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Every year on the eve of the NFL Draft, NFL Network’s Mike Mayock conducts his own mock draft. Last night Mayock did for the Indianapolis Colts what so many have been speculating and mocked a trade-back with the Buffalo Bills netting the No. 12 and 22 overall selections, as well as an additional Day 2 selection in return.
The Bills’ target in moving up to the No. 6 selection was Wyoming quarterback Josh Allen, and as the board continued to fall behind their pick, the Colts were afforded a shot at Alabama safety/cornerback Minkah Fitzpatrick at No. 12.
Grabbing Fitzpatrick in this spot leaves some questions that would have to be answered for the Colts secondary. Would they incorporate more 3-safety sets, using the combination of Fitzpatrick, Clayton Geathers and Malik Hooker to improve coverage downfield with Fitzpatrick, while adding physicality to the nickel position with Geathers? Or, would they tend to use Fitzpatrick in that nickel role to mitigate the opposition’s slot receivers?
Probably a bit of both depending on who they were playing and what their receiving corps/tight end situations were like.
Then you have to consider if the Colts would attempt to stand pat with Geathers and Hooker on the back end while utilizing Fitzpatrick as a boundary corner opposite Quincy Wilson. Both are intriguing options, but figuring it out through training camp would be just as enjoyable.
With the No. 22 overall pick, some pass rushers and most of the linebackers were off of the board, and thus the Colts nabbed Georgia tackle/guard Isaiah Wynn to solidify the offensive line. Wynn has had his praises sung by multiple analysts over the past several weeks.
Some have called him the best run blocking guard in more than a decade and a few have doubled down on that claim. Either way, the Colts would get another versatile player who fits a need and brings the overall talent value with him.
These may not be Bradley Chubb, or Quenton Nelson, but these two picks would fill gaping holes on the Colts roster that must be filled with top-end talent, not just bodies for the transition ahead of the organization. Colts fans should be ecstatic if this scenario plays out tonight in Round 1.