Colts Mock Draft Denton 2.0 - Post Senior Bowl

The 2020 NFL offseason is well underway now and the first big date in the calendar, in roster turnover terms, is the Reese’ Senior Bowl. NFL teams including the Indianapolis Colts descended into Mobile, Alabama to watch some of the top draft prospects be put through there paces by NFL coaching staffs from the Detroit Lions and Cincinnati Bengals before duelling it out in the Senior Bowl game.

The Colts coaches and scouts were front and centre during the practices and the game getting a up close look at the talent on show. The senior bowl is a great opportunity for the Colts to interview and see how the draft prospects take on NFL coaching, Chris Ballard, unfortunately missed the senior bowl this year due to illness, is a big fan of the Senior Bowl as he has drafted 10 players in his 3 years in Indianapolis who have taken part in the Senior Bowl.

So, using the amazing NFL Draft Network’s draft machine I was able to complete a 7-round mock draft for the Indianapolis Colts.

Here we go!

Round 1 Pick 13 - Jordan Love, QB

The Colts grab their franchise quarterback of the future in the first round. Jordan Love hit the scene in his sophomore year when he threw for 32 touchdowns with just 6 interceptions. He did have a slight regression in terms of production in his junior year throwing for 20 touchdowns and 17 interceptions. Love lit up the Senior Bowl this past week looking the part of a round 1 quarterback showing off his passing talent in practices.

Love will need coaching up but having him learn under Frank Reich in Indianapolis is an ideal situation as Jacoby Brissett will be the bridge quarterback in the mean time if needed.

Round 2 Pick 34 - Justin Jefferson, WR

The Colts badly need help at wide receiver, enter Justin Jefferson. Jefferson had a HUGE junior year with Joe Burrow throwing him passes he was able to accumulate 1,540 and a whopping 18 touchdowns in 15 games. Jefferson brings a great mix of size, speed, reliable hands and smooth route running ability.

Match that with him being able to play both in the slot and outside and he is a great wide receiver to add alongside TY Hilton on the Colts offense.

Round 2 Pick 44 - Brycen Hopkins, TE

With the almost certain departure of Colts tight end Eric Ebron, there is a void to fill there on the Colts offense. Brycen Hopkins can come in and play day 1 in place of Ebron. He is an explosive athlete with very polished route running.

Hopkins has all the traits teams look for in tight ends in the modern pass happy NFL. He will likely have to play the move tight end role (think Eric Ebron’s old role) in the Colts offense until he improves his strength and blocking but what he offers in the passing attack is more than valuable.

Round 3 Pick 75 - Bradlee Anae, EDGE

Arguably the best defensive player on the field at the Senior a Bowl and rightfully so. Anae showed off what he’s been doing since his sophomore year in Utah, dominating. Anae is a beast off the edge, he is an absolute technician rushing the passer and is able to win a such a variety of different ways.

Anae was super productive in college racking up 29.5 sacks and 40 tackles for a loss in his 4 years in Utah. Anae could slot right into the Colts defensive end rotation from day 1.

Round 4 Pick 112 - Ben Bredeson, iOL

The one weakness the Colts showed in 2019 along the offensive line was at right guard as Mark Glowinski had a somewhat down year. Adding some completion at the right guard position would be great and Ben Bredeson would do just that. Bredeson is a four year starter along the Wolverines offensive line and was twice voted a team captain.

He’s an absolute mailing guard who plays with impressive toughness and aggressive blocking. An interior line of Nelson, Kelly and Bredeson would be dominant.

Round 5 Pick 142 - Davon Hamilton, iDL

Chris Ballard has a common theme in his drafts every year and it’s that he selects an Ohio State prospect every year. Davon Hamilton could be that a Ohio State guy this year. Hamilton is an impressive defensive tackle who has a wealth of experience, playing in 40 games for the buckeyes producing 20 tackles for a loss and 7 sacks.

However, the stats don’t tell the story for Hamilton as you would think being on defensive lines alongside Joey Bosa, Nick Bosa and Chase Young he would of produced more. Hamilton has been the anchor of the Ohio Stare defensive line taking in double teams and doing the dirty work so others can get the splash plays and even so he still manages to split doubles and create pressure. Adding Hamilton alongside Denico Autry on the Colts interior defensive line would be a massive plus.

Round 6 Pick 173 - Reggie Floyd, SAF

Reggie Floyd is a big, athletic football player. He has the perfect blend of size and speed and it’s been on show throughout his time at Virginia Tech. Floyd can pretty much do it all, he can play deep, in the box and even splits reps at linebacker.

He’s a moveable chess piece that would have Matt Eberflus drooling over. He would be a great player to come into the Colts back end and replace Clayton Geathers. On top of all that he hits like a steam train!

Round 6 Pick 190 - Kindle Vildor, CB

Every year Colts GM Chris Ballard takes a chance on a smaller school prospect, usually in the mid to late rounds. In 2017 it was Grover Stewart out of Albany State, in 2018 it was Daurice Fountain out of Northern Iowa and in 2019 it was EJ Speed out of Tarleton State.

In 2020 could it be Kindle Vildor out of Georgia Southern? Vildor is a small school prospect but plays well above the surrounding talent. Vildor played in the Sun Belt East Conference and played against teams like Maine, South Alabama and Troy (no offense to those teams) but it was when Vildor went up against teams like LSU and Minnesota and Vildor looked like he belonged.

Vildor got himself a Senior Bowl invite and looked the part amongst some of the best seniors in college football. He would be a great late round pick to add to the Colts cornerbacks group.

Round 7 Pick 204 - Jauan Jennings, WR

The Colts double up at wide receiver here and it’s needed after how 2019 went for the receiving group. Jauan Jennings is well worth the pick here, producing 969 yards receiving and 8 touchdowns in his senior year. Jennings, 6’3 and 206lbs, would give the Colts receiving group a possession type receiver which it definitely needs.

Jennings earner himself a Senior Bowl invitation and turned up in practices regularly beating opposing defensive backs in 1 on 1 reps and even secured himself a touchdown in the game.