The Indianapolis Colts are just two weeks away from the big event they have been waiting for the entire offseason in the 2019 NFL Draft. Who they might take is still unknown, but there are some ideas as to how the first round might unfold.
Of course, no one truly knows what will happen when the draft begins, but we can take educated guesses as to what the options might look like when the Colts are on the clock.
Here are seven realistic first-round options for the Colts in the draft:
DE Clelin Ferrell, Clemson
While Ferrell’s stock was near the top 10 of the first round at the beginning of the draft season, it appears he has fallen towards the middle and back end of the first round entering the final month of the process.
If Ferrell is on the board at No. 26, he would be a fine choice for the Colts. Though he might be limited as a pass rusher given his lack of bend running the arc and inconsistency when converting speed to power, Ferrell is a strong enough pass rusher due to a quick first step and excellent hand usage at contact.
Ferrell’s biggest strength is setting the edge against the run. He might be one of the best in the draft at doing so and given his prototypical size for the end spot, he could be a worthy successor to Jabaal Sheard while he develops his game as a pass rusher.
DL Christian Wilkins, Clemson
Another Clemson product but one that would be the absolute ideal perfect fit, Wilkins is the player the Colts should take over everyone if he is on the board at No. 26. He’s a perfect fit on the field and in the locker with the ability to make an immediate impact.
Though he lacks length working inside, Wilkins makes up for it with quickness, athleticism and the ability to disrupt the pocket with consistency from the shade or the three-technique. His agility is off the charts for a player his size and would immediately compete for a starting role.
Wilkins’ impact would go beyond the field as well. He’s a player that fully buys into the importance of a locker room, which is an aspect that would jump out to the Colts’ brass.
DL Jerry Tillery, Notre Dame
The Colts selecting Tillery at No. 26 seems like a very Ballard-like move. Despite his size, Tillery shows off excellent athleticism to go along with elite length, which he uses often to win on the interior.
Best-suited working from the three-technique, Tillery gets upfield quickly and uses his length to apply pressure from the top of the pocket. His aggressiveness would perfectly match that of the Colts’ one-gap front.
Tillery does show inconsistencies against the run, and there are off-field issues the Colts would need to assure themselves of if Tillery will be a first-round pick. However, if they deem it worthy, Tillery is among the most realistic choices at No. 26.
CB Byron Murphy, Washington
There isn’t one consensus top cornerback in this year’s draft class, but Murphy is among the top options for the Colts to consider if they wanted to add a potential starter to lead the group for many years down the road.
Though Murphy doesn’t hit the length threshold for a cornerback, he makes up for it wonderfully with sticky man coverage, excellent ball skills and short-area quickness that allows him to mirror wide receivers easily.
His 4.55 in the 40-yard dash suggests his long speed could be a concern, which might make him a great fit for the Colts’ zone-heavy scheme. If cornerback is the way the Colts want to go, Murphy would be a solid choice.
WR D.K. Metcalf, Mississippi
I’ve made it known I’m not a huge fan of the Colts taking a wide receiver in Round 1 given the value at other positions and depth of the position later in the draft, but that doesn’t mean the Colts won’t pull the trigger on one.
If there is a wide receiver that would make them pause and consider it, it would most certainly be Metcalf, who is a physical freak that likely has the highest ceiling in the entire draft. A rare combination of size, speed and strength, Metcalf could very well be gone before the Colts are on the clock.
There might be some agility concerns and the fact that he suffered a neck injury are concerns, but if he hits his ceiling, he’ll be well worth a first-round pick.
DL Jeffery Simmons, Mississippi State
One of the most polarizing prospects in the draft, Simmons was one of the top talents on the field and pegged for an early first-round selection before suffering a torn ACL in February. This is the biggest reason he could fall to the Colts in the first round.
There are plenty of reasons to suggest the Colts should wait until the second round to grab him, especially seeing as Simmons won’t be available for the majority of his rookie season. However, if Indy truly feels he’s a difference-maker with All-Pro potential, grabbing him in the first round would allow them to get the extra year on a fifth-year option.
On the field, Simmons is a superb talent that would work extremely well in the Colts’ one-gap front from the three-technique. It might be wiser to wait and hope he falls further, but Simmons will likely get consideration at No. 26.
TE Noah Fant, Iowa
A tight end in the first round? As crazy as it might seem, the Colts would have no issues building on their strength at the tight end position even if it meant passing on a more valuable position.
Fant is one of the top tight ends in the class while bringing an extremely well-rounded game working both as a pass catcher and as an in-line blocker. He has a wonderful blend of size, speed and athleticism that can make him a threat on every down.
Most fans would likely want to see the Colts pass on a tight end in the first round, but if they feel he’s a perfect fit, they are going to consider him.
S Chauncey Gardner-Johnson, Florida
The Colts haven’t been afraid to address the safety position in the first round before and while the depth is strong in the middle rounds, Gardner-Johnson would be an excellent fit next to Malik Hooker.
Extremely versatile, Gardner-Johnson can line up all over the secondary. He can play two-deep, in the slot or work toward the line of scrimmage and help against the run. He can also play a single-high if need be in a pinch.
Play strength and consistent effort are areas the Colts will need to improve with Gardner-Johnson, but he has all of the tools to be a top safety in the NFL.
