The Indianapolis Colts are in the home stretch of the process entering the 2019 NFL Draft, which begins Thursday night.
With just a few days before the draft, everyone is making projections as to who the Colts might pick with their nine selections. Instead of using a simulator for the mock draft, this will be a projection as to how the Colts draft will unfold.
Here’s our final full mock draft for the Colts in the NFL Draft:
26. DE Clelin Ferrell, Clemson
If Ferrell’s teammate Christian Wilkins is available, that’s the pick. However, there’s a strong chance he won’t be. Though general manager Chris Ballard doesn’t see the edge as big of a need following the addition of Justin Houston, Ferrell would still be a strong selection in the first round.
An excellent technician with his hands, Ferrell could be limited in terms of upside as a pass rusher given his lack of bend running the arc. Still, he’s an excellent power rusher that could turn into a three-down end with the potential to kick inside.
Ferrell might not be the most exciting pick, but he has the potential to be a starter off the edge succeeding veteran Jabaal Sheard.
34. S Johnathan Abram, Mississippi State
With their first pick of the second round, the Colts go ahead and add a safety that would fit as a strong complement to third-year starter Malik Hooker.
The Colts like to run two-high safety packages the majority of the time, which would allow Abram to work in a half-zone next to Hooker or come down near the line of scrimmage working as a robber and helping against the run. A true enforcer, Abram needs improvement with his ball skills but could end up being a starter.
Abram isn’t the highest-rated safety in the class, but the Colts seem to like him, and there is a strong chance he is their selection at the beginning of the second round.
59. CB Justin Layne, Michigan State
Even though the Colts have their starting trio returning for the 2019 season, some talented depth and potential future starters need to be added. Even though it hasn’t been reported that Layne met with the Colts, he’d be an ideal second-round pick.
Adding Layne to the cornerback room will give the Colts a high-upside prospect that should fit extremely well into the zone scheme. He’s a long corner that has exceptional athletic ability despite not having elite long speed.
Layne has the upside to be a very solid starting cornerback on the boundary for the Colts without them having to give up too much in terms of investment.
89. DL Renell Wren, Arizona State
Most have the Colts pegged taking a three-technique defensive tackle in the first round or even the early second round. That’s entirely possible given how the board shapes up, but they could wait until the end of Day 3 to grab Wren.
Wren has a lot of upside to be a solid pass rusher from the interior, which is something the Colts need to begin looking at in terms of future assets. He has an explosive first step off the ball, which could help him be a productive pass rusher.
Getting pressure from the interior is more vital now than ever, and Wren can be a solid rotational piece on the interior while working on his pass rush regimen behind Margus Hunt and Denico Autry.
129. WR Miles Boykin, Notre Dame
Fans and even some analysts expect the Colts to address the wide receiver position earlier than Day 3. However, given Ballard’s comments in addition to his history, it is more likely they wait to grab a high-upside prospect.
There might not be a more exciting prospect in terms of potential than Boykin. The Fighting Irish product has an exceptional blend of size, speed and athleticism. There are inconsistencies on tape, but ones that can be coached and molded.
Boykin would be a steal in the fourth round if the Colts are able to tap into his potential while using his athleticism and speed on the outside. Figuring out how to beat press coverage will be an objective, but the Colts can find ways to get him into a productive role.
135. OL Kaleb McGary, Washington
It isn’t at all clear where McGary will go. Some have him pegged as a solid Day 3 pick while others see a team taking him during the earlier rounds of the draft. The Colts have met with McGary and could have interest in taking him as a project on Day 3 if he’s there.
A move inside might be in McGary’s best interest. There will be technical issues the Colts will need to work through, but that’s why they brought in two brand new offensive line coaches whose expertise is developing rather than motivating.
McGary would work well with the Colts inside, especially when it comes to run blocking where he can use his strength and athleticism.
164. RB Alexander Mattison, Boise State
Despite constantly praising the running back room this offseason, the Colts have been actively looking for additions to the backfield. Mattison is a prospect the Colts have reportedly shown interest in and could be a Day 3 selection.
Though his play style isn’t that of a Robert Turbin, Mattison does have the size and frame to handle grinding between-the-tackles work. This could be a role the Colts might use him for, especially when it comes to goal-line and short third down attempts.
Mattison doesn’t possess long speed, but he has the versatility and the size to carve out a role in the backfield rotation behind Marlon Mack.
199. TE Foster Moreau, LSU
Adding to the tight end room is far from a need for the Colts, but they have harped on the fact that they are not afraid to add to a strength. Moreau isn’t an exciting prospect, but he is one that could eventually carve out a versatile role similar to Jack Doyle.
He doesn’t offer a whole lot as a pass catcher, but he could find his work as a short and intermediate target when called upon. His strength comes in blocking, which is an aspect the Colts emphasize with their tight ends.
Moreau won’t be highly regarded due to his lack of upside as a receiver, but he can still carve out a productive NFL career working as a blocking tight end with the occasional receiving assignments.
240. CB Ka’dar Hollman, Toledo
A very raw cornerback, Hollman is likely a seventh-round pick or a priority undrafted free agent. Despite his unrefined work, he is an exceptional athlete that could turn into a solid contributor both as a boundary and slot corner.
Hollman reportedly met with the Colts, which means he’s likely on their radar. With the lack of depth in the cornerback room behind the starting trio, a high-upside project in Hollman added.
