Augmenting the passing game might be the top priority for the Indianapolis Colts in the first round of the 2024 NFL draft, according to Sports Illustrated‘s Albert Breer.

Breer projected the Colts to take Toledo cornerback Quinyon Mitchell in his final mock draft but wrote, “My sense is the Colts will try to trade up for one of the top three receivers or [Georgia tight end Brock Bowers] first, then perhaps settle on a defensive back.”

In a recent interview with Mike Chappell of Fox 59, Colts owner Jim Irsay singled out Marvin Harrison Jr. and said the team has “great” interest in the Ohio State wide receiver. Irsay did express doubt, however, over whether Indianapolis would have the appetite to move up enough to have a realistic shot at Harrison.

The Colts signed wideout Michael Pittman Jr. to a three-year extension, so the team doesn’t face an imminent threat of losing its leading receiver from the past three seasons. Indy also used a third-round pick in 2023 on Josh Downs, who put together a solid rookie campaign. He caught 68 passes for 771 yards and two touchdowns.

Still, it appears the coaching staff and front office aren’t content with the supporting cast around quarterback Anthony Richardson.

Bowers would certainly be an upgrade over the team’s current offerings at the position with Mo-Alie Cox and Kylen Granson tentatively penciled in as the top two. Harrison, Washington’s Rome Odunze and LSU’s Malik Nabers arguably have a higher ceiling than Pittman or Downs as well.

In addition, the current market provides a clear incentive for teams to load up with as many young receivers as they can get. It’s not too early to begin planning because who knows what Pittman might be able to get once his deal is due to expire in 2027.

Richardson showed a lot of promise before his year was cut short after only four games. He threw for 577 yards, three touchdowns and one interception and ran for 136 yards and four scores.

“We’ve just literally scratched the surface on what we know we can be in the Anthony Richardson era,” Irsay told ESPN’s Stephen Holder. “I think that the fans got a taste and now we can tell how excited they are. So, it’s going to be a great year, and I think we want to see what happens when you have a guy like him play in the full season. It’s going to be really exciting.”

Adding any of Harrison, Odunze, Nabers or Bowers to the aerial attack would undoubtedly help to boost Richardson’s development.