INDIANAPOLIS -- The 2023 NFL draft was held in downtown Kansas City, Missouri. ESPN has pick-by-pick analysis of each of the Colts’ selections.

Analysis of every pick | Updated depth chart

Round 1, No. 4 overall: Anthony Richardson, QB, Florida

My take: This is a bold pick by the Colts, but it's a gamble they needed to take. The Colts needed to both solve their lingering quarterback issues while also making a selection that gives them the potential of closing the massive quarterback gap that exists in the AFC. The Colts were enamored by Richardson's rare size (6-4, 244), speed and strength. But, as head coach Shane Steichen pointed out Thursday, no one should overlook his powerful arm, either. Richardson gives the Colts their most physically dynamic quarterback since Andrew Luck, who retired in 2019.

Will he start as a rookie: The Colts were non-committal on this as of Thursday. But they absolutely refused to rule out the possibility of Richardson playing immediately. In fact, reading between the lines, Steichen left the door wide open. "When you play more, that's how you develop," he said. "So with him playing and his experience as a player and getting more reps, practice reps, game reps, I think that that's how you develop." That being said, the Colts don't have to force things. They signed free agent Gardner Minshew last month, a player familiar with Steichen's offense as they were together in Philadelphia last season. Minshew has starting experience and gives the Colts an initial option under center if they want to bring Richardson along slowly.

What we're hearing about Richardson: The Colts have been monitoring Richardson for quite some time. General manager Chris Ballard on Thursday recalled an afternoon from last August when chief personnel executive Morocco Brown, who had been dispatched to scout Richardson on campus, was enthralled with what he saw. "I'm getting these text messages from Morocco. He's at Florida's practice going, 'You should see the show that I'm watching on this practice field right now.' So we had some awareness of who he was and where, what his talent level was, a while ago." The Colts also conducted a recent private workout with Richardson and hosted him for a top-30 visit in Indianapolis.

Round 2, No. 44 overall: Julius Brents, CB, Kansas State

My take: Cornerback was, perhaps, the most obvious need for Indianapolis heading into Day 2. With Stephon Gilmore recently traded and with both Kenny Moore and Isaiah Rodgers entering the final season of their respective contracts, there is an immediate opening in the Colts' top three. At 6-3, Brents' length will be a key attribute and makes him another Colts pick who possesses the physical traits the team craves. Brents is also a scheme fit who has experience working with a zone system like the one the Colts utilize. One remaining question: Brents had recent wrist surgery and said he likely won't be cleared until right before training camp.

Ties to the team to know: Brents is an Indianapolis native, playing his prep ball at local powerhouse Warren Central High School. Brents said it was remarkable to have the "opportunity to play in my hometown, being a Colts fan of my whole life, growing up watching Peyton Manning, my favorite player growing up was Bob Sanders. So, now just to be able to put on that same jersey, man, it's nothing short of a blessing man. And it's crazy." Brents hails from the same high school as another prominent Colts draft pick: 1990 No. 1 overall pick Jeff George.

Round 3, No. 79 overall: Josh Downs, WR, North Carolina

My take: The Colts addressed an underrated need by selecting one of the most productive receivers in this draft. With questionable depth behind Michael Pittman Jr. and Alec Pierce, the Colts picked up a two-time first-team All-ACC selection who had a combined 195 catches and 2,364 yards the past two seasons for the Tar Heels. Though undersized at 5-9 and 171 pounds, he has dynamic potential in the slot and in the middle of the field. His small stature might not be ideal, but he provides the Colts with a much different body type than the big-bodied receivers that dominant their current roster.

When will he get regular playing time: There's a chance for Downs to have an immediate impact. The Colts acquired Isaiah McKenzie in free agency. But Downs offers more dynamic ability, even if he will likely have a learning curve as a rookie. If nothing else, Downs makes the position more competitive and that puts him in position to earn playing time. Downs said Colts receivers coach Reggie Wayne lauded his performance at the NFL scouting combine earlier this spring. "I was the best receiver in my group, and I had first-round guys in that group as well," Downs said.

Round 4, No. 106 overall: Blake Freeland, OT, BYU

My take: The Colts fully intended to address their offensive line depth in this draft, and they were able to find a versatile tackle option in Freeland. A four-year starter for the Cougars, Freeland played both right and left tackle during his career in Provo, Utah. Look for him to initially provide depth and, perhaps, competition -- especially at left tackle. That will allow him to push 2022 third-round pick Bernhard Raimann, who ended last season as the starter. The Colts might not be done with offensive line additions, as they are still interested in addressing their interior depth.

