Under GM Chris Ballard, the Indianapolis Colts have often drafted the elite of the elite when it comes to athletic testing within each respective position group.
So, who are some under-the-radar prospects to watch at next week’s NFL combine that could really impress?
Recently, Daniel Jeremiah of the NFL Network was asked that question and he began my mentioning Kentucky cornerback Maxwell Hairston.
Over the last two seasons, Hairston has allowed a completion rate of 63.7% at 12.8 yards per catch with six interceptions and eight pass breakups. He’s still relatively inexperienced with just over 1,000 career college snaps.
“I’m looking at some underrated players that I think are going to flash at the combine, I mentioned Hairston from Kentucky,” Jeremiah said. “He’s going to absolutely fly. He’s in my top 50. I think he’s got a chance to run himself up into the first round conversation. You’ll hear some buzz and some conversation about him.”
The defensive end position isn’t a massive need for the Colts with Kwity Paye, Laiatu Latu, and Tyquan Lewis all still under contract for the 2025 season, but it could turn into a sneaky depth need depending on what happens in free agency with Dayo Odeyingbo–who led the Colts in pressures in 2024–and if Samson Ebukam is released.
“There’s a couple of edge rushers and defensive linemen that I think you’re going to see test really, really well that I’m high on that are good football players,” Jeremiah said. Sai’vion Jones from LSU is going to work out really well. He’s 289 pounds. He was dominant in the Senior Bowl game. He’s going to be a day 2 pick. I think you could see him really put on a show there and run particularly well.
“You look at the edge rushers that are going to be impressive. I think Braden Swinson from LSU, his teammate, has a chance to workout run really well.”
Defensive tackle may not appear to be a pressing need either with DeForest Buckner and Grover Stewart, but the depth behind those two absolutely has to improve. Offenses too often took advantage of the Colts’ interior when those two weren’t on the field.
In addition to that, Taven Bryan is a free agent and I think Raekwon Davis is another potential cut candidate–both of whom ranked near the bottom of their position group in PFF’s pass rush win rate and run-stop rate metrics.
“Ahmed Hassanein from Boise State is a great story,” Jeremiah added. “He’s a kid that grew up in Egypt. He’s productive there at Boise State. He’s going to test, I think he’s going to surprise some people with how he works out and how he tests. Those are some of the guys that I think you’ll see create some buzz there.”
Offensive line is another position that may not come across as a big need either, but at a minimum, depth is needed at both the tackle and interior spots, and the degree to which this unit has to be addressed is all dependent upon whether or not Will Fries returns in free agency.
In fact, in Jeremiah’s most recent mock draft, he had the Colts selecting Missouri tackle Armand Membou, who could also play guard. Jeremiah expects Membou to test really well next week.
“He’s not necessarily under the radar, but I do think Membou from Missouri is going to work out extremely well at 330 pounds,” Jeremiah said. “We’ll be talking about him.”
The NFL combine is one of many data points used by the Colts as they build out their big boards. However, this data point can carry a lot of weight with a prospect’s performance next week able to move them up and down draft boards at a fairly rapid rate and in either direction.