The Indianapolis Colts are set to enter the second day of the 2019 NFL Draft after moving back in the first round on Thursday. They now have four selections on Day 2 following the trade with the Washington Redskins.
The Colts find themselves with three second-round picks (Nos. 34, 46 and 59) to go along with their third-round pick (No. 89). They have several ways they can go about making their selections on Friday.
Here’s our crack at projecting their picks on Day 2:
*41. EDGE Chase Winovich, Michigan
Yes, the Colts currently hold the No. 34 pick, but there is a very high chance they trade out given the value of the spot they currently hold. Here, we are projecting a trade with the Denver Broncos, who could be looking to get quarterback Drew Lock. Colts get the Broncos’ fourth-round pick (No. 125)
Even moving back seven spots, the Colts get a prospect that checks all of the boxes they are looking for both on and off the field. Winovich brings a high motor and excellent burst off the ball to get to the quarterback. He’s a stellar technician with his hands and when using leverage.
Winovich would be able to step right into the rotation for the Colts and work as a pass rusher from the edge. He isn’t the most athletic or bendy edge rusher, but he’s the type of player Indy is looking for.
46. S Chauncey Gardner-Johnson, Florida
With the pick the Colts moved back to in the trade with the Redskins on Thursday, the Colts wind up taking a safety in Gardner-Johnson that would be a strong complement to that of Malik Hooker.
With Gardner-Johnson’s versatility, the Colts could use him next to Hooker as a deep-half safety, in the slot to cover tight ends or work near the line of scrimmage to help against the run. Gardner-Johnson checks all of the boxes for the Colts on the field even as a blitzer.
It remains to be seen how high the Colts value the safety class, but they would be able to use Gardner-Johnson in a variety of ways.
59. OT Yodny Cajuste, West Virginia
There’s a chance the Colts go offensive line much earlier but with the trade back with the Broncos, the top guys in Cody Ford and Dalton Risner are likely off the board. Cajuste, who would be somewhat of a project, could be the future left tackle after Anthony Castonzo.
Cajuste has the frame and length to serve well as a starting left tackle. He’s athletic and has shown an ability to get to the second level, identify his target and make the block. However, his technique and footwork needs major improvement.
Fortunately for the Colts, that’s why they brought in Howard Mudd and Chris Strausser. The former was a big part of the unit’s success during the Peyton Manning era while Strausser has been known as more of a teacher rather than a motivator.
It’s not a flashy pick, but it is one that could work out very well in the long term.
89. DL Renell Wren, Arizona State
The Colts have a need to address the interior defensive line and while some believe Wren is best suited to work as a nose tackle or a shade, he does have an explosive first step off the ball that could help him work as a three-technique.
Even though Denico Autry and Margus Hunt are the starters followed likely by Tyquan Lewis, who is expected to see more at the three-technique, Wren would be competing with the likes of Grover Stewart, Jihad Ward and Hassan Ridgeway.
Wren is an extremely high upside prospect that needs work as a technician, but he fits what the Colts want schematically while addressing a position of need at the end of Day 3.
