Skip to main content
Indianapolis Colts
Advertising

Mock Draft Monday

Presented by

Indianapolis Colts 2019 Mock Draft Monday: April 22

The Indianapolis Colts have the No. 26-overall pick in Thursday's 2019 NFL Draft. Here’s your latest compilation taking a look at which players the various experts believe will land in Indianapolis.

042219_metcalf-mdm

INDIANAPOLIS — The Indianapolis Colts have the No. 26-overall pick in Thursday's 2019 NFL Draft. Here's your latest weekly compilation taking a look at which players the various experts believe will land in Indianapolis (note: we'll bring you one final mock draft roundup this week before the start of the draft):

——————————

Expert: Charlie Campbell, WalterFootball.com

Date of mock draft: April 22 (Wa)

Selection: Dexter Lawrence, DT, Clemson

Previous selections: Christian Wilkins, DT, Clemson; Mack Wilson, LB, Alabama; D.K. Metcalf, WR, Ole Miss; Devin Bush, LB, Michigan; Dre'Mont Jones, DT, Ohio State; Christian Wilkins, DT, Clemson

Analysis: "The Colts continue to build up their defensive line with a big nose tackle to go with Denico Autry. Lawrence recorded 37 tackles with 7.5 for a loss, 1.5 sacks and three passes broken up in 2018. He totaled 34 tackles with 2.5 sacks in 2017. While Lawrence's numbers were down in 2017 over his freshman season, he helped create a lot of sacks for those around him. Team sources who did advance work on the 2019 prospects said Lawrence wasn't the same player as a sophomore, and they theorize he was playing with an injury that was not disclosed. As a junior, Lawrence was better than he was in 2017, but still not what he was as a freshman. He also hurt himself with a positive test that led to him being suspended for the playoff games against Notre Dame and Alabama. The 6-foot-4, 342-pounder was a tremendous freshman to help Clemson win the 2016 season's National Championship. NFL sources were raving about Lawrence in the 2017 preseason, as he was impossible to ignore in 2016. Lawrence was an All-Freshman selection all over the nation, plus was named the ACC Rookie of the Year. He totaled 63 tackles with 9.5 tackles for a loss, seven sacks and a pass batted for 2016. One national scout for an NFC team told me that they thought Lawrence was among the two most disruptive defensive linemen that season - along with Alabama's Jonathan Allen."

——————————

Expert: Walter Cherepinsky, WalterFootball.com

Date of mock draft: April 22 (link)

Selection: D.K. Metcalf, WR, Ole Miss

Previous selections: A.J. Brown, WR, Ole Miss; Byron Murphy, CB, Washington; Deandre Baker, CB, Georgia; Jaylon Ferguson, DE, Louisiana Tech; D.K. Metcalf, WR, Ole Miss

Analysis: "The Colts dropped 19 passes in the three games T.Y. Hilton missed in 2018. They need to make sure their offense can function if Hilton suffers an injury this upcoming season. They signed Devin Funchess to help the receiving corps, but Funchess has never accomplished anything in the NFL, and he won't preclude Indianapolis from adding a talented wideout. D.K. Mamula, I mean, D.K. Metcalf didn't look like a No. 1 receiver at Ole Miss, as he was unproductive while running poor routes. However, he posted elite numbers at the combine, displaying a ridiculous amount of upside."

——————————

Expert: Luke Easterling, DraftWire

Date of mock draft: April 22 (link)

Selection: Jerry Tillery, DT, Notre Dame

Previous selections: Christian Wilkins, DL, Clemson; N'Keal Harry, WR, Arizona State; Brian Burns, DE, Florida State; Jerry Tillery, DL, Notre Dame; Rashan Gary, DL, Michigan (traded up to No. 21 overall); Jerry Tillery, DL, Notre Dame; Montez Sweat, EDGE, Mississippi State; Kelvin Harmon, WR, North Carolina State; Jerry Tillery, DL, Notre Dame

Analysis: "This may be my favorite fit in the entire first round. Tillery is a top-20 player in this class, and his rare blend of size, power and versatility would be a perfect fit in Indy's defense."

