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USA Today Sports Media Group

Sport

Kevin Hickey

Colts’ final 7-round mock draft projections with trades

The week is finally here as the Indianapolis Colts put the finishing touches on their prep for the 2020 NFL draft, which is set to begin Thursday night.

Though the Colts won’t be on the clock until Friday unless they make a move up, this week will be all about cleaning everything up and making the final touches before the biggest event of the offseason arrives. The same goes for us as well be making our final predictions for the draft.

Without using a simulator, just good old fashioned projections, here is our final seven-round mock draft for the Colts in the 2020 draft:

Round 2

*Trade the No. 34 pick to the Vikings for Nos. 58 and 89*

Chris Ballard mentioned in his pre-draft conference call that he wants to add more picks. He wasn’t asked about it but still said it unprompted. As he has done in every draft, Ballard will move around and add some picks. Here, the Colts are able to move back later in the second round but add an extra third-round pick. It makes it easier to move this far back having the No. 44 pick already.

No. 44 | Michael Pittman Jr. | WR | USC

After trading back and adding an extra third, the Colts are likely to use one of their second-round picks on a wide receiver. Pittman Jr. is the perfect prospect for the Colts given his size, length and contested-catch ability on the boundary. He wins with physicality and has shown a knack for beating press coverage. He won’t win with pure speed, but he gets enough separation to be a threat downfield and on the intermediate routes as a possession receiver.

With Philip Rivers under center, Pittman Jr. would quickly become a favorite target. Addin that Pittman Jr. understands the NFL life from his father and was a senior captain with the Trojans, this pick makes too much sense.

No. 58 (from MIN) | Josh Uche | EDGE | Michigan

This spot is really tough because there are so many options. They could add a quarterback here or even an offensive tackle but given Ballard’s propensity for adding to the defensive line, I think we see him select and edge piece earlier than expected. With Uche, Ballard would be drafting another strong athlete with the versatility to work on the edge or as a SAM backer.

While he might be a little undersized to be a full-time edge rusher, Uche wins with speed, length and incredible bend when running the arc. He’s twitchy and rangy but has to develop his pass-rushing plan and overall instincts at the position. Seeing that he doesn’t have to start right away, Uche can hone his crafts and become a strong future piece of the front seven while giving the Colts a bendy, speedy rush on sub-packages to start out.

Round 3

No. 75 | Ashtyn Davis | S | California

While the Colts have their starters in Malik Hooker and Khari Willis, a look to the future might be warranted earlier than expected. With the Colts seemingly hesitating on Hooker’s fifth-year option, it could mean they might be looking toward his replacement. Davis would fit that bill nicely and would provide the Colts with depth and a rotational piece early on.

Davis is extremely versatile having lined up in a two-high, single-high and even some slot work at Cal. There is some development that must take place with his reads, but he is a very strong athlete and would be a perfect fit to take over for Hooker if the Colts decide to move—even if they pick up his 2021 option.

No. 89 (from MIN) | Adam Trautman | TE | Dayton

After spending some early picks on defense, the Colts come back to the offensive side to bring in pieces for Philip Rivers. With the new pick from the Vikings, the Colts grab one of the best move tight ends in the draft. Trautman is the perfect prospect for the Colts to work as a flex behind Jack Doyle and Mo Alie-Cox.

Trautman needs some work developing his blocking skills, but he’s a dynamic and explosive athlete as a receiver and would be a strong addition to the tight end room. The level of competition is a bit of a concern, but Trautman won’t have to start right away and would be able to find work as a pass-catcher early on in Frank Reich’s scheme.

Round 4

No. 122 | James Morgan | QB | FIU

The Colts are more than likely going to add a quarterback in this class. It might come early in the second round. It might come on Day 3, but it’s likely to happen. Though there are better prospects than Morgan, he seems to be one of their guys when it comes to potential targets.

Morgan has a big arm and a great frame for the position. He goes through his progressions nicely while showing strong pocket movement and a quick release. He needs to develop his instincts while learning to work under center more and his lack of overall mobility will limit his ceiling. However, Morgan has the traits the Colts like and the leadership qualities necessary to be a developmental project for Reich on Day 3.

There is a lot that Morgan needs to clean up before being ready for the starting role. Fortunately, he will have that time to work behind Philip Rivers and Jacoby Brissett while also learning from Reich. Morgan might not be the prettiest selection, but he’s certainly on the board for the Colts.

Round 5

No. 160 | Hakeem Adeniji | OT | Kansas

The Colts could very well take a tackle earlier than the fifth round. There is no denying that here. But with so much value at other positions being present, the Colts can afford to wait on a high-upside prospect who has strong traits but needs some development.

There are some who believe Adeniji’s size (6’4, 302) and length (33.75″) will force him to move inside, but the Colts’ offensive system might allow him to stay on the edge. He has experience in an RPO offense and has shown the ability to move very well. He can line up at both left tackle and right tackle and has the high character that the Colts like to target in their draft.

With two years to develop behind Anthony Castonzo on the left side, Adeniji would be a fine swing tackle to begin his career while working as a potential starter after Castonzo leaves. He might not be the future on the left side, but he has a chance to be and if he’s not, he can still provide the Colts with strong depth and versatility.

Round 6

No. 193 | Tyrie Cleveland | WR | Florida

If you have been following along to the mock drafts we have done throughout the offseason, it has become clear that Cleveland is one of my favorite late-round targets for the Colts. He’s an explosive athlete who has the seventh-highest SPARQ score in the draft class.

At 6-foot-2 and 209 pounds, Cleveland brings speed (4.46), length (32.88″) and the ability to make plays down the field. Cleveland has to improve his route running and consistency, but he makes for a strong Day 3 pick to compete for a complementary role in the wide receiver room.

No. 197 | McTelvin Agim | IDL | Arkansas

Agim could go earlier than the sixth round, but he has a lot of traits to like for the Colts. Though they don’t need a ton of depth on the interior after adding DeForest Buckner and Sheldon Day, this would be a strong pick on Day 3 to compete with Tyquan Lewis for the final spot at the three-technique.

Agim brings good size to the interior but has the ability to move in the three-technique. A strong athlete with length, Agim can line up at either spot on the defensive interior and has the explosiveness to be a solid addition at the three-technique. He would certainly give Lewis a run for his money as the final interior defender to begin his career.