With the NFL combine now having come and gone, the Indianapolis Colts will look forward to free agency next week, but the work for the 2019 NFL Draft is still full speed ahead.
Free agency will have a lot to say in how the Colts go about their business in April’s draft, but we can still take a look at a mock draft to see how general manager Chris Ballard and the front office might look to add young talent to the roster.
Using Fanspeak’s mock draft tool, here’s a post-combine four-round mock draft:
No. 26 overall | Chauncey Gardner-Johnson | S | Florida
There was a chance Gardner-Johnson entered the combine as the top safety in the draft. There is an even bigger chance he solidified his spot atop the list after crushing his outing and interviews in Indianapolis.
Even if the Colts wind up signing a blue-chip free agent like Landon Collins, the prospect of taking Gardner-Johnson is still on the table. With most of the edge rushers gone at the time, the pick here gives the Colts a versatile weapon on the defensive side of the ball.
Not only did Gardner-Johnson show he’s an incredible athlete, but he has also shown the ability to be extremely versatile lining up as a deep-half safety while also working in the box and in the slot.
No. 34 overall | Charles Omenihu | EDGE | Texas
It remains to be seen where teams will value Omenihu, but the Texas product has the size and flexibility to work from the edge while also having the burst and leverage to work from the interior.
Omenihu didn’t blow up the combine with spectacular numbers. However, he’s a solid fit for the Colts in their one-gap front. His burst, length and hand usage to go along with his versatility makes him a solid fit for the Colts’ emerging pass rush.
Regardless of how the Colts address the pass rush in free agency, Omenihu is a target on Day 2 for Ballard.
No. 59 overall | Amani Oruwariye | CB | Penn State
Another player whose stock rose thanks to a strong combine outing, Oruwariye was already one of the favorites pegged as a fit for the Colts zone-heavy scheme.
Showing off strong athleticism, Oruwariye also has admirable size, length and strength to win at the line of scrimmage. Even for his size, Oruwariye shows strong body control and a high football IQ.
If the Colts wind up snagging the Penn State product early on Day 2, consider it a win.
No. 89 overall | Emanuel Hall | WR | Missouri
Though he’s still nursing a groin injury, Hall helped his stock with an explosive combine outing. He could be exactly what the Colts look in a wide receiver prospect if they decide to wait until late Day 2.
With a 4.40 in the 40-yard dash and a 11’9 broad jump, Hall showed off his ideal explosion and athleticism. That, along with his size and ability to take the top off the defense, could make him a popular Day 2 pick.
The Colts need depth at the wide receiver position, and Hall showed that he is likely one of the mid to late-round prospects Indy might target given his upside and athleticism.
No. 129 overall | Kaden Smith | TE | Stanford
Even after having one of the best tight end rooms in the NFL during the 2018 season, the Colts could still be looking to add some younger depth to the position.
Smith is a very raw tight end in terms of his route running, but he’s the kind of athletic pass catcher the Colts might like to target as a prospect with upside. His athleticism and size make him an intriguing Day 3 pick to add to an already strong room.
His technique needs to be refined, but Smith might be someone the Colts look to take on Day 3 as a developmental prospect with upside.
No. 135 overall | Demarcus Christmas | DL | Florida State
Adding some depth to the interior defensive line is something the Colts are looking to do this offseason. It could be addressed earlier in the draft but should they look to the Day 3 prospects, Christmas is an intriguing option.
Christmas doesn’t have much of an explosive get-off, but he does have strong hands and an ability to anchor against the run. He’s very raw when it comes to his pass-rushing repertoire and is likely limited in that aspect, but he’s a solid depth add on Day 3 to work the one-technique.