——————————

Expert: Dan Kadar, SB Nation

Date of mock draft: April 22 (link)

Selection: A.J. Brown, WR, Ole Miss

Previous selections: Jerry Tillery, DT, Notre Dame; Dexter Lawrence, DT, Clemson; Marquise Brown, WR, Oklahoma; Byron Murphy, CB, Washington; Deandre Baker, CB, Georgia; Rock Ya-Sin, CB, Temple; D.K. Metcalf, WR, Ole Miss; Dre'Mont Jones, DT, Ohio State; Marquise Brown, WR, Oklahoma; Clelin Ferrell, DE, Clemson; Dre'Mont Jones, DT, Ohio State

Analysis: "The Colts would love to see a pass rusher drop. If that doesn't happen, they could get a wide receiver to pair with T.Y. Hilton to help Andrew Luck. Brown can play the slot or on the outside, and is physical after the catch."

——————————

Expert: Peter King, NBC Sports

Date of mock draft: April 22 (link)

Selection: Greedy Williams, CB, LSU

Analysis: "He's 6-2 and runs a 4.37 time in the 40-yard dash. What's not to like? Tackling, perhaps. But the Colts need two things badly: an edge-rusher and a shutdown cornerback. Williams is better at corner than the remaining edge guys are at sacking the quarterback. However, keep one thing in mind with Colts GM Chris Ballard: He's not going to change his board to fit his needs. If there's a significantly higher-rated player here, Ballard will take him."

——————————

Expert: R.J. White, CBS Sports

Date of mock draft: April 21 (link)

Selection: Christian Wilkins, DT, Clemson

Previous selections: Byron Murphy, CB, Washington; Greedy Williams, CB, LSU; D.K. Metcalf, WR, Ole Miss; Christian Wilkins, DT, Clemson; D.K. Metcalf, WR, Ole Miss; Johnathan Abram, S, Mississippi State

Analysis: "The Colts are one of the rare teams that doesn't make any trades in my mock, but that doesn't mean they're lacking for talent in this class. Wilkins is considered by many to be a top-15 player, but positional need and scheme fit could push him down to the Colts at No. 26, where he'd be a steal."

Note: White most recently conducted a seven-round Mock Draft. In the second round, he had the Colts selecting Johnathan Abram S, Mississippi State (No. 34 overall) and J.J. Arcega-Whiteside, WR, Stanford (No. 59 overall). In the third round, he had the Colts selecting David Long, CB, Michigan. Fourth round: Ben Banogu, DE, TCU, and Rodney Anderson, RB, Oklahoma. Fifth round: Jahlani Tavai, LB, Hawaii. Sixth round: Keelan Doss, WR, Cal Davis. Seventh round: Isaiah Wharton, CB, Rutgers.

——————————

Expert: Ryan Wilson, CBS Sports

Date of mock draft: April 21 (link)

Selection: Jerry Tillery, DT, Notre Dame

Previous selections: A.J. Brown, WR, Ole Miss; Jerry Tillery, DT, Notre Dame; A.J. Brown, WR, Ole Miss; Jerry Tillery, DT, Notre Dame; Byron Murphy, CB, Washington; Nasir Adderley, S, Delaware; N'Keal Harry, WR, Arizona State; Deandre Baker, CB, Georgia; Jeffery Simmons, DT, Mississippi State

Analysis: "We love this pick. Matt Eberflus transformed the Colts into a good defense in 2018. To go from good to great, Indy needs to add a few more pieces. Tillery was dominant at times last season, and if he can play with more consistency he could end up being one of the biggest surprises of this class."

