Colts Projected to Select LSU Wide Receiver Terrace Marshall Jr. in Recent NFL Mock Draft

According to Benjamin Solak of The Draft Network, the Indianapolis Colts are projected to select LSU wide receiver Terrace Marshall Jr. with the 21st pick of the 2021 NFL Draft in his Mock Draft 1.1:

21. Colts

Terrace Marshall Jr.

WR, LSU

I gave a lot of thought to a left tackle to replace the retiring Anthony Castonzo, but if the Colts return Philip Rivers for one final run, I imagine they’d address LT in free agency—no reason to have a rookie blindside protector when you’re trying to compete on a short-term window. Instead, I’ll continue to attack the weaponry problem with Marshall.

The Colts had to rely on Zach Pascal down the stretch (not the worst guy to rely on—he played well!), as he outplayed rookie Michael Pittman Jr. and Parris Campbell lost another season to injury. The Colts got an entire year out of T.Y. Hilton this season, but he’s now entering free agency at 32 years old, and the insurance plan—Pittman and Campbell—doesn’t look great right now. Marshall fits the long/explosive athletic mold that Ballard has prioritized at the top of drafts so far, and brings the field-stretching element the Colts may lose if they don’t return Hilton.

Regarding Marshall Jr., the 6’4”, 200 pound junior wideout caught 48 receptions for 731 receiving yards (15.2 ypr. avg.) and 10 touchdown receptions during 7 games—before opting out of the remainder of the 2020 season in late November to declare for the 2021 NFL Draft.

For the Tigers, he was a big-time scoring threat with 23 total touchdowns combined over the past two seasons (2019-20)—although playing in 2019 with former #1 overall pick Joe Burrow certainly helped.

Per LSUReveille.com:

“Dane Brugler of The Athletic said that Marshall ‘absolutely’ has a chance to be drafted in the first round of this year’s NFL draft.

‘Not only does he have an ideal body type with growth potential,’ Brugler said. ‘But he understands how to use every inch of his frame, easily adjusting to throws and plucking the ball.’

ProFootballFocus’ Mike Renner said he likes Marshall’s big frame and was impressed with his speed, too.

‘He gets off the line of scrimmage fast. He’s a downfield threat at that size,’ Renner said.”

And what others are saying:

The Colts could use another dynamic downfield threat at wide receiver, as T.Y. Hilton is 31 years old and set to become a free agent—having slowed down a bit.

Meanwhile, 2019 2nd round pick Parris Campbell has suffered consecutive injury-riddled seasons, and even though he can’t be written off, it may be wishful thinking for the Colts to safely pencil him in for a pivotal role again.

While rookie Michael Pittman Jr. had a promising debut campaign—after progressing from a scary calf injury to start the season, the Colts could really use another explosive playmaker to complement him going forward.

Marshall Jr. sounds like one of the top wideout prospects in this year’s draft class, and the Colts could use more big-play ability from their offense collectively.

Not to mention, the Colts ranked 21st (56.92%) in red zone scoring efficiency at it relates to scoring touchdowns. If Marshall, as a collegiate touchdown machine, can help translate some of last year’s field goals to tuddies, he’d be a huge asset for the Colts offense.

He’s another highly regarded prospect worth watching for the Colts.