A Colts rookie who was drafted on day three of the NFL Draft just might be a Week 1 starter

The Indianapolis Colts drafted Auburn defensive back Jaylin Simpson with the 164th pick in the fifth round of the 2024 NFL Draft.

He might not have heard his name called until day three of the NFL Draft, but the Colts might just call his name to be a Week 1 starter in 2024.

Simpson spent time at safety and corner in college but ended his time at Auburn as the team's starting FS. After drafting him, the Colts shared that they liked what he could offer as both a safety and a corner but would try him at corner to start.

I wasn't a big fan of this choice because when I watched Simpson's film, his ability as a deep safety was my favorite skill he possessed. This is something that should interest the Colts, with them shockingly not making a move to find a new starter at, in my opinion, their weakest position group on the roster: free safety.

CBS Sports NFL Draft analyst Emory Hunt even had Simpson ranked as the top FS in the entire 2024 NFL Draft class. If the Colts choose to enter Training Camp without signing one of the top veteran safeties still available on the free agency market , I expect Simpson to get a real look at the team's starting FS job. Currently, Nick Cross and Rodney Thomas II would be the favorites to win the job, but both have been way too up and down over the past two years. GM Chris Ballard made it clear following the 2023 season that the Colts had to get more consistent play at the FS position.

I think Simpson's ability and experience playing in single-high situations will be valuable to him once Training Camp begins. Personally, I think he's the clear best option to start Week 1 even before Training Camp begins. And while he may begin camp working as a nickel CB, I hope they realize how big of an asset he could be at FS earlier rather than later. Because I think the Colts landed a day-one starting talent in the fifth round of the 2024 NFL Draft.

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