Note: Wilson most recently conducted a seven-round Mock Draft. In the second round, he had the Colts selecting N'Keal Harry, WR, Arizona State (No. 34 overall) and Sean Bunting, CB, Central Michigan (No. 59 overall). In the third round, he had the Colts selecting Germaine Pratt, LB, N.C. State. Fourth round: Drew Sample, TE, Washington, and Will Harris, S, Boston College. Fifth round: Karan Higdon, RB, Michigan. Sixth round: Austin Bryant, DE, Clemson. Seventh round: Olisaemeka Udoh, OL, Elon.

——————————

Expert: Chad Reuter, NFL.com

Date of mock draft: April 19 (link)

Selection: Dexter Lawrence, DL, Clemson

Previous selections: Kelvin Harmon, WR, N.C. State

Analysis: "GM Chris Ballard wants to upgrade his team's defensive line. [Lawrence] is a great value at this point of the round."

Note: Reuter most recently conducted a seven-round Mock Draft. In the second round, he had the Colts selecting Deebo Samuel, WR, South Carolina (No. 34 overall) and Nasir Adderley, S, Delaware (No. 59 overall). In the third round, he had the Colts selecting Kahale Warring, TE, San Diego State. Fourth round: Austin Bryant, DE, Clemson, and Iman Marshall, CB, USC. Fifth round: Tre'Veon Conley, LB, Notre Dame. Sixth round: Alex Bars, G, Notre Dame. Seventh round: Olabisi Johnson, WR, Colorado State.

——————————

Expert: Mel Kiper Jr., ESPN

Date of mock draft: April 18 (link; ESPN Insider access required)

Selection: D.K. Metcalf, WR, Ole Miss

Previous selections: Marquise Brown, WR, Oklahoma; Terry McLaurin, WR, Ohio State; A.J. Brown, WR, Ole Miss; Dexter Lawrence, DT, Clemson

Analysis: "This could have been a safety, too. But then I started thinking about Metcalf catching bombs from Andrew Luck in Indy."

——————————

Expert: Nick Klopsis, Newsday

Date of mock draft: April 18 (link)

Selection: Dexter Lawrence, DT, Clemson

Previous selections: Jerry Tillery, DT, Notre Dame; Christian Wilkins, DT, Clemson; Kelvin Harmon, WR, N.C. State

Analysis: "After building outward from the offensive line last year, GM Chris Ballard could follow the same approach on defense and bring in a stalwart defensive tackle. Dexter Lawrence is a space-eater at 6-4 1/2, 342 pounds, making him an ideal run-stuffer in the heart of any defense."

——————————

Expert: John Clayton, The Washington Post

Date of mock draft: April 17 (link)

Selection: Dexter Lawrence, DT, Clemson

Previous selections: Jaylon Ferguson, DE, Louisiana Tech

Analysis: "GM Chris Ballard is building a special team in Indianapolis through several solid selections in the draft. Lawrence would fit that mold, as a big, strong inside presence for the defense."

——————————

Expert: Jenny Vrentas, MMQB

Date of mock draft: April 17 (link)

Selection: Jeffery Simmons, DT, Mississippi State

Analysis: "Some teams would absolutely not draft Simmons in the first round, because of the video of him repeatedly punching a woman in 2016, when he was in high school. (Mississippi State described the incident as an effort to break up a domestic fight between his sister and the other woman; Simmons has said he regrets his actions). He is also recovering from a torn ACL suffered during training in February, and may not be available this season. One team decision-maker said he does not think Simmons will go in the first round, but two other evaluators said they believed he'd be taken in the 20s, on account of his top-10 talent. Simmons has met with the Colts, who have a need at defensive line."

