Colts Mock Draft Denton 1.0 - Post Senior Bowl

The 2021 NFL offseason is well underway now and the first big date in the calendar, in roster turnover terms, iwas 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 Miami Dolphins and Carolina Panthers 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 is a big fan of the Senior Bowl as he has drafted 11 players in his 4 years in Indianapolis who have taken part in the Senior Bowl.

So, using the 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 21 - EDGE Joseph Ossai

BPA (best player available) in the first round as there were no quarterbacks or left tackles of value at the pick. Joseph Ossai from Texas is a very long, explosive athlete with a burning motor off the edge. He spent time at both off the ball linebacker and defensive end during his time at Texas due to his natural athleticism but it may have stopped his development at the position he will be playing in the NFL as edge rusher. Ossai would immediately add an upgrade for the Colts off the edge and could create a future pass rushing tandem with Kemoko Turay.

Round 2 Pick 53 - OT Dillion Radunz

Left tackle of the future is drafted in the second round. Dillion Radunz from North Dakota State is a good overall athlete with great length. Radunz shows off against both the pass and run with his athletic ability. Although Radunz is still very good against the pass he is dominant against the run with a nasty mauling streak in him. He does have a thick lower body but still is only just 300lbs and could still add some more mass and bulk which would make him overall more effective. Radunz could start immediately for the Colts at left tackle and with a NFL strength programme with some good added weight and continued development Radunz could have a very long career as a starting left tackle in the NFL.

Round 3 Pick 84 - TE Hunter Long

Potential future TE1 for the Colts is drafted in the third round. Hunter Long from Boston College is a solid overall tight end in all aspects. Long does everything well; hes a good route runner, with good hands and ball skills and can block well. Long is a modest overall athlete and could still work on adding some weight and sharpening up his route running. Long could be the Colts TE3 behind Doyle and Alie-Cox while he develops and could end up being a starter for a long time.

Round 4 Pick 125 - CB Ambry Thomas

A potential starting cornerback of the future gets selected in the fourth round. Ambry Thomas from Michigan has a lot of desirable traits that will translate well in the NFL. Thomas is a physical player who excels when he can press at the line and get his hands on a receiver, adding in his good speed he has potential to be a starting cornerback down the line. Thomas does have some length and size issues but his athleticism and mirroring ability in coverage will translate well to the NFL. Thomas could sit behind Moore, Ya-Sin and Tell on the depth chart while he bulks up and then be ready to start down the line.

Round 5 Pick 164 - WR Dazz Newsome

A top play making wide receiver gets drafted in the fifth round. Dazz Newsome from North Carolina is a great route runner with excellent change of direction and ball skills. Newsome was primarily a slot wide receiver for North Carolina and feasted on opposing defenses from the slot. His ability to change direction so effortless at speed making defenders miss is fantastic. Newsome seems to have such a good feel for his routes and how they match up against coverage and seems to always find a way to get open. He could add some more muscle to his frame which would able him to handle NFL level contact better and also he needs to work on his release off the line of scrimmage as he will be tested in the NFL with press coverage. Newsome could be the Colts starting slot receiver and also add in his punt returner ability and he could be a play maker from the start.

Round 6 Pick 201 - S/LB JaCoby Stevens

A do it all defender out of LSU gets drafted in the sixth round. JaCoby Stevens from LSU started his college career playing both sides of the ball as a safety and wide receiver. Stevens eventually found his side of the ball and settled in on defense, his versatility didn’t end there though as he was used in a variety of roles on defense such as linebacker, slot corner, box safety and single high safety. Stevens is well built with good size and his physicality really shows on the field. Stevens does have some mobility issues and isn’t overly explosive but it may be due to him playing around 230 lbs where as he weighed in at the Senior Bowl at 216 lbs which may help with the mobility issues. Stevens would likely be a core special teamer to begin his NFL career but his upside is good and could be developed into a WILL linebacker or box safety down the line for the Colts.

Round 7 Pick 245 - CB Robert Rochell

A developmental cornerback is taken in the seventh round. Robert Rochell from Central Arkansas is an elite athlete at the cornerback position and shows explosion and quick hips on the field. Rochell has long and short speed, can play both man and zone coverage effectively and is also a good tackler. He does have a physical nature to his play but it can come back to bite him at times as he can be overly physical and if it is drawing flags at the college level it will certainly draw them at the NFL level. Rochell is still a raw cornerback but his elite athleticism and promising traits give him a very good foundation to build on at the next level, he would likely be a special teamer to begin his career and develop before playing in the NFL.