Post-Free Agency 7 Round Mock Draft

With Free Agency all but over, the full attention of the NFL community turns to the Draft. This offseason, I have spent a great deal of time projecting who Chris Ballard may want to target based off of his past drafts with the Colts and Chiefs, as well as interviewing over 30 players for this site in order to find which character guys may also fit this locker room.

With all of that info in mind, here is my best prediction on who the Colts draft come April 25th. I also added a couple players who I think the Colts may target as UDFA’s post draft at the bottom. So sit back, enjoy, and call me an idiot in the comment section for not taking your favorite player.

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Round 1 (Pick 26): Clelin Ferrell, Defensive End, Clemson

Size:

6’4” 264 pounds with 34.125 inch arms

Measurables:

Bench: 25 reps / Short Shuttle: 4.4 seconds / 3-Cone: 7.26 seconds

Career Stats:

166 total tackles, 50.5 tackles for a loss, 27 sacks, 5 pass deflections, and 5 forced fumbles in his career.

Fit with the Colts:

Chris Ballard has made it clear all offseason that his number one priority is improving the pass rush. Ferrell may not have elite upside but he is a solid football player who could immediately contribute and make a team better. He is a strong run defender and is excellent with his hand usage, two traits that Ballard has favored in the past. He would slide in very well as the replacement for Jabaal Sheard when his contract is up in 2020 and serve as more of a sub rusher in 2019. His long-term potential with a Sheard-like impact is worth the first round investment.

Highlight:

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Round 2 (Pick 34): Johnathan Abram, Safety, Mississippi State

Size:

5’11” 205 pounds

Measurables:

40 Time: 4.44 / 10-yard split: 1.56 / Vertical Jump: 33.5 inches / Broad Jump: 116 inches

Career Stats:

195 total tackles, 15.5 tackles for a loss, 5 sacks, 2 interceptions, 10 pass deflections, and 3 forced fumbles in his career.

Fit with the Colts:

There are other safeties that I like over Abram but I think he fits everything that Frank Reich and Chris Ballard like in their defenders. Abram is an athletic safety who is ruthless in his downhill pursuit. He is a superb run defender and has the physicality to match up with tight ends. He also is a fierce competitor who fires up everybody around him. He may not be the most talented player at this spot, as he lacks great coverage ability, but his attitude and physicality would make him a valuable tone setter to go alongside the ballhawking Malik Hooker.

Highlight:

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Round 2 (Pick 59): Justin Layne, Cornerback, Michigan State

Size:

6’1” 192 pounds with 33 inch arms

Measurables:

40 Time: 4.5 / 10-yard split: 1.59 / Vertical Jump: 37.5 inches / Broad Jump: 134 inches / 3-Cone: 6.9 seconds

Career Stats:

130 total tackles, 4.5 tackles for a loss, 3 interceptions, and 24 pass deflections in his career.

Fit with the Colts:

Layne is a late riser in this process, and for good reason. He is a solid player who definitely fits what the Colts like. A former receiver, Layne possesses the ball skills and athleticism to succeed in the NFL. He is excellent in zone coverage, which the Colts play a ton of, and has the upside to excel in press as well. He may be a bit of a project, since his footwork is still a bit messy, but sitting behind players like Quincy Wilson, Pierre Desir, and Kenny Moore II should be very beneficial for him. I think he’d fit in very well with the Colts’ young secondary.

Highlight:

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Round 3 (Pick 89): Renell Wren, Defensive Line, Arizona State

Size:

6’4” 315 pounds

Measurables:

40 Time: 5.01 / 10-yard split: 1.75 / Vertical Jump: 32 inches / Broad Jump: 118 inches / 3-Cone: 7.65 seconds

Career Stats:

81 total tackles, 14.5 tackles for a loss, 3 sacks, 5 pass deflections, and 1 forced fumble in his career.

Fit with the Colts:

The Colts are looking for a player to replace veteran Al Woods, who left in free agency. They could use another big-bodied run defender who has potential to grow into a more complete player. That player could be Wren. A raw player who has yet to even sniff his potential, he has a baseline floor of immediately contributing as a run defender. He has the upside, though, to be much more as he is an elite athlete with upside. The Colts could be the best landing spot for him, as he wouldn’t have to immediately start and he can learn from veterans on the team.

Highlight:

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Round 4 (Pick 129): Miles Boykin, Wide Receiver, Notre Dame

Size:

6’3” 220 pounds

Measurables:

40 Time: 4.42 / 10-yard split: 1.54 / Vertical Jump: 43.5 inches / Broad Jump: 140 inches / 3-Cone: 6.77 seconds

Career Stats:

77 catches for 1,206 yards and 11 touchdowns with a yards per catch of 15.7 in his career.

Fit with the Colts:

It may be disappointing to read that the Colts aren’t selecting a receiver until the 4th round in this mock but don’t let that surprise you. Ballard historically likes to take chances on athletic upside in the mid rounds when it comes to receivers rather than taking the position high. Boykins, though, does fit that mold. A big and physical receiver, he absolutely killed the combine and raised his stock. There are inconsistencies on tape that he will need to work on but he could immediately contribute as a big and strong pass catcher on the outside opposite of T.Y Hilton. Adding him would also open up more slot opportunities for Devin Funchess.

Highlight:

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Round 4 (Pick 135): Foster Moreau, Tight End, LSU

Size:

6’4” 253 pounds

Measurables:

40 Time: 4.66 / 10-yard split: 1.63 / Bench Reps: 22 / Vertical Jump: 36.5 inches / Broad Jump: 121 inches / 3-Cone: 7.16 seconds

Career Stats:

52 catches for 629 yards and 6 touchdowns with a yards per catch of 12.1 in his career.

Fit with the Colts:

I know that tight end doesn’t feel like an immediate need for the team but with Eric Ebron and Jack Doyle both potentially leaving in 2020, it needs to be looked at. Moreau is kind of the best of both worlds when it comes to tight ends, as he was a traditional blocker for LSU but has the athletic upside to be a pass catcher in the NFL. He could sit behind both Ebron and Doyle for a year and really develop before taking over in 2020. With the Colts’ coaching staff and a scheme that really benefits tight ends, I think they could get the most out of a player like Moreau.

Highlight:

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Round 5 (Pick 164): Derrek Thomas, Cornerback, Baylor

Size:

6’2” 189 pounds

Measurables:

40 Time: 4.43 / 10-yard split: 1.53 / Bench Reps: 8 / Vertical Jump: 39.5 inches / Broad Jump: 131 inches / 3-Cone: 7.2 seconds

Career Stats:

21 total tackles, 1 interception, and 7 pass deflections in his one year at Baylor.

Fit with the Colts:

Another cornerback? Absolutely. The Colts had no depth last year at the position and had to completely rely on their trio of starters (and nobody else) for meaningful snaps. Thomas is nowhere near ready to play yet in the NFL, but his upside is pretty great. Another former receiver with great ball skills and length, he could be a starting cornerback one day in the league. Similarly to what I said with Layne earlier, get him in a room with players like Moore, Desir, and Wilson and let him develop and learn from those guys in this scheme.

Highlight:

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Round 6 (Pick 199): Ryquell Armstead, Running Back, Temple

Size:

5’11” 220 pounds

Measurables:

40 Time: 4.45 / 10-yard split: 1.54 / Bench Reps: 22 / Vertical Jump: 30 inches / Broad Jump: 114 inches / 3-Cone: 7.02 seconds

Career Stats:

573 carries for 2,812 yards and 34 touchdowns with a yards per carry of 4.9 in his career.

Fit with the Colts:

It is no secret that the Colts are looking for a power back this offseason. They have already worked out veterans Jay Ajayi and Spencer Ware, two grinders in the league. If they want to go through the draft, Armstead would be a great addition. He is a strong, downhill runner who welcomes contact with his bigger frame. He may not be a complete back in the pass game but give him short yardage situations and rotational touches and he will be a great day three addition.

Highlight:

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Round 7 (Pick 240): Martez Ivey, Offensive Lineman, Florida

Size:

6’5” 315 pounds

Measurables:

N/A

Fit with the Colts:

Ivey has struggled in recent years for Florida. He seemingly regressed in all phases, as his teammate Jawaan Taylor propelled himself into the Top 10. The plus side with Ivey, though, is that he has experience playing multiple positions and has the athleticism to succeed in the league. He may not be a player who you can play right away, but get him in a room with Howard Mudd and Chris Strausser and he could become something.

Highlight:

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Potential UDFA Targets

Eli Walker, Safety, Kansas State

Size:

6’2” 202 pounds

Fit with the Colts:

An athletic safety who was misused at Kansas State. He comes downhill violently and could be a a nice special teams add for the team. Colts have shown interest, as I was told that he came in for a Top 30 visit with the team.

Highlight:

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Jacob Dolegala, QB, Central Connecticut

Size:

6’6” 240 pounds

Fit with the Colts:

Jacoby Brissett won’t be with the team forever, and the Colts need to look at his future replacement. Dolegala is an underrated player in this class, as he has the size and arm strength to be an NFL QB. Reports out of Buffalo’s Pro Day are that his arm was as strong as prospect Tyree Jackson’s arm, even. I’ve also been told that the Colts have shown interest and he could be a good practice squad candidate.

Highlight:

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B.J Autry, OL. Jacksonville State

Size:

6’5” 340 pounds

Fit with the Colts:

Autry is a massive former JUCO lineman who played well last season for Jacksonville State. His upside as nasty run blocker could be worth a look for the Colts, if he ends up going undrafted. He performed well at the Senior Bowl as well, and we know Chris Ballard keeps an eye on that event every year.

Highlight:

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Darrin Hall, RB, Pittsburgh

Size:

5’11” 217 pounds

Fit with the Colts:

The Colts need a power back and even if they add Armstead in the draft, they could stand to add another player. Hall is a talented player who is a bit overshadowed because he split carries last year. He could be a perfect addition to a team, though, as a short yardage guy.

Highlight:

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B.J Blunt, LB, McNeese State

Size:

6’1” 220 pounds

Fit with the Colts:

Blunt is a bit of a tweener who may go undrafted because of his lack of a true position. His abilities and mindset, though, are both great. He is an active player who makes plays all over the field. He destroyed the Shrine Game this year with a ton of tackles. The Colts could add him after the draft as valuable special teams play and depth as a middle linebacker.

Highlight: