NFL Mock Draft 2016: Todd McShay has Colts taking an outside linebacker

With the NFL Combine over, we'll see an increase in mock drafts starting this week and then continuing in the months leading up to the NFL Draft.  The Combine gives us a better idea of some of the prospects and, perhaps more importantly, a better idea of which teams value certain prospects or positions.

In his first post-Combine mock draft and third overall, ESPN's Todd McShay has the Indianapolis Colts taking Georgia outside linebacker Leonard Floyd with the 18th overall pick.

If Laremy Tunsil, Ronnie Stanley, Jack Conklin and Taylor Decker are all off the board, the Colts will have to decide whether to reach for an O-lineman (Jason Spriggs and Germain Ifedi are next up on my board) or take an impact player elsewhere. Floyd would give Indianapolis an athlete who can pressure the QB and drop into coverage. He's not a finished product, so that might scare off some talent evaluators, but Floyd has the raw tools to develop into a playmaker.

Floyd has been a somewhat common pick for the Colts in mock drafts, as they really need defensive playmakers - particularly those who can rush the quarterback.  Floyd spent three seasons at Georgia before declaring for the NFL Draft following his junior season, and he played in 38 games (starting 32), recording 184 tackles, 28.5 tackles for loss, 17 sacks, five forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, four passes defensed, and 54 quarterback pressures.  One notable aspect of Floyd's tenure at Georgia is that, despite his sack numbers not being overwhelming, he led the team in the category in each of his three seasons.  In 2015, Floyd was a finalist for the Butkus Award; in 2014 he was Georgia's Defensive MVP; and in 2013 he was named to the SEC All-Freshman Team.

It was clear from the NFL Combine that Colts general manager Ryan Grigson and head coach Chuck Pagano both know that the team needs to improve their pass rush, and the hope would be that Floyd could give them a boost in the area while also providing solid play in other areas as well.  As McShay notes, Floyd needs some work, but he has upside and could hopefully be able to pressure the quarterback for Indianapolis.