NFL Mock Draft 2015: NFL.com's Seven-Round Mock Draft for the Colts

A few days ago, NFL.com's Lance Zierlein and Chad Reuter released a seven-round mock draft, and it's worth a read as we quickly approach the draft, which will begin on Thursday night.

Who did Zierlein and Reuter have the Colts taking with their nine picks?  Let's take a look:

Round 1:

29. Ereck Flowers, OT, Miami
Mauler and brawler who loves to fire out and hit people. Flowers is a work in progress as a pass blocker, but Colts could start him inside at right guard from Day 1.

Round 2:

61. Cody Prewitt, S, Mississippi
The Colts have also lacked a playmakers at safety since Antoine Bethea left, so they grab Prewitt to address the problem.

Round 3:

93. Reese Dismukes, C, Auburn
Andrew Luck needs a reliable, tough center like Dismukes to help him lead the Colts further into the playoffs.

Round 4:

128. David Johnson, RB, Northern Iowa

Round 5:

165. Justin Coleman, CB, Tennessee

Round 6:

205. Kyle Emanuel, OLB, North Dakota State

207. Cameron Artis-Payne, RB, Auburn

Round 7:

244. Gerod Holliman, S, Louisville

255. Louis Trinca-Pasa, DT, Iowa

If the draft happened this way for the Colts, they would grab two offensive linemen in the first three rounds to help improve the protection up front, would grab two good value safety selections with Prewitt in the second round and Holliman in the seventh round, would add two running backs, an outside linebacker, a cornerback, and a defensive tackle.

Obviously, the most notable selection is the first round pick in which Zierlein and Reuter have the Colts taking Miami offensive tackle Ereck Flowers.  It's pretty clear that the Colts need defensive help, but they also might need to add a right tackle depending on the health of Gosder Cherilus - a situation that brings with it a lot of uncertainty at the moment.  Finding a long-term replacement there wouldn't be a bad selection, but I'm not sure if Flowers is the guy I'd take with the 29th pick in this year's draft to be that.

I like the selection of Prewitt in the second round, as the Colts do need a safety and this seems like solid value to grab the safety near the end of the round.  While the team would love to have Landon Collins fall to them, they should be able to get a solid player in a later round - and in this mock draft, they get Prewitt in the second round and Holliman in the seventh round.

As for the third round pick, I think it's a good selection, but I'm not sure how likely it would be.  The Colts really like the talent they have in Khaled Holmes and Jonotthan Harrison, and I can't see them spending a third round pick on a center - particularly if they also use their first round pick on an offensive lineman.

What are your thoughts on this seven-round mock draft for the Colts?