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USA Today Sports Media Group
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Kevin Hickey

2024 mock draft roundup 4.0: Experts predict Colts’ selection

The Indianapolis Colts are fully in offseason mode preparing for free agency and the 2024 NFL draft as the NFL Scouting Combine came and went last week.

Currently holding the No. 15 overall pick in the draft, the Colts have several ways they can go about using the selection. They could focus on finding explosive weapons for quarterback Anthony Richardson or decide to add some much-needed depth and upside to the defensive side of the ball.

As the offseason progresses, we will round up the most recent mock drafts to see who the experts believe the Colts should or will take when they are on the clock at the end of April.

We also conducted a full, seven-round mock draft for the Colts following the combine.

Here's our fourth mock draft roundup for the Colts of the 2024 offseason. You can check out the previous iterations below:

Touchdown Wire

Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

    The Pick: WR Troy Franklin, Oregon
    Mock Draft Date: March 3
    Author: Doug Farrar
    Link to Mock Draft

    Author’s Take: N/A

    Draft Wire

    Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports

    The Pick: DB Cooper DeJean, Iowa
    Mock Draft Date: March 4
    Author: Curt Popejoy
    Link to Mock Draft

    Author’s Take: “We had hoped to see DeJean work out at the combine but he says he will be ready at the Iowa pro day. We are keeping him here at this point but that workout could impact his draft stock in a big way.”

    USA TODAY

    Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

    The Pick: CB Quinyon Mitchell, Toledo
    Mock Draft Date: March 4
    Author: Nate Davis
    Link to Mock Draft

    Author’s Take: “He’s got size (6-0, 195), blazing speed (4.33 40 time) and ball skills, two of his six interceptions over the past two seasons turned into pick-sixes. And Indy could use help at corner, especially if Pro Bowl nickel Kenny Moore II signs elsewhere.”

    ESPN

    (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

    The Pick: CB Terrion Arnold, Alabama
    Mock Draft Date: March 5
    Author: Jordan Reid
    Link to Mock Draft

    Author’s Take: “The already young Colts cornerback room has JuJu Brents and Jaylon Jones in the fold, but Arnold has way more upside. Nickel corner Kenny Moore II might be hitting free agency, and Arnold could fill the void in the slot in the short term before eventually transitioning outside — he has experience at all secondary positions. A smooth coverman and consistent tackler, Arnold has traits the Colts have sought in the past, and he comes into the NFL off a five-interception season.”

    The Athletic

    Matthew Hinton-USA TODAY Sports

    The Pick: WR Brian Thomas Jr., LSU
    Mock Draft Date: March 5
    Author: Dane Brugler
    Link to Mock Draft

    Author’s Take: “Although the Colts have made it clear that Michael Pittman Jr. isn't going anywhere, they'll be looking for ways to upgrade on the outside for QB Anthony Richardson. At 6-foot-3 and 209 pounds, Thomas is a premier athlete (4.33 40-yard dash) and a better route runner than most think.”

    Pro Football Focus

    Ken Ruinard-USA TODAY Sports

    The Pick: CB Nate Wiggins, Clemson
    Mock Draft Date: March 4
    Author: Gordon McGuiness
    Link to Mock Draft

    Author’s Take: “Wiggins will likely compete with Arnold and DeJean to be the top cornerback drafted, and the Colts should be happy to land any of the three with the 15th pick in this draft. Wiggins allowed just 18 receptions across 293 coverage snaps in 2023.”

    Bleacher Report

    Joshua L. Jones/USA TODAY NETWORK

    The Pick: TE Brock Bowers, Georgia
    Mock Draft Date: March 5
    Author: B/R NFL Scouting Department
    Link to Mock Draft

    Author’s Take: “This selection seems counterintuitive since Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard is always looking to draft elite traits. More often than not, those elite traits trend toward the biggest and fastest athletes.

    Georgia’s Brock Bowers certainly isn’t the biggest or fastest prospect. But he just might be the best tight end prospect of all time, considering he was the Georgia Bulldogs’ leading receiver for three straight seasons, won two national championships, earned a pair of John Mackey awards and generally dominated as one of college football’s best targets.

    This particular fit for Shane Steichen’s offense, while helping in Anthony Richardson’s development, is simply mouth-watering.

    “If the Colts lean into becoming a truly explosive offense, Bowers is a dream selection,” Derrik Klassen said. “At 6’3” and 243 pounds, Bowers isn’t going to wow anyone with size or blocking prowess, but he’s a truly special pass-catcher.

    “Before the catch, Bowers shows the route-running savvy and powerful strides you want to see. His long arms (32¾”) and high-end ball skills help him bring those passes in. Once Bowers has the ball, watch out. The tight end’s blend of speed, agility, balance and vision will immediately make him one of the scariest YAC threats in the league, regardless of position.”

    NFL.com

    Syndication: Online Athens

    The Pick: TE Brock Bowers, Georgia
    Mock Draft Date: March 4
    Author: Lance Zierlein
    Link to Mock Draft

    Author’s Take: “Bowers didn’t work out at the combine, so there won’t be much new buzz about him, but he’s highly regarded in team circles. In fact, there is a belief within those circles that he’ll be gone before this spot. In my mock, though, he’s still available — so, you’re welcome, Anthony Richardson and Shane Steichen.”

    CBS Sports

    Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

    The Pick: CB Terrion Arnold, Alabama
    Mock Draft Date: March 4
    Author: Ryan Wilson
    Link to Mock Draft

    Author’s Take: “There is no one in this draft class who is more driven to be great than Terrion Arnold, and I don’t say that lightly. My co-host on the “With the First Pick” podcast, former Vikings GM Rick Spielman, talked to Arnold after the Tennessee game last fall — the game where Arnold was benched — and told him a lot had to change if he was going to enter the draft. Arnold took it to heart, wrote down every word, and made a promise to Spielman that he would be a different player the next time they met. Arnold had 4 interceptions over the second half of the 2023 season and could very easily be CB1 in this draft.”

    Sporting News

    Butch Dill-USA TODAY Sports

    The Pick: CB Terrion Arnold, Alabama
    Mock Draft Date: March 5
    Author: Vinnie Iyer
    Link to Mock Draft

    Author’s Take: “The Colts have a need for impact coverage outside, regardless of what they do with ace slot man Kenny Moore. Arnold, still just behind Wiggins after the combine, is smooth and agile for his size and can also be a bonus asset vs. the run.”

    The 33rd Team

    Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

    The Pick: CB Terrion Arnold, Alabama
    Mock Draft Date: March 4
    Author: Marcus Mosher
    Link to Mock Draft

    Author’s Take: “The odds of Terrion Arnold falling to No. 15 in the actual NFL draft are next to zero. He is the best cornerback prospect in the class and can play in the slot and outside. But because of how this mock fell, he is available to Chris Ballard and the Indianapolis Colts. They have needed cornerback help for some time, and Arnold would be a dream selection here in Round 1.”

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