Continuing our series of full mock drafts for the Indianapolis Colts with the 2019 NFL Draft just three weeks away, the excitement is growing quickly as the big event approaches.
Using The Draft Network’s mock draft machine, the early rounds of this mock draft were a huge success and even though some of the selections admittedly are unlikely to happen, this would be probably be considered one of the top outcomes for the Colts in the draft, give or take a few picks.
Without further ado, here’s our second seven-round mock draft for the Colts:
No. 26 overall: Christian Wilkins, DL, Clemson
The first-round selection doesn’t get much better than Wilkins. He checks nearly all of the boxes for the Colts as a Day 1 pick and would be a player that would step right into a huge role immediately along the defensive front.
Wilkins is a perfect fit for the Colts defense. Being placed in an attacking front such as Indy’s will allow Wilkins to best reach his ceiling as a dominant pass rusher from the interior. He lacks desired length, but he makes up for it with a quick first step, low pad level and unique athleticism for his size.
Not only does Wilkins fit exactly what the Colts do on the field, but he’s also a perfect match for the culture they are trying to build in the locker room. If he’s on the board, there aren’t many players making a better case to be selected.
No. 34 overall: Chauncey Gardner-Johnson, S, Florida
Potentially a first-round pick, Gardner-Johnson fell to the second round in this simulation right into the lap of the Colts. It’s possible for Gardner-Johnson to fall, but his versatility and skill set likely makes him a first-round talent.
Regardless, he was the pick early in the second round here. The Colts need to add young, versatile talent to the safety position as the group currently faces several question marks. Gardner-Johnson would immediately make a case to work opposite Malik Hooker as a starter.
The Florida product has the size, speed and athleticism to play a deep-half zone or work closer the line of scrimmage aiding against the run and working in a robber zone. He can also play the single high in a pinch if need be. Gardner-Johnson will need to show his improvements with effort are real, but he’d be a steal in the second round.
No. 59 overall: Deebo Samuel, WR, South Carolina
This is where things begin to get a little unrealistic. Although, no one truly knows what will happen during the draft. Players fall all the time, and Samuel did with the Colts’ second pick in the second round.
A reliable pass catcher working mainly from the slot who gets clean releases while making the most of his chances after the catch, Samuel is a fine fit as a versatile piece in the Colts offense. He might be relegated to the slot the majority of his snaps, but he can have a real impact quickly.
He’s dealt with some injury issues, which could cause him to fall, but Samuel is a prospect that would work immediately into the rotation in the wide receiver corps while likely becoming the top return man on special teams.
No. 89 overall: Isaiah Johnson, CB, Houston
This is the pick that likely won’t be close to happening toward the end of Day 2. Johnson’s elite athleticism alone will make him a priority top-50 pick in the draft. However, we can only work with what the simulation gave us, and he was the easy choice here.
The Colts have some depth at the top of the position, but Johnson would be a player that would benefit from some development time as a role player to begin his career. Still, his ceiling could be as high as any defensive back’s in the class.
An impressive combination of size, speed, length and athleticism, Johnson thrives in press and would be a fantastic addition to the secondary.
No. 129 overall: Alex Bars, IOL, Notre Dame
While the Colts may have their starting five set to begin the offseason, there will always be an emphasis on the offensive line. There’s a chance the Colts look to add depth earlier in the draft, but we decided against it in this simulation.
Bars would be a nice addition to the Colts offensive line given his versatility to work on the inside at both right and left guard. He’s a strong puller that would thrive in the blocking scheme Frank Reich likes to run.
The Colts like to have an abundance of depth on the offensive line, and there is currently a scarcity of that on the interior. Bars would be a fine addition to the offensive line, especially if he’s given time to develop.
No. 135 overall: Daylon Mack, DL, Texas A&M
There is a good chance the Colts double-dip during the draft addressing the interior defensive line. Outside of Denico Autry, Margus Hunt and Tyquan Lewis, the Colts could use some depth on the interior.
While Mack doesn’t offer a whole lot as a penetrating pass rusher, he does have immense potential to find a home working at the nose or shade positions. He has a wonderful combination of size and strength to work as a run stuffer and likely would give Grover Stewart and Hassan Ridgeway a run for their money.
Mack is likely best suited to work on early downs against the run, but he’s a strong asset to have working the interior, especially with how often the Colts like to run stunts and twists.
No. 164 overall: Foster Moreau, TE, LSU
The Colts don’t have a need to add to the tight end room. It is arguably their deepest position on the roster, but that won’t stop Chris Ballard from adding a piece he thinks could help the unit down the line.
Moreau isn’t going to become a Travis Kelce in terms of pass-catching, but he could turn into a versatile piece for the Colts working in a role similar to Jack Doyle, whose current contract expires after 2019. He’s a sound blocker that can line up on the line of scrimmage or in the backfield.
He has the right attitude to fit right into the Colts locker room while potentially becoming a versatile piece on the field.
No. 199 overall: Malik Gant, S, Marshall
Being undeniable thin at the safety position, this is also a spot the Colts could burn two picks on. Gant wouldn’t be a player that steps immediately into a starting role or even one that has a big part in the rotation, especially if a prospect like Gardner-Johnson is already there.
However, Gant does bring a high motor and the desired tackling ability and effort the Colts like. He would thrive early on special teams while working as a run defender near the line of scrimmage on defense.
He has some range in the defensive backfield, but he isn’t a player that should be trusted to hold a single-high role. Gant has solid size and athleticism to go along with strong run defense and hard hits.
No. 240 overall: Malik Reed, EDGE, Nevada
Even with the Justin Houston signing, the Colts are likely in need of adding to the edge. Admittedly, it will probably come at a much earlier time than the seventh round. However, the time never felt right during this simulation as most of the situations felt like a reach.
Still, Reed could come in and work on special teams while finding his fit in the Colts defense. He fits exactly what the Colts want in terms of presence in the locker room. He’s an extremely strong leader that puts the team first.
It isn’t clear where Reed fits in the Colts defense as a pass rusher. He might be too small to work as a defensive end, but could find work early on special teams while providing depth in the front seven rotation.
