The Indianapolis Colts were active in re-signing their own this free agency period while sprinkling in some from other teams. Marlon Mack, Xavier Rhodes, T.Y. Hilton, Joey Hunt, and Al-Quadin Muhammad are returning to the Colts in 2020. Chris Ballard brought in reinforcements along the offensive line following Anthony Castonzo‘s retirement by adding Sam Tevi, Julien Davenport, and Chris Reed. Tevi and Davenport didn’t serve well in the starting lineups they were a part of over the last few years, while Reed provides great depth on the interior of the offensive line.
The needs for Indianapolis haven’t changed much since the beginning of free agency. The additions of Tevi and Davenport don’t dismiss the need for a new left tackle in round one, and bringing back Rhodes shouldn’t make the Colts not think about cornerback early.
To help with this mock draft, I used The Draft Network’s mock draft simulator.
Make sure to check out all of our other NFL Team Mock Drafts.
Round 1, Pick 21: Dillon Radunz, OT, North Dakota State
The realistic option in the first round is for Indianapolis to trade down and get a third-round pick in return. Unfortunately, we can’t do so here. Radunz feels like a Colt and would be a great fit in Indianapolis and would make for a feel-good story as he would be the blindside blocker for Carson Wentz. Radunz is one of the more underrated tackles in the class and would immediately start at left tackle in Week 1.
For more on Radunz, read our scouting report on him here.
Round 2, Pick 54: Asante Samuel Jr, CB, Florida State
Samuel will likely go much higher than this. In the case that cornerbacks start to fall due to other positions getting pushed up the board, Samuel would be a great fit and replacement for Rhodes. Rock Ya-Sin also hasn’t worked out like Indianapolis hoped when they took him 33rd overall a few years ago. Behind Ya-Sin and Rhodes, Indianapolis lacks depth on the boundary and needs to find help by adding a player or two in the draft.
For more on Samuel, read our scouting report on him here.
Round 4, Pick 127: Patrick Jones II, EDGE, Pittsburgh
Justin Houston was one of the best pass-rushers Indianapolis had, and he hasn’t returned. The Colts added Isaac Rochell, but adding a younger option is needed to pair with Tyquan Lewis and Ben Banogu, who need to develop more. Jones is an excellent option as a 4-3 end and rose his stock with a great Senior Bowl week.
Round 5, Pick 165: Anthony Schwartz, WR, Auburn
Schwartz remains in this mock after being one of the selections in the edition before free agency. He will likely be the replacement for Hilton following the 2021 season when Hilton goes elsewhere or retires. Schwartz offers a similar skillset to Hilton, and getting him in the fifth round is a steal, thanks to the depth in the receiver class.
For more on Schwartz, read our scouting report on him here.
Round 6: Pick 206: Tay Gowan, CB, UCF
As pointed out earlier, the Colts need to add reinforcements to their cornerback room. Gowan was once one of the best cornerbacks in the game but has suffered a significant fall once he opted out of the 2020 season. He was part of one of the best secondaries in college football that included him, Aaron Robinson, and Richie Grant.
Round 7: Pick 248: Grant Stuard, LB, Houston
Ballard loves taking chances on players in the later rounds that can produce on special teams. Last year, he took Jordan Glasgow, and now he takes another linebacker that was a stud on special teams in Stuard. He was a menace at the Senior Bowl and almost blocked punts at the Senior Bowl when you’re not even supposed to. Taking late-round linebackers is a Ballard specialty.
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