Round 4, No. 110 overall: Adetomiwa Adebawore, DT, Northwestern

My take: Adebawore is another player the Colts zeroed in on during his week at the Senior Bowl, where he had a strong performance as a defensive tackle. He has a lot in common with many of the Colts' recent defensive tackle picks in that his game is marked by the ability to play multiple positions and he has elite physical traits. Though he is only 6-1 1/2, Adebawore had an eye-popping 4.49 40-yard dash (at 282 pounds) and did 27 reps on the bench press at the scouting combine. Look for him to be a rotational player on the Colts' defensive line.

Round 5, No. 138 overall Darius Rush, CB, South Carolina

My take: The Colts went back to the cornerback position for the second straight day after selecting Julius Brents in the second round. The Colts have started the weekend with a severe lack of depth at the position, but have now addressed in a major way. Rush, 6-foot-2 and 198 pounds, is another typical Colts pick with impressive physical traits (4.36 seconds in the 40-yard dash and a wingspan of 79 5/8 inches). He started 43 games at South Carolina and was another Senior Bowl participant who caught the Indianapolis' scouts eye.

Round 5, No. 158 overall (from Minnesota): Daniel Scott, S, California

My take: The Colts appear to be set with their pair of starters at safety (Julian Blackmon and Rodney Thomas). They also picked safety Nick Cross in the third round last year. This pick appears to be about increasing depth at the position, while also providing a competitive and willing player to help out on special teams. Scott was a key special-teams contributor at Cal and, on Saturday, said he looks forward to helping in that regard in Indianapolis. "It's one-third of the game," he said. As a safety, Scott could appeal to the Colts as a player who can handle tight-end or slot matchups.

Round 5, No. 162 overall, Will Mallory, TE, Miami

My take: Like the Josh Downs selection in the third round, this is another nod to quarterback Anthony Richardson and the Colts' continued effort to add weapons to the offensive lineup. Mallory didn't always live up to expectations at Miami, but he is definite physical presence who had the fastest 40-yard dash of any tight end at the NFL combine. Whether he can provide the Colts with improved blocking from their tight ends -- which is currently lacking -- remains to be seen. Mallory's grandfather, Bill, was head coach at Indiana from 1984-1996.

Round 5, Nos. 176, Evan Hull, RB, Northwestern

My take: Hull ran for 2,417 yards at Northwestern and proved to be a versatile, well-rounded back who can excel in an offense that targets running backs in the passing game. Hull led all FBS running backs in receptions with 55 in 2022, averaging a career-high 9.9 yards per catch. The Colts' running back unit has room for competition after last season's trade of Nyheim Hines to the Buffalo Bills. Jonathan Taylor and Zack Moss are likely the first and second options, but Hull could compete with Deon Jackson for the third spot. His success, or lack thereof, on special teams could impact that outcome, as Jackson is a key special teams contributor.

Round 6, No. 211: Titus Leo, Edge, Wagner

My take: A former high school receiver and safety, Leo moved to edge rusher at Wagner and blossomed into a viable pass-rusher. He becomes just the second Wagner player to be drafted in the common draft era, following sixth-round pick Greg Senat in 2018. The Colts added undrafted free agent defensive tackle Chris Williams from Wagner in 2020. He has gone on to appear in 13 games in three seasons. The Colts are looking for edge depth and will deploy Leo to compete with their contingent of pass-rushers.

Round 7, No. 221: Jaylon Jones, CB, Texas A&M

My take: The Colts continue stocking up on defensive backs, with Jones becoming the fourth defensive back selected by the team in this draft. That's the most in a single draft for the franchise since 2001, according to ESPN Stats and Information. The Colts allowed a 68% completion rate by opposing quarterbacks in 2022, 31st in the NFL. Jones, like Brents and Rush, is a long prospect at 6-foot-2. Jones was once a five-star recruit from Texas who was ranked the No. 1 safety in the 2020 recruiting class.

Round 7, No. 236 overall (from Tampa Bay): Jake Witt, OT, Northern Michigan

My take: Witt will be a major project for the Colts considering he began his career as a receiver in 8-man football player in Michigan's upper peninsula. After beginning a college basketball career at Michigan Tech, Witt transferred to Northern Michigan and found his way back to football. Witt was a tight end as recently as 2021 and will have a lot of work to do to make the Colts' final roster, but the Colts are selecting him as a developmental prospect they hope can show progress in time.