The 2021 NFL Draft is quickly approaching, and the Indianapolis Colts have numerous holes to fill. Many fans have voiced concern over the lack of activity from general manager Chris Ballard in free agency. However, time and time again, we see Ballard silence the doubters as those little-known free agent signings go on to have a far larger impact than the vast majority of the fanbase could foresee.
Another strength of Ballard has been his drafting. Whether it was the legendary 2018 draft class or finding key contributors in nearly every round over the course of his four drafts with the Colts, Chris has completely turned over the old, decrepit roster handed to him by Ryan Grigson. The question now is, when does the building project culminate to a peak and enter a Super Bowl window?
Today I used The Draft Network’s Mock Draft Machine to continue to build a team that can win for a long time here in Indy. I focused heavily on players that fit the archetype Chris Ballard generally goes for, athletic, high character, Senior Bowl attendees, and team captains. My 7 round mock draft yielded the following results:
Round 1
Trade-
Colts receive pick Nos: 28, 98, 133, 229
Saints receive pick No: 21
There were some pretty intriguing prospects still on the board here at 21, but I couldn’t resist (and as I’m sure you’re aware, Ballard probably also wouldn’t) the temptation to trade back here. The machine considers past tendencies, so the Saints being aggressive here isn’t too surprising. The trade value chart even has this as a relatively even swap, so we’ll take it. But what would a Colts mock draft be without another…..
Trade-
Colts receive pick Nos: 32, 95
Buccaneers receive pick No: 28
Yes, I will admit Kwity Paye was on the board here, and yes, it took a lot of willpower not to go with the absolute freak in maize and blue. However, I’m playing the long game here and hoping to get value back with my acquired picks to fill the glaring edge need. Instead, I had my pick of OTs at the back end of the first.
Pick 32: Sam Cosmi OT, Texas
Colt’s Twitter went crazy when Sam Cosmi’s film was seen in the background of a picture taken of Frank Reich and Carson Wentz. While this may have no bearing on the Colts’ thoughts on him as a prospect, I selected Cosmi here at pick 32. An extremely athletic and experienced tackle, Cosmi has all the tools to become a stalwart at left tackle for years to come. His issues lie in his ability to stop bull rushes effectively, so look for the Colts’ strength staff to try and put weight on his lower half to sure up his pass sets when he needs to re-anchor. Cosmi has the potential to be a great Anthony Castonzo replacement.
Round 2
Pick 54: Gregory Rousseau DE, Miami (FL)
Rousseau has seen a huge decline in his stock since opting out of the 2020 college season. He had a fantastic redshirt freshman year, totaling 15.5 sacks, but still has a lot of rawness to his game. We have seen Chris Ballard take athletic, long-armed defensive lineman before, and while the jury is still out on most of them, Rosseau is slightly different in that he has the ability to play any position across the defensive line. Look at this selection as the lower floor in year one, but with a possible All-Pro type of ceiling for someone who could fit the bill to be Denico Autry’s replacement.
Round 3
Pick 95: Tyree Gillespie SAF, Missouri
I believe the Colts may address the safety position earlier than expected. With no real third safety and the uncertainty behind the George Odum situation, the Colts elected to go with the enforcer out of Missouri. He’ll certainly be a huge contributor early on special teams but is also a very sound tackler. According to Kent Platte on Twitter, athletically, Gillespie is above average, scoring an unofficial 7.95u on the RAS. Gillespie is a Senior Bowl player who should be able to step seamlessly into the role of the next man up in the safety room if Khari Willis or Julian Blackmon were to go down.
Pick 98: Victor Dimukeje DE, Duke
Another player who fits the Denico Autry mold, Dimukeje, could slide right in on Week 1 and give the Colts productive snaps, in my opinion. A slightly above-average athlete, Dimukeje was a productive, high motor, 4-year starter for the Blue Devils. He would bring an above-average football IQ along with heavy hands to a Matt Eberflus defense that desperately needs bodies at the defensive end position.
Round 4
Pick 127: Kenny Yeboah TE, Ole Miss
Yes, I’ve heard your screams for a pass catcher this entire time. Kenny Yeboah is that and more as a potential steal of a move “F” tight end. His dynamic ability to make plays over the middle makes him an ideal target for Carson Wentz, who loves throwing seam routes to big-bodied receivers. Yeboah isn’t going to be outrunning DB’s to the end zone, but he has enough functional athleticism to beat linebackers in space and box out smaller defenders for the ball.
Pick 133: Ambry Thomas CB, