Justin Walley Added to Cornerback Corps of Indianapolis Colts

In the NFL, depth in the secondary is often the difference between a good defense and a great one—and for the Indianapolis Colts, the addition of Justin Walley to their cornerback corps marks a strategic move to shore up a unit that faced injuries and inconsistency last season. Walley, a 24-year-old undrafted free agent who spent the 2023 season on the Kansas City Chiefs’ practice squad, brings a mix of speed, physicality, and raw potential to a Colts cornerback group that includes veterans Kenny Moore II and Stephon Gilmore, along with young players like JuJu Brents. Justin Walley Added to Cornerback Corps of Indianapolis Colts is more than a routine roster update; it’s a sign of the Colts’ commitment to building depth at a position where injuries can derail a season, and a chance for Walley to prove he belongs in the NFL after years of working his way up from small-college football. With OTAs and training camp set to begin, Walley’s arrival adds competition to the cornerback room, pushing both veterans and fellow young players to elevate their game—and giving the Colts a valuable insurance policy if key players go down.

Justin Walley Added to Cornerback Corps of Indianapolis Colts shines a light on the unique skill set that made the Colts pursue him, even after he went undrafted in 2023. At 6’1” and 195 pounds, Walley has the size NFL teams look for in outside cornerbacks, allowing him to match up physically with larger wide receivers—a crucial trait in a league where big targets like DK Metcalf and Mike Evans dominate the red zone. What sets Walley apart, though, is his speed: he ran a 4.38 40-yard dash at his pro day, a time that would have ranked among the top five cornerbacks at the 2023 NFL Combine. This speed lets him recover quickly if he gets beat off the line, and it makes him a threat in run support, as he can chase down ball carriers from the backside. During his time at Division II Valdosta State, Walley showcased his playmaking ability, recording 12 interceptions and 35 pass breakups in four seasons, along with 15 tackles for loss—numbers that highlight his ability to impact the game beyond just covering receivers. The Colts’ scouting department has noted his willingness to learn, too; while he lacks NFL experience, Walley spent last season studying the Chiefs’ defensive schemes and working with veteran cornerbacks, giving him a foundational understanding of how to play the position at the professional level.

Justin Walley Added to Cornerback Corps of Indianapolis Colts also underscores the Colts’ need to add depth to their cornerback group, which faced significant challenges in 2023. Gilmore, a future Hall of Famer, missed three games with a knee injury, and Brents—their 2023 second-round pick—struggled with consistency as a rookie, allowing a 65% completion rate when targeted. Moore, the team’s slot cornerback, played every game but was often forced to shift to outside cornerback when injuries hit, leaving the slot vulnerable to opposing slot receivers. This depth issue was exposed in a Week 10 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, where the Colts allowed 320 passing yards and three touchdowns, with Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase exploiting mismatches against backup cornerbacks. By adding Walley, the Colts are creating a buffer against future injuries: he can compete for a spot as the fourth or fifth cornerback, stepping in if Gilmore or Brents goes down, and he can also contribute on special teams—an area where the Colts need more playmakers. Walley’s presence also lets the Colts ease Brents into a larger role, without forcing him to carry the load before he’s ready, which should help the young cornerback develop more confidently in his second season.

Justin Walley Added to Cornerback Corps of Indianapolis Colts has a direct impact on the Indianapolis Colts’ defensive strategy, as defensive coordinator Gus Bradley looks to build a more versatile secondary. Bradley’s defense relies on cornerbacks who can play both man-to-man and zone coverage, and Walley’s skill set fits this mold. His speed makes him effective in man coverage, where he can stay with fast receivers down the field, while his football IQ—honed during his time on the Chiefs’ practice squad—lets him quickly read zone assignments and react to routes. The Colts plan to use Walley primarily as an outside cornerback during training camp, but they’ll also work him in the slot to test his versatility, a move that would give Bradley more options on gameday. For example, if the Colts face a team with a dynamic slot receiver like Tyreek Hill, they could shift Moore to the slot and use Walley on the outside, or vice versa, depending on matchups. The Indianapolis Colts’ coaching staff also sees potential in Walley as a blitzer; his speed and tackling ability make him a viable option to rush the quarterback from the slot, a tactic Bradley used sparingly last season but could expand in 2024. By adding Walley, the Colts are not just filling a roster spot—they’re giving their defense more flexibility to adapt to different opponents.

Justin Walley Added to Cornerback Corps of Indianapolis Colts also provides a valuable opportunity for Walley to learn from the Colts’ veteran cornerbacks, who have already taken him under their wing. Gilmore, who has 12 seasons of NFL experience and a Super Bowl ring, has been working with Walley on technique, showing him how to use his hands to disrupt receivers at the line of scrimmage and how to read quarterbacks’ eyes to anticipate routes. Moore, a six-year veteran who has spent his entire career with the Colts, has been teaching Walley the nuances of Bradley’s defense, helping him memorize play calls and understand how his role fits with the rest of the secondary. This mentorship is crucial for Walley, who didn’t face NFL-caliber competition in college; learning from players who have succeeded at the highest level will help him adjust to the speed and complexity of the NFL game. The Indianapolis Colts have a history of developing undrafted free agents into key contributors—most notably Moore, who went undrafted in 2019 but has since become a Pro Bowl-caliber slot cornerback—and they hope Walley can follow a similar path. By pairing him with veteran leaders, the Colts are giving Walley the best chance to succeed, while also strengthening the bond within the cornerback group.

Justin Walley Added to Cornerback Corps of Indianapolis Colts concludes with the long-term implications of this signing, both for Walley and the Colts’ franchise. For Walley, this is a chance to finally earn a spot on an NFL active roster, after spending a year on a practice squad and working his way up from Division II football. If he performs well in training camp and preseason, he could secure a role as a backup cornerback and special teams contributor, with the potential to develop into a starter down the line. For the Colts, signing Walley is a low-risk, high-reward move: if he doesn’t pan out, they lose little, but if he becomes a reliable contributor, they’ll have added a valuable piece to their secondary at a minimal cost. This signing also fits with the Colts’ broader strategy of building through the draft and supplementing with undrafted free agents and low-cost veterans—a approach that has helped them stay competitive in the AFC South. Justin Walley Added to Cornerback Corps of Indianapolis Colts is a story of opportunity and potential—a reminder that in the NFL, talent can come from unexpected places, and that hard work can turn an undrafted player into a key part of a winning team. As training camp begins, all eyes will be on Walley, to see if he can seize his chance and become the latest success story in the Colts’ history of developing young defensive talent.