offensive systems (Tommy Rees in 2023 and then Kalen DeBoer in 2024). If you take him, you’re getting a day 1 effective starter with Pro Bowl and even All Pro potential, especially in a zone-based scheme like the Colts have.
Booker will likely be available with the 14th pick and the Colts currently have an open spot at right guard, which could be perfect for someone like Booker to step in and play at.
Jihaad Campbell — Inside Linebacker — Alabama
Campbell is a true off-ball linebacker who is straight out of central casting. There are analysts who project he could play edge in a 3-4 system, but in my opinion he’s the perfect SAM for a 4-3 or 4-2-5 system, which will be what the Colts operate next season.
Campbell has all the traits of a star linebacker, he just needs some refinement and a good coach to develop him. He has the size, athleticism and quickness to be great in space and can be effective on blitzes. He’s also proven to be good in coverage and cover most of the field well. What he lacks are the instincts and his reaction time to developing plays is slow, but those can be trained in the right system and with the right coaches and players around him. Zaire Franklin struggles mightily in coverage, but he is good at playing the run and cleaning up plays, so Campbell would compliment him well early on. The Colts also have a strong defensive line that will make gap control easier for linebackers (hence the reason why Franklin always has a lot of tackles). Campbell won’t be a star from day 1, but could be the type of player to be an All-Pro by his 3rd or 4th year, if he develops properly.
Campbell will have to be taken with the Colts’ first round pick and considering off-ball linebacker is the second biggest need of the Colts, taking Campbell with the 14th overall pick is justifiable. He would fit in nicely next to Franklin and would compliment him well as Campbell is athletic and is good in coverage and Franklin
