Colts Working Out QBs Bryce Young, C.J. Stroud, Will Levis

APRIL 4: Indianapolis brass will go through an important week. In addition to the Stroud and Young meetings, the Colts plan to work out Levis on Thursday in Lexington, Albert Breer of SI.com tweets. The Colts are also working out Richardson.

These meetings will carry significant weight. Despite the league knowing the Colts need a quarterback, the AFC South club did not have a representative at Levis’ pro day. Area scout Mike Lacy was the Colts’ only rep at Ohio State’s pro day, and Breer adds chief personnel executive Morocco Brown served as the Indy presence at Alabama’s. These are rather light contingents compared to most teams’ groups, but the Colts will clearly place more stock in their one-on-one sessions. Mel Kiper Jr.’s most recent mock has the Colts selecting Levis; Todd McShay’s has them trading up to No. 3 for Richardson.

APRIL 3: The team perhaps mentioned most frequently with respect to quarterback speculation this offseason has been the Colts. Set to draft fourth overall, they will have the chance to add a long-term signal-caller, though their options are expected to be limited to a degree. In spite of that, the team is committed to doing their homework on the top prospects at the position.

Indianapolis is set to hold workouts today with Bryce Young and C.J. Stroud, reports Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated (Twitter link). Those two are widely regarded as the top passers in the 2023 class, leading to the expectation that they will be taken first and second overall (in one order or the other) by the Panthers and Texans.

Presuming that happens, the Colts will need to turn to either Anthony Richardson or Will Levis if they wish to select a quarterback; a number of options at other positions will be available as well, of course. Breer notes that Indianapolis elected to not send a large contingent of coaches, scouts and executives to last week’s quarterback Pro Days, preferring to hold private workouts with potential draftees instead.

Young is seen by many as the top QB available, after his highly productive tenure with Alabama. The 2021 Heisman winner took a step back in terms of production this past season, but still showcased his abilities as a passer and, occasionally, a rusher. His frame has led to notable concerns about his ability to translate his success to the pro game, though the strengths of the other elements of his game and his pre-draft process to date have alleviated some of them.

Stroud likewise delivered on high expectations at Ohio State while serving as their QB1. Putting up two campaigns with substantial production, he projects as the most traditional NFL passer given his combination of size and accuracy. Those factors have led many to believe he is the favorite to be taken first overall, with an apparent floor of the No. 2 spot owned by the Texans.

The Colts are taking an expansive view of all (potential) options under center, as they look to make this the final offseason for many years in which they search for a new quarterback atop the depth chart. They signed Gardner Minshew during free agency, and have been loosely connected to pursuing Lamar Jackson, though an addition of the latter remains unlikely at this point. The team has remained steadfast in their preference for a rookie to take on the starting role relatively soon, and for the long-term future. Young and Stroud most closely fit the bill in that regard, and Indianapolis will be well-informed should either slide down the board to them.