Mock Draft Monday 2.0

The Indianapolis Colts fell 38-35 to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday. With this loss, the Colts are basically eliminated from playoff contention on the year. While they still could potentially make it, they would need to win out and get some help to even have a chance at the postseason. With how unlikely it seems to happen, especially with how this offense is playing, it is officially “Draft Season” in Indianapolis.

As we enter draft season, there is nothing better than reading mock drafts. They may not be the most accurate when it is all said and done, but it is a nice way to learn about potential players the Colts could have interest in come April. With all the research I did for the Build-A-Ballard series last off season and looking at the Colts’ needs going into next year, I will be doing a weekly mock draft on this site titled Mock Draft Monday. This is the second of many to come using The Draft Network’s Mock Draft Simulator on their site.

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Round 1 Pick 17: Jordan Love, QB, Utah State

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Jacoby Brissett had one of his better games on Sunday yet it still wasn’t enough to get the Colts the victory. He was sporadic with his accuracy all game and when the team needed points late in the game, he yet again fell short. While he hung in there and made a few plays, these constant issues remained and make it look more and more like the Colts need a franchise quarterback in this upcoming class. He showed yet again that he is an average quarterback who can play well at times but just isn’t the long term answer at the position.

Enter a potential star player in Jordan Love. While he is not having the best season overall, it is explainable when put into context. Love has thrown for 17 touchdowns and 16 interceptions this year, which is giving a lot of people pause when jumping on his hype train. The biggest reasoning for this was that Utah State lost not only their head coach but also almost every offensive starter from the year before. When he had talent on his team in 2017, he threw 32 touchdowns and just 6 interceptions. He is having an inconsistent year but he has the potential to be an elite NFL quarterback. He has the touch, anticipation, and aggressiveness that can take the Colts to the next level in 2020.

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Round 2 Pick 35: DeVonta Smith, WR, Alabama

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The Colts need help at receiver. TY Hilton has been one of the best receivers in football throughout his career but he is getting into his 30’s, now, and the injuries are starting to mount. Devin Funchess was signed to be the team’s number two, but he broke his collarbone in the first game of the year and his future with the team is very much up in the air. Rookie Parris Campbell has shown flashes this season, but was a raw prospect coming out who has also dealt with many injuries in just his rookie season. To round out the roster, Zach Pascal has had a breakout year but he is likely not the answer as a top 2-3 receiver on this team going forward.

One potential solution is star Alabama receiver DeVonta Smith. Known as the team’s “Third receiver”, Smith has effectively broken out in 2019. He has put together three games this year over 200 yards and has dominated top opponents all season. He has an outstanding 18.5 yards per catch in 2019, making him one of the best deep threats in football. He also has excellent releases off of the line, is a great route runner, and has showcased ability to catch passes in traffic. He has all the tools to be a top receiver in the NFL and would be a great weapon to give new quarterback Jordan Love.

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Round 2 Pick 49: Marvin Wilson, DT, Florida State

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The Colts need for help on the interior of their defensive line was emphasized last Sunday with the big game from Derrick Henry. The Colts need another talented player in there. Denico Autry has been a bit of a disappointment this year but is still a solid piece on the interior. Margus Hunt was signed to be the other defensive tackle but he regressed a ton this off-season and was relegated to back up duties early in the year. Grover Stewart has had a breakout year but he gets little to no rush as a pass rusher.

One player who could change that is Marvin Wilson out of Florida State. He is an excellent interior player as he broke out in 2019 with 5 sacks and 8.5 tackles for a loss. Unfortunately, he suffered a hand injury that ended his season back in November. Before that injury though, Wilson showed everything on film that you look for in a defensive tackle. He has good size and quickness for the position and was disruptive on almost every snap. He is a powerful player who understands the importance of having go-to moves and a plan of attack on each rush. He also brings great hustle and energy on every play. Adding Wilson would go a long way in improving the Colts’ pass rush in 2020.

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Round 3 Pick 81: Jonathan Greenard, DE, Florida

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The Colts have invested a lot in the defensive end position under Chris Ballard. They have signed veterans Jabaal Sheard and Justin Houston in free agency and drafted Ben Banogu and Kemoko Turay on day two of the last two drafts. While that core of players has been solid, the Colts may have to add another end to potentially replace Sheard if he leaves in free agency.

A perfect solution would be to draft Jonathan Greenard from Florida. The redshirt Senior defensive end has been very productive the last two seasons and is flying a bit under the radar at the moment. He is sturdy in run defense but also has a certain quickness to him that allows him to beat lineman to certain spots. He seems to always be in the right spot in run defense. As a pass rusher, he is a bit raw but showcases nice bend and hand usage on the edge. He has also racked up 16 sacks the last two seasons and has an ability to finish plays. If Sheard happens to walk in free agency this off-season and Greenard shows out at the Senior Bowl, he could find himself in a Colts’ uniform come next April.

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Round 4 Pick 113: Albert Okwuegbunam, TE, Missouri

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The Colts have two of their tight ends locked up going forward in Jack Doyle and Mo Alie-Cox. The main issue going forward is who can the team get to fill that pass catching, vertical role at the tight end spot. One potential solution is Albert O from Missouri. He is a big bodied tight end with an excellent catch radius. He moves well in space and is a monster in the red zone as he has caught 23 touchdowns in the past three seasons. As a blocker, he isn’t phenomenal but he does give effort on most plays. He is a bit inconsistent with his hands, as Colts fans were accustomed to with Eric Ebron, but he his the ability to be a playmaker at tight end. His fit with Doyle and Alie-Cox would be excellent.

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Round 5 Pick 144: Antonio Gandy-Golden, WR, Liberty

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While the Colts have some talent in the receiver group with Zach Pascal, TY Hilton, and Parris Campbell, they really lack size overall. They don’t have that big bodied payer who can make plays in traffic and bail a quarterback out in a pinch. Gandy-Golden could be that guy for the Colts on day three in this upcoming draft. Standing at 6’4”, 220 pounds, he is a monster on the outside with some of the best hands in the class. No pass is out of his reach with his catch radius as he effortlessly soars above defenders for difficult catches. He is an acrobat in the air as he contorts and twists his body to get in great position for passes. He will likely slip to day three due to his average long speed and route running but the Colts could find a gem with this productive Senior in the 2020 NFL Draft.

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Round 6 Pick 176: Lamar Jackson, CB, Nebraska

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The Colts and Chris Ballard love big and physical cornerbacks. Jackson is exactly that as he stands at 6’3” 215 pounds and is a physical force on the outside. He is also a pretty developed zone corner as he has good eye discipline and keeps his eyes in the right area at all times. He is a willing run defender too as he isn’t afraid of mixing it up with his size. When you combine all these traits and add in that he has been productive on the back end with 5 picks the last two years, he seems like a good fit for what Matt Eberflus and the Colts like in the cornerbacks.

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Round 6 Pick 183: Reggie Floyd, SAF, Virginia Tech

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The Colt have a good safety group with Malik Hooker, Khari Willis, and George Odum. What they could use though is one more young safety to round out that group and provide solid depth. One potential day three option is Reggie Floyd. Floyd has experience playing both safety spots and is very physical when asked to come downhill. He displays good ball skills as well as he has 5 interceptions and 9 pass deflections in his career. He is also versatile as he can line up in the box, in the slot, and even play special teams as well. He may not be a world beater safety prospect but he is the perfect player to have to round out your roster at safety in 2020.

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Round 7 Pick 208: J.J. Taylor, RB, Arizona

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Let’s get fun with this last pick. The Colts don’t really need another running back but Taylor has the traits to be a very fun addition to this Colts’ team. He is very undersized but he makes up for that by being elusive and quick in the open field. He is a creator in space as he can turn short gains into big plays. He simply makes things happen with the ball in his hand. He may not be in the running back rotation for the Colts due to Nyheim Hines but he could be a good replacement for Chester Rogers as a punt returner in 2020. Taylor is certainly not a need at this point in this draft but his skill set is too fun to miss out on in round seven.