The Indianapolis Colts have entered the month of April, which means the 2020 NFL draft is right around the corner—and a new crop of rookies is set to arrive in Indy.
While we still don’t have a true idea of how the Colts will go about their draft, some of the moves in free agency point toward a certain approach when they are on the clock on Day 2.
After heavily addressing the defense in free agency, here’s a look at a mock draft for the Colts entering the month of April using The Draft Network’s mock draft simulator:
No. 34 | Ezra Cleveland | OT | Boise State
Cleveland already has ties to the Colts in the pre-draft process. He’s had contact with the Colts even though meetings are prohibited in person. Even with Anthony Castonzo returning, Cleveland would be the perfect eventual successor on the left side.
What intrigues Cleveland the most in going to the Colts is his technique on the outside. He’s very proficient in run blocking and has that aggressive, mauler attitude that the Colts love in their offensive linemen.
Couple in the fact that he’s an excellent athlete and he seems like the perfect offensive line prospect in the draft for Indy.
No. 44 | Brandon Aiyuk | WR | Arizona State
The Colts really like their wide receiver room with T.Y. Hilton and Zach Pascal leading the way, but even they know additions have to be made. Using one of their second-round picks seems to be the way it’s heading and depending on which prospects are on the board, an argument could be made that Ballard uses the No. 34 pick at this position.
Aiyuk is an intriguing prospect for the Colts given what he can do in the open field. I was tempted to go with Michael Pittman out of USC here because the Colts desperately need an X-receiver. But, Aiyuk’s skill set is better suited to have an immediate impact in the offense.
Aiyuk is a big-play threat every time he touches the ball. He can stretch the field vertically or make things happen underneath. He’s a very intriguing prospect with Philip Rivers under center.
No. 75 | Michael Ojemudia | CB | Iowa
Some might believe this is a little early for Ojemudia, and that is completely understandable. But we’ve seen Ballard take players earlier than their projections if he believes they fit perfectly for the scheme (Darius Leonard, Braden Smith).
Ojemudia checks a lot of boxes for Ballard, especially when it comes to the cornerback position. He is strong in zone coverage, went to the Senior Bowl, has a willingness to work in the run game and meets the arm length threshold the Colts like (32.25 inches).
The Colts wouldn’t have to start Ojemudia right away with Xavier Rhodes on the boundary, but he would be a strong duo with Rock Ya-Sin once he’s ready to start.
No. 122 | James Morgan | QB | FIU
A lot of people will scoff at the Colts waiting until the fourth round to take a quarterback. They could trade up for a player like Jordan Love, but he’s unlikely to be in the range of where they would actually make a move. After addressing big needs elsewhere, Morgan is the perfect Day 3 quarterback prospect they could target.
Morgan has the size, intelligence and willingness to stand in the pocket and make big throws. There are certainly areas of development that the Colts will have to focus on but when considering his upside with arm talent, the intangibles and his willingness to throw downfield, Morgan is a great prospect to learn under Frank Reich and Philip Rivers.
No. 160 | D.J. Wonnum | EDGE | South Carolina
With improvements made to the interior defensive line, the Colts are expected to see a massive jump in production up front. There is a lot of promise on the edge as well with Justin Houston, Kemoko Turay and Ben Banogu, but another addition should be made at some point in the draft.
Wonnum is an intriguing prospect for the Colts and one they are likely targeting because of his bend around the edge. He runs the arc with extreme flexibility. His 7.25 in the three-cone drill was the third-highest among defensive linemen at the NFL combine, showing just how quickly he can change direction and get upfield.
Wonnum has to make a better plan as a pass rusher, but he has the length, explosiveness and bend to be a strong Day 3 pick.
No. 193 | Joshua Kelley | RB | UCLA
The running back position isn’t high on the draft board for the Colts because the trio of Marlon Mack, Nyheim Hines and Jordan Wilkins. But the room could use another addition, and Kelley is an interest prospect in the sixth round.
He wouldn’t hold a major role in the offense. He’d likely just see time on special teams to begin, but he’s a physical running back who loves to get downfield. He’s a solid complementary back and one that could fit nicely in a depth role.
No. 197 | Stephen Sullivan | TE | LSU
Imagine this. The Colts come out in a heavy package with three tight ends. One is Jack Doyle. The other is Mo Alie-Cox, who has a wingspan of 85 inches. Then comes Sullivan, who has a wingspan of 85 1/8 inches.
Sullivan is a very intriguing prospect for the Colts given what he can provide as a mismatch player. He’s explosive and has even shown the ability to have some impressive speed with a 4.66 in the 40-yard dash. He certainly needs development but would be an awesome addition as a depth piece in the tight end room.
