Daniel Jeremiah’s Final Mock Draft Has the Colts Selecting Washington Edge Joe Tryon

According to NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah, the Indianapolis Colts will select Washington edge Joe Tryon with the 21st overall pick of the 2021 NFL Draft in his final mock draft 4.0:

Pick

21 Indianapolis Colts

Joe Tryon

Washington · Edge

I could see the Colts trading down before selecting an offensive lineman or pass rusher. Tryon has all the traits teams look for in an edge defender.

The 6’5”, 259 pound defensive end forwent his redshirt junior season to enter the 2021 NFL Draft.

However, he recorded 41 tackles (27 solo), 12.5 tackles for loss, 8.0 sacks, and a pass defensed as a sophomore for the Huskies in 2019—earning Second-Team All-Pac 12 honors.

Tryon tested very well at his recent Washington Pro Day too:

It’s not as though the Colts couldn’t use an infusion of youth, speed, athleticism, and bend coming off the edge either. It’s a unit that already lost last year’s starter Denico Autry to free agency and could very well lose another starter, Justin Houston, in the coming weeks.

For what it’s worth, here’s Jeremiah’s scouting report on Tryon, who he ranks as the NFL Draft’s 33rd best prospect overall:

33. Joe Tryon

Washington · Edge · Junior (RS)

Tryon has an ideal frame/build for an edge rusher. His game is built on his strength and power more than his speed and agility. He has an average get-off as a pass rusher, but he has shock in his hands to jolt offensive tackles, separate and close on the quarterback. He has a nasty push/pull move and can shorten the edge by powering through the outside shoulder. He isn’t bendy at the top of his rush due to some ankle tightness. His effort is exceptional. He dominated tight ends at the point of attack against the run and he can reset the line of scrimmage. Overall, Tryon plays with force and effort, which affects both the run and pass game. He can make an impact on all three downs and should get on the field right away for the team that drafts him.

Having sat out this past season, there’s not as much buzz/film on Tryon as some of the draft’s other top edge prospects, so he could be a bit of a sleeper of sorts for Indianapolis.

That being said, Jeremiah has the Colts passing on prized Virginia Tech left tackle Christian Darrisaw to select Tryon, who they could arguably trade down and select at least a handful of picks later—while acquiring more draft capital in the process.

Meanwhile, the Colts’ divisional rival Jacksonville Jaguars ultimately select Darrisaw at #25.

It’s not that Tryon isn’t a high quality edge prospect, but given the talent and how the board played out here, I’m wondering if either Darrisaw or trading down would be the more probable (and prudent) play for the Colts.

With the NFL Draft being kicked off on Thursday evening, we’ll find out soon enough.