——————————

Expert: DraftTek.com

Date of mock draft: April 17 (link)

Selection: Hakeem Butler, WR, Iowa State

Previous selections: Deionte Thompson, S, Alabama; Nasir Adderley, S, Delaware; Hakeem Butler, WR, Iowa State; Jaylon Ferguson, DE, Louisiana Tech; Brian Burns, DE, Florida State; Jaylon Ferguson, DE, Louisiana Tech; Brian Burns, DE, Florida State; Dre'Mont Jones, DT, Ohio State; J.J. Arcega-Whiteside, WR, Stanford; Emanuel Hall, WR, Missouri

Analysis: "Indy, should they find themselves without a Defensive Lineman to take at this selection, may still likely go defense in the secondary. However, if the Big Board in Circle City has a few WR's in the area of their first 25-30 slots, Hakeem Butler just might be the pick the Colts end up making. Nasty and a brute after the catch, Butler won't have to be an immediate-impact starter with T.Y. Hilton and Devin Funchess on either side to start training camp. That doesn't mean he couldn't ultimately push Funchess for time on the field and give QB Andrew Luck the potential to sling it around to a top-caliber trio of wideouts. The former Cyclone still needs refinement in footwork and will have to gain the trust of Andrew Luck when he gets targeted for passes by not dropping the ball. But Butler's also shown he can make spectacular grabs and create additional pressure on defensive backs, while drawing off the double-teams that T.Y. has been dealing with the past three or so seasons. His length and size will also allow Butler to create problems when blocking for other players. Might not be a "penciled-in" starter by Week 1 or 2, but with hard work and determination, he has the ability to be a solid and productive wideout for the Colts."

——————————

Expert: Nate Davis, USA TODAY

Date of mock draft: April 16 (link)

Selection: Johnathan Abram, S, Mississippi State

Previous selections: Greedy Williams, CB, LSU; D.K. Metcalf, WR, Mississippi

Analysis: "A heat-seeking enforcer, he'd meld beautifully with center fielder Malik Hooker on Indy's back line."

Note: Davis has the Colts trading down from No. 26 overall, acquiring the No. 29-overall pick and "a mid-round pick" from the Kansas City Chiefs in exchange for the 26th pick.

——————————

Expert: Daniel Jeremiah, NFL.com

Date of mock draft: April 16 (link)

Selection: Johnathan Abram, S, Mississippi State

Previous selections: N'Keal Harry, WR, Arizona State; Johnathan Abram, S, Mississippi State

Analysis: "Selfishly, I would just love to see him play opposite of Malik Hooker in Indy, where Abram could play in the box and allow Hooker to make plays over the top. "

——————————

Expert: Chris Trapasso, CBS Sports

Date of mock draft: April 16 (link)

Selection: Christian Wilkins, DT, Clemson

Previous selections: Dexter Lawrence, DT, Clemson; Brian Burns, DE, Florida State; A.J. Brown, WR, Ole Miss; Lonnie Johnson, CB, Kentucky; Byron Murphy, CB, Washington; A.J. Brown, WR, Ole Miss; Byron Murphy, CB, Washington; Dexter Lawrence, DT, Clemson

Analysis: "The Colts could use more meat on the inside of their defensive line. Wilkins can do anything asked of him up front."

Note: Trapasso most recently conducted a two-round Mock Draft. In the second round, he had the Colts selecting Emanuel Hall, WR, Missouri (No. 34 overall) and Johnathan Abram, S, Mississippi State (No. 59 overall).

——————————

Expert: Danny Kelly, The Ringer

Date of mock draft: April 15 (link)

Selection: D.K. Metcalf, WR, Ole Miss

Previous selections: Jeffery Simmons, DT, Mississippi State; Taylor Rapp, S, Washington; Byron Murphy, CB, Washington

Analysis: "Has the size, hands, and top-tier athleticism (he is, one could say, in good shape) to become unguardable downfield."

——————————

Expert: Michael Renner, Pro Football Focus

Date of mock draft: April 15 (link)

Selection: Jerry Tillery, DT, Notre Dame

Previous selections: J.J. Arcega-Whiteside, WR, Stanford

Analysis: "Chris Ballard has coveted long, versatile defensive linemen (Denico Autry, Margus Hunt) and Tillery is precisely that. He brings far more pass-rush than what's currently on the roster."

——————————

Expert: Forrest N. Long, The Huddle Report

Date of mock draft: April 10 (link)

Selection: Marquise Brown, WR, Oklahoma

Previous selections: Jeffery Simmons, DL, Mississippi State

Analysis: "I had the Colts selecting DL Jeffery Simmons, however his injury could cause him to fall out of round one, so the Colts turn their attention to getting QB Andrew Luck a young receiving threat."

——————————

Expert: Conor Orr, MMQB

Date of mock draft: April 10 (link)

Selection: Rashan Gary, DE, Michigan

Previous selections: Clelin Ferrell, DE, Clemson

Analysis: "Gary will probably not be here, however, if the draft shakes out and certain teams prioritize production (he had 9.5 sacks in three years at Michigan) maybe the Colts get lucky. Indianapolis met with him during the pre-draft process, and their due diligence pays off."

——————————

Expert: Charley Casserly, NFL.com

Date of mock draft: April 9 (link)

Selection: A.J. Brown, WR, Mississippi

Previous selections: Dre'Mont Jones, DL, Ohio State

Analysis: "Brown will fill the slot for the Colts, but he can also play outside, too."

——————————

Expert: Todd McShay, ESPN

Date of mock draft: April 9 (link; ESPN Insider access required)

Selection: Johnathan Abram, S, Mississippi State

Previous selections: Clelin Ferrell, DE, Clemson; Taylor Rapp, S, Washington; Trayvon Mullen, CB, Clemson; Christian Wilkins, DT, Clemson

Analysis: "Abram is intimidating at strong safety, taking great angles and closing with conviction. Brown is the top slot receiver in the draft. Jones has a great first step and a good motor. Love shows above-average instincts in coverage. This is a good haul for a team that was difficult to stop in the second half of the 2018 season. Abram and Love will further limit big plays on defense -- something Indy was quite good at to begin with -- and Brown will give Andrew Luck a reliable option in the passing game."

Note: McShay also projected the Colts' two picks in the second round, as well as their third-round pick. He has the team selecting A.J. Brown, WR, Ole Miss at No. 34 overall, and Dre'Mont Jones, DT, Ohio State at No. 59 overall; he has the Colts selecting Julian Love, CB, Notre Dame, with their third-round pick.

——————————

Expert: Dane Brugler, The Athletic

Date of mock draft: April 8 (link; The Athletic subscription required)

Selection: A.J. Brown, WR, Ole Miss

Previous selections: Byron Murphy, CB, Washington; Deandre Baker, CB, Georgia; Jeffery Simmons, DT, Mississippi State

Analysis: "Colts general manager Chris Ballard got Andrew Luck some help on the offensive line early in last year's draft. And this year, he might look to upgrade his quarterback's receiving arsenal with a player like Brown, who is a natural route runner with strong hands, working outside or in the slot."

Note: Brugler most recently conducted a seven-round Mock Draft. In the second round, he had the Colts selecting Johnathan Abram, S, Mississippi State (No. 34 overall) and Joejuan Williams, CB, Vanderbilt (No. 59 overall). In the third round, he had the Colts selecting Maxx Crosby, DE, Eastern Michigan. Fourth round: Daniel Wise, DT, Kansas, and Drew Forbes, G, Southeast Missouri State. Fifth round: Dax Raymond, TE, Utah State. Sixth round: Myles Gaskin, RB, Washington. Seventh round: Ryan Connelly, LB, Wisconsin.

——————————

Expert: Josh Norris, Rotoworld

Date of mock draft: April 8 (link)

Selection: Jerry Tillery, DT, Notre Dame

Analysis: "Chris Ballard is into athleticism along his defensive front. That was true during his time in Kansas City, and it was clear in his first year with the Colts. Look at the additions of Margus Hunt and the drafting of Tyquan Lewis and Kemoko Turay. Enter Tillery, who is an outstanding interior disruptor from a variety of alignments and posted an athletic profile in the 84th percentile. Tillery is a top 15 prospect in my book."

