With still just under three months until the 2021 NFL draft, it is anyone’s guess as to where the Indianapolis Colts will go with their pick in the first round. Even the Colts right now don’t know yet.
We know the Colts have needs at quarterback and left tackle but wide receiver is another position that must get addressed either in free agency or through the draft in April.
The Colts went with the latter in Pro Football Focus’ latest mock draft, taking former Florida wideout Kadarius Toney with the No. 21 overall pick.
21. INDIANAPOLIS COLTS: WR KADARIUS TONEY, FLORIDA
The more glaring needs on offense for Indianapolis are at quarterback and left tackle following the retirement of Philip Rivers and Anthony Castonzo, but continuing to add playmakers should be high in the list of priorities for the Colts, as well. Toney certainly fits that bill.
He isn’t a finished product at wide receiver after serving primarily as a gadget player earlier in his Florida career, but he has all the traits that lead you to believe that he can develop into a polished route-runner. However, you’re drafting Toney for how freakishly elusive he is in the open field, which is highlighted by his 32 broken tackles on 80 catches since 2019. He would give the Colts’ receiving corps some extra juice in an offseason where 31-year-old T.Y. Hilton is scheduled to hit free agency.
For those wondering about the quarterback situation, five prospects went before the Colts could grab one. Even the Lions, who may be a potential trade-up partner for the Colts, took Trey Lance at No. 7.
Thus, this made the Colts go to their next biggest needs. Toney is interesting given his athleticism and skill set to develop in the wide receiver room behind Michael Pittman Jr., Parris Campbell and Zach Pascal (when/if re-signed).
Toney was one of the biggest winners from the Senior Bowl and we all know how much Chris Ballard values that part of the pre-draft process.
All options are on the table for the Colts when it comes to their first-round pick and taking an explosive wide receiver is certainly among them.
