Versatile Washington State S Jaden Hicks provides options for Colts’ secondary

The Colts have a need at the safety position heading into the upcoming 2024 NFL Draft, and Washington State’s Jaden Hicks would be an ideal fit for Gus Bradley’s unit.

What makes Hicks such a great fit is his versatility to play all over the defensive backfield. This, in turn, gives Bradley options and the ability to disguise coverages, which is not something the Colts did much of in 2024.

Over the last two seasons, 734 of Hicks’ snaps have come lined up in the box. He’s also played 529 as the free safety and 205 in the slot.

In coverage last season, Hicks held opponents to just 8.5 yards per catch and came away with two interceptions and four pass breakups. He was one of PFF’s highest-graded coverage safeties, for what it’s worth.

Hicks has been in on 159 tackles over the last two seasons and has shown to be a capable run defender.

Hicks measures in at 6-2 and weighs 211 pounds. He posted a Relative Athletic Score of 8.95, which included a 4.5-second 40 and a 37.5-inch vertical.

For more on Hicks, here is what Lance Zierlein of NFL.com had to say in his pre-draft report:

“He’s aggressive as a run-and-hit striker but doesn’t get as many squared-up, run-through tackles as expected. He plays in the box as an add-on run defender, but he might be a better cover man. Hicks is a straight-line mover and will have his issues when asked to flow with big bending route breaks — however, he plays with good instincts, has impressive ball skills and can line up over pass-catching tight ends. There are qualities to his game that could make him a feast-or-famine safety, but ultimately, he has the traits and upside to bet on in the middle rounds.”

The addition of Hicks provides the Colts with flexibility. With Julian Blackmon only returning on a one-year deal, Hicks could be a long-term answer at the strong safety role.

For the 2024 season, Hicks could compete with Nick Cross and Rodney Thomas for the starting deep safety spot, or if the Colts want to get creative, Hicks could take on that box safety role allowing Blackmon to play deep, where he spent most of his playing time prior to 2023.

Overall this is considered a so-so safety class, but Hicks has the versatility and skill-set to make an immediate impact with the Colts.

He is currently the third safety on PFF’s big board and the 61st-ranked prospect overall. If the Colts want him, they’ll likely have to use pick 46 on him if he is still on the board at that time.