——————————

Expert: Charles Davis, NFL.com

Date of mock draft: April 2 (link)

Selection: Dexter Lawrence, DT, Clemson

Previous selections: D.K. Metcalf, WR, Mississippi

Analysis: "DT Denico Autry played the best football of his career in the second half of 2018. He will be excited to add the huge frame of Lawrence to the DL room. Plus, the Colts have to be prepared for the run-heavy teams/big backs in the AFC South (Derrick Henry in Tennessee, Leonard Fournette in Jacksonville, Lamar Miller/D'Onta Foreman in Houston)."

——————————

Expert: Jake Arthur, Colts.com

Date of mock draft: March 28 (link)

Selection: Clelin Ferrell, DE, Clemson

Analysis: "Ferrell has been one of my big draft "crushes" dating back to last year before he announced he would return to Clemson, and the Colts land him for my second mock draft in a row. The Colts just added veteran pass rusher Justin Houston in free agency, but they'll never stop trying to get their best eight-or-so defensive linemen. Adding Ferrell would give the Colts an edge rotation at the top of Jabaal Sheard/Houston with Kemoko Turay/Ferrell following them up. With Sheard due to hit free agency in 2020, the Colts wouldn't be placed in a bind should he sign elsewhere due to the depth they would already have after selecting Ferrell."

Note: Arthur most recently projected the Colts' four picks in the first three rounds of the draft. In the second round, he had the Colts selecting Jeffery Simmons, DT, Mississippi State (No. 34 overall) and Chauncey Gardner-Johnson, S, Florida (No. 59 overall). In the third round, he had the Colts selecting Terry McLaurin, WR, Ohio State.

——————————

Expert: Doug Farrar, TouchdownWire

Date of mock draft: March 28 (link)

Selection: Clelin Ferrell, DE, Clemson

Previous selections: Brian Burns, DE, Florida State; Clelin Ferrell, DE, Clemson; N'Keal Harry, WR, Arizona State

Analysis: "Getting Justin Houston as a short-term fix for the pass rush was a great move by Colts general manager Chris Ballard, but there's still a need for a longer-term solution at the edge. Ferrell isn't the flashiest pass-rusher in this class, but he's very technically proficient, and he adds credible run defense right away."

——————————

Expert: Kalyn Kahler, MMQB

Date of mock draft: March 27 (link)

Selection: Marquise Brown, WR, Oklahoma

Previous selections: Taylor Rapp, S, Washington; A.J. Brown, WR, Ole Miss

Analysis: "The Colts added Devin Funchess in free agency, but adding the speedy Brown across from T.Y. Hilton would give them a second deep threat and put opposing defenses in a bind."

——————————

Expert: Peter Schrager, NFL.com

Date of mock draft: March 26 (link)

Selection: Dexter Lawrence, DT, Clemson

Previous selections: Josh Jacobs, RB, Alabama

Analysis: "GM Chris Ballard has had the golden touch over the past 12 months, nailing last year's draft perhaps like no other GM in the league. Lawrence was one of the highest-ranked high school prospects in recent memory out of North Carolina, and he delivered at Clemson. He's massive (350 pounds), talented and well-liked. Lawrence missed the team's two postseason games this year because of a failed test for a performance-enhancing substance, but his coaches vouch for him and scream it from the mountaintops."

——————————

Expert: Matt Miller, Bleacher Report

Date of mock draft: March 25 (link)

Selection: Jeffery Simmons, DL, Mississippi State

Previous selections: Christian Wilkins, DL, Clemson; N'Keal Harry, WR, Arizona State

Analysis: "The fall of Jeffery Simmons due to a torn ACL suffered in pre-combine workouts is bad news for the player but great news for Colts general manager Chris Ballard, who can now land a top-five player at a discount. Simmons has some of the best tape in the draft class. He's powerful, fast, impactful and a master of penetrating the B-gap to get to the quarterback. Simmons could be considered a value pick if the Colts are confident in his ability to work back from injury—and if he's passed their character vetting after he punched a woman in March 2016. With Simmons, Justin Houston and last year's Defensive Rookie of the Year Darius Leonard, the Colts would have a defensive front seven that scares opposing offenses."

Note: Miller most recently conducted a three-round Mock Draft. In the second round, he had the Colts selecting N'Keal Harry, WR, Arizona State (No. 34 overall) and Justin Layne, CB, Michigan State (No. 59 overall). In the third round, he had the Colts selecting Devin Singletary, RB, Florida Atlantic.

——————————

Expert: Lance Zierlein, NFL.com

Date of mock draft: March 21 (link)

Selection: Dexter Lawrence, DT, Clemson

Previous selections: Jerry Tillery, DT, Notre Dame

Analysis: "Last season, general manager Chris Ballard added a big, strong offensive lineman in Quenton Nelson with his first-round pick. This year, he adds a big, strong guy on the defensive side with Lawrence."

——————————

Expert: Bucky Brooks, NFL.com

Date of mock draft: March 19 (link)

Selection: Jonathan Abram, S, Mississippi State

Previous selections: Deandre Baker, CB, Georgia; N'Keal Harry, WR, Arizona State

Analysis: "Abrams is the enforcer the Colts need to complement ballhawk Malik Hooker. The Mississippi State star is an exceptional run defender with the toughness and power to patrol the middle of the field."

——————————

Expert: Joe Marino, The Draft Network

Date of mock draft: March 10 (link)

Selection: Clelin Ferrell, DE, Clemson

Previous selections: Dexter Lawrence, DL, Clemson

Analysis: "Racking up 50.5 tackles for loss and 27 sacks across the last three season at Clemson, Ferrell was one of college football's most prolific EDGE rushers. He has prototypical size, excellent play strength, length and the technical refinement needed to be an impact rusher in the NFL. General manager Chris Ballard has indicated adding pass rush would be a priority this offseason and Ferrell fits perfectly."

——————————

Expert: Steve Palazzolo, Pro Football Focus

Date of mock draft: March 7 (link)

Selection: Justin Layne, CB, Michigan State

Previous selection: Marquise Brown, WR, Oklahoma

Analysis: "Layne may not be a first-round prospect for everyone, but his length and feel for zone coverages make him an excellent fit for the Colts' defensive scheme. He graded at an impressive 89.5 in coverage last season."

——————————

Expert: The Athletic Beat Writers

Date of mock draft: March 6 (link; The Athletic subscription required)

Selection: Deandre Baker, CB, Georgia

Analysis: "Indianapolis is very thin in the secondary. GM Chris Ballard said at the scouting combine that defensive back depth is among his greatest concerns. After the Colts beefed up the offensive and defensive fronts in the 2018 draft, it is perhaps time to address the back end of the defense with a corner who possesses ball skills. — Stephen Holder

Dane's Take: Schematically, this pairing fits like a glove. Baker has the fluidity and quickness to play in a man scheme, but his instincts fit best in a Cover-2 or zone-heavy defense. He has the innate ability to diagnose routes and put himself in position to make plays on the football. Baker also has the toughness to hold his own as a run defender. The Colts and Baker are a great match."

——————————

Expert: Maurice Jones-Drew, NFL.com

Date of mock draft: Feb. 12 (link)

Selection: N'Keal Harry, WR, Arizona State

Analysis: "Another playmaker to help Andrew Luck, Harry is physical and will nicely complement T.Y. Hilton."

Related Content

2024 Season Tickets - Now Available!

2024 Season Tickets - Now Available!

Season Tickets for the 2024 Season are available now! Get access to the best seating locations, best pricing, and best benefits as a Colts Season Ticket Member!

Advertising