The Indianapolis Colts have less than a month to prepare for their biggest event of the offseason in 2019 NFL Draft where they will be looking to add to the foundation of the roster.
The Colts have nine picks in the draft, which should help further their plan to create depth at several positions. Hitting on those early picks will be vital, especially with four in the top 100.
Here, we conducted a three-round mock draft using The Draft Network’s simulator:
No. 26 overall | Chauncey Gardner-Johnson | S | Florida
Even with the re-signing of Clayton Geathers and Matthias Farley to one-year deals, the Colts need to begin looking at a future piece next to Malik Hooker. There aren’t many safeties worthy of a first-round pick, but Gardner-Johnson certainly is.
A versatile weapon that can line up all over the secondary, Gardner-Johnson would be a perfect fit for the Colts in their zone-heavy scheme that features plenty of two-high looks. He can work a deep half next to Hooker or play near the line of scrimmage giving help to the run.
Gardner-Johnson was easily the best player on the board during this simulation and even though the Colts like the depth in the class, the Florida product would be a perfect addition.
No. 34 overall | Charles Omenihu | DL | Texas
Admittedly, I was hoping Notre Dame’s Jerry Tillery would fall to this spot in the simulation, but he was taken the pick right before. This left Omenihu as one of the top options available.
The Colts seem to love Omenihu’s versatility to work both as a three-technique and as an edge player. He has a build similar to that of Denico Autry and his length is an extremely intriguing case as to why he would work well in the Colts’ one-gap scheme.
Omenihu shows great burst off of the line of scrimmage and uses his length to help put pressure on the quarterback. He can fall right in line to the defensive line rotation working both on the edge and on the interior.
No. 59 overall | Rock Ya-Sin | CB | Temple
A cornerback with plenty of upside, Ya-Sin would be a nice fit for the Colts in their zone-heavy secondary. However, he would be more a development as he only has one year starting in the FBS.
Ya-Sin has enough traits to work as a depth piece for the Colts as the trio of Pierre Desir, Kenny Moore and Quincy Wilson work as the starters. The Temple product is physical at the line of scrimmage and shows a prowess for helping out against the run.
The Colts might wait on a corner given the depth in the draft, but Ya-Sin would be a solid Day 2 pick to help solidify the secondary.
No. 89 overall | Terry McLaurin | WR | Ohio State
The Colts signed Devin Funchess for his upside and they are hoping Deon Cain picks up right where he left off during training camp, but there is little guaranteed in the wide receiver room.
Outside of T.Y. Hilton, the Colts have a list of unproven players with plenty of potential. It’s a group that still needs to be added to during the draft and while they may wait until Day 3, McLaurin presents an option that would be ready to carve out a role immediately.
With quickness at the line of scrimmage and a strong ability after the catch, McLaurin is a big play receiver that would thrive in the Colts offense led by Andrew Luck and Frank Reich.
