BR Matt Miller’s Final Mock Draft Has the Colts Selecting a Future Franchise QB to WR Combo

According to Bleacher Report’s Matt Miller, the Indianapolis Colts could have the franchise’s next great quarterback to wide receiver combination in his Final NFL Mock Draft by selecting Utah State quarterback Jordan Love and Baylor wide receiver Denzel Mims with their first two early second round picks—as the NFL Draft begins Thursday night:

34. COLTS (via WSH): QB Jordan Love, Utah State

44. COLTS: WR Denzel Mims, Baylor

Regarding Love, the 6’4”, 224 pound junior quarterback completed 293 of 473 passes (61.9%) for 3,402 passing yards, 20 touchdowns, and 17 interceptions in 13 starts this past season for the Aggies.

However, with a stronger supporting cast, Love is just one season removed from a 32 touchdown to 6 interception season as a sophomore in 2018—as he was named 2nd-Team All-Mountain West Conference.

While still a bit raw as a passer, Love has a lot of natural arm talent—with the ability to throw off multiple platforms, good mobility, and the ability to make big-time throws under duress.

He needs to improve in his accuracy and overall decision-making at times.

With 38 year old starter Philip Rivers serving as a veteran stopgap, the Colts could use a long-term answer at the quarterback position. Love could ‘redshirt’ for a year—maybe two behind Rivers before fully taking over the starting reins as early as 2021.

Love turned some heads at the NFL Combine, but there has been some recent chatter that he could fall out of the draft’s first round entirely.

Meanwhile, the 6’3”, 207 pound senior Baylor wideout, Denzel Mims, caught 66 receptions for 1,020 receiving yards (15.5 ypr. avg) and 12 touchdown receptions during 13 starts—earning First-Team All-Big 12 honors in 2019.

Mims had a strong showing at this year’s Senior Bowl.

He followed it up by posting a 4.38 forty time, 38.5 inch vertical, and 131.0 inch broad jump at the NFL Combine—which places the former track standout in the 94.6% NFL percentile (which is 4th best among his wide receiver draft class).

Mims arguably has the best combination of size, speed, and athleticism—with proven production that the Colts can find in the early second round.

He can consistently separate from defensive backs, while still having the size to win 50-50 jumpballs downfield. He’s very fluid in his route-running and has shown the ability to make highly contested catches. He’s also been highly regarded for his make-up and character.

That being said, Mims needs to get better at playing through contact, as it relates to beating press coverage and at the catch point. His route tree was also somewhat limited at Baylor, so he’ll need to continue to grow and develop as a route runner—but that should simply come with more exposure at the next level.

Miller also projects the Colts to select the following prospects with their remaining picks:

75. COLTS: OT Prince Tega Wanogho, Auburn

122. COLTS: S Brandon Jones, Texas

160. COLTS: TE Dalton Keene, Virginia Tech

193. COLTS: EDGE D.J. Wonnum, South Carolina

197. COLTS (via DAL/MIA): CB Harrison Hand, Temple

With their first two second round picks, Love and Mims would no doubt be an impressive offensive haul for the Colts—with the potential to have the franchise’s next great quarterback to wide receiver combination in time—joining the likes of Peyton Manning to Marvin Harrison/Reggie Wayne or Andrew Luck to T.Y. Hilton in team lore.

Time will tell what will ultimately happen with the Colts, but with the NFL Draft kicking off tonight, the waiting is finally over—and that’s the hardest part.