Mason Thompson | March 3rd, 2020
The Indianapolis Colts have been a team that has drafted great the last few years with Malik Hooker, Quenton Nelson, Darius Leonard, and Rock Ya-Sin carving out roles as starters. Chris Ballard has built this team from the bottom up and it showed before the sudden retirement of Andrew Luck before the beginning of the regular season. Jacoby Brissett had some solid moments but the team will look to add another quarterback via free agency or the draft if not both.
This mock was done with the belief that the team signs Philip Rivers in free agency. I identified the Colts’ top needs as wide receiver, interior defensive line, edge rusher, and safety.
To help with this mock, I used the Fanspeak Mock Draft Simulator.
Make sure to check out all of our other NFL team mock drafts here.
Round 1, Pick 13: Javon Kinlaw, DL, South Carolina
While everyone is talking about Derrick Brown being the best interior defensive lineman in the class, Kinlaw isn’t far behind. He’s extremely explosive and will be a menace for the Colts defense. This position is the team’s biggest need and starters, Grover Stewart and Denico Autry are free agents after the 2020 season. Kinlaw would easily push both out of the way and start from day one for the Colts.
Round 2, Pick 34: Josh Uche, EDGE, Michigan
Jabaal Sheard is a free agent and Justin Houston didn’t provide much of a spark. Uche is similar to former Michigan teammate Rashan Gary in the fact that he didn’t show much production during his college career. Ballard will like his versatility as he can play anywhere as an edge rusher while also being able to drop back into coverage.
Round 2, Pick 44: KJ Hamler, WR, Penn State
The receiver class has shifted a lot after the combine and Hamler could easily be gone at this spot. The Colts need a speedster opposite T.Y. Hilton and Parris Campbell could be that guy but was injured for most of the year last year. Hamler is electric and offers an expanded route tree that Rivers would love. He’s the perfect example of a human joystick.
Round 3, Pick 75: Matt Peart, OT, UConn
The Colts were granted great news when they were told left tackle, Anthony Castonzo would be returning for next year. Either way, the team needs to think about the future and they are doing just that by selecting Peart in this spot. He needs development as some teams could seem him as more of a guard than tackle but Indianapolis can make this selection and have him develop behind Castonzo.
Round 4, Pick 119: Jeremy Chinn, S, Southern Illinois
Chinn made the most of his opportunity at the combine this weekend and showed out. He’s extremely athletic and would best be used as a strong safety in Indianapolis. The team has Clayton Geathers as a free agent so Chinn would likely be battling with Khari Willis for the starting role as the safety opposite of Hooker. He can also be used as a sub-linebacker and offers upside with this selection.
Round 5, Pick 160: Zack Moss, RB, Utah
Moss was good value here in the fifth round and this is a good fit for him here in Indianapolis. The Colts interviewed Moss during the combine and with Marlon Mack being a free agent after the 2020 season, this is insurance at the position. He also has great blocking ability as well as having experience with catching balls out of the backfield. He doesn’t have the best athleticism, but teams will like his overall skillset.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5tU24goTDhE
Round 6, Pick 193: Willie Gay Jr., LB, Mississippi State
In a thin linebacker class, Gay made the most of his opportunity at the combine. There aren’t any doubts about his tape as he is one of the best linebackers in the class. The reason he isn’t being talked about is because of the number of red flags he carries. He only played five games in 2019 due to various suspensions, which include academic misconduct. With Anthony Walker being a free agent after the 2020 season, the Colts need to take a look at the linebacker spot.
Round 7, Pick 227: Parnell Motley, CB, Oklahoma
Motley is super competitive but very inconsistent at the cornerback spot. The Colts had an interview with him at the East-West Shrine Game and should take a look at him as a potential nickel cornerback candidate. The Colts swung and missed on Quincy Wilson and his contract is up after the 2020 season. Motley is worth a dart throw here.
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