We finally made it, everyone. The NFL Draft starts today, and my final 7-round predictive mock draft is here. Using all my sources across the league, I’ve submitted three mock drafts of players I have personally been told the Colts have interest in and could become future Colts. I hope you enjoy the draft week, and I can’t wait to hear your thoughts on the draft. If you’ve missed my past two mocks, click below to see the other prospects included in the series.
Round 2:
Pick 42: Skyy Moore, WR, Western Michigan
I know, I know. Moore is smaller than the WR the Ballard-led Colts usually go for (only 5’10) but trust me; he makes up for it elsewhere. Moore is one of the best WRs in the class off the line of scrimmage. Moore uses his speed and route running to create pretty consistent separation. I don’t know about you, but I’m ready to be able to talk about a Colts WR and use the phrase “consistent separation” without talking about the lack thereof. Moore would add an element to the WR room the offense has been missing since TY started his regression. If Moore is there at 42, my sources have told me he will be in heavy consideration to be the selection, and I believe he could be a day one starter in either the Z or Y role for the Colts offense this upcoming season.
Round 3:
TRADE:
Colts send pick 3.73 to the Giants for 3.81 & 4.112
Pick 81: Zyon McCollum, CB, Sam Houston State
There are very few players in this year’s draft that have improved their draft stock more than Sam Houston State’s Zyon McCollum. McCollum flat-out destroyed the combine. McCollum ended up with the 3rd fastest 40 (4.33), 2nd highest vertical (39.5), and the farthest broad jump (11’0) for all the corners who performed. Which corners have performed well at the combine, but very few are also 6’2 with 30 3/4” arms. Zyon projects as one of the more obvious fits for the Colts at the corner when looking at past corners Ballard and co. have targeted in the draft. McCollum would be able to learn from vets Stephon Gilmore and Kenny Moore and wouldn’t have to play right away with the Colts having a lot of faith in 3rd-year corner Isaiah Rodgers.
Round 4:
Pick 112: Kerby Joseph, S, Illinois
Joseph is one of the most intriguing safety prospects in this entire class. Coming off his best, and frankly only, productive season in college, Joseph finally showed the ability to use his athleticism to be a productive safety. The question is has he figured it out or was it the outlier. Joseph projects as a FS at the next level who uses his athleticism and instincts to bait QBs into mistakes. The Colts have a solid S room with Willis, Blackmon, and the newly added McLeod. Adding depth behind them would be a smart investment for Indy, though, with all three starters in the past two years having missed games due to injury at some point. Nevertheless, I believe Joseph could be a solid depth FS at the next level with the chance at developing into a legit starter.
Pick 122: Tyquan Thornton, WR, Baylor
Thorton possesses one of the best unteachable traits a prospect can have: SPEED. Thorton ended up with the fastest 40 in this year’s class at 4.28. Add in measuring out at 6’2, and you’re probably wondering how he could be a day 3 prospect. Thorton is very slim for his size, weighing in at 181lbs. With that, he also has pretty small hands (I know you are probably over hearing about hand size), measuring in at about 8 1/4 inches. So he may not be someone to target for your 50/50 ball opportunities. On the other hand, Thorton showed excellent hands this past year, only having three drops the entire season on 98 targets. In college, he was used in an X WR role for the most part, but I believe in skillset will line him up to be used in the Z or possibly even big Y role at the next level.
Round 5:
Pick 159: Cole Turner, TE, Nevada
Waiting till day 3 to take a TE may upset some fans, but I believe it may make the most sense. The team has Allie-Cox back in the fold after signing him to an extension this offseason, and they expect 2nd-year TE Kylen Granson to get a shot at some of the available snaps. So why not aim for a high-potential WR option TE on day 3? Turner fits that bill to a tee. Coming off his best collegiate season, Turner put up 677 yards and 10 touchdowns with 62 catches. When watching the film on QB Carson Strong this offseason, my eyes kept gravitating towards Turner, who is hare to miss at 6’6 250lbs. Turner projects as a solid red-zone threat who will need to develop his route tree to become a real problem at the next level.
Pick 179: Matt Waletzko, OT, North Dakota
Waletzko is one of my favorite day 3 prospects in the entire class and is one the Colts have had multiple conversations with this draft cycle. He is a large framed tackle at 6’7 315lbs, whose arm length may be his biggest asset. He is a good athlete for his size, grading out with a 9.96 RAS. Waletzko needs to build strength to succeed in a full-time starter role at the next level. I envision his first season will primarily be spent in the weight room and bettering his craft with the bigger body he hopefully can build. If he’s able to do so, I think Waletzko can be one of the biggest steals in the entire draft.
Round 6:
Pick 216: Micah McFadden, LB, Indiana
*Incoming “HOMER” comments for me taking an IU player, and I will take it on the chin with a smile.* McFadden, to me, screams a Ballard day 3 LB. He has an impeccable work ethic, and I believe can be an elite special teamer at the next level. If a coach can use his raw pass rush skills already in place and further mold them, I think there’s an impactful LB at the next level in McFadden.
Round 7:
Pick 240: Cade Mays, OG/OT, Tennessee
I can’t leave the draft without taking a versatile lineman. Personally, I see May’s most successful position at the next level as G. His overall strength could help him be a successful spot starter at G in the run game who will need a lot of coaching to be on the field in an intensive role. I’m not sure there’s a better place for Mays to learn the ropes and develop than Indy, with three Pro Bowl linemen already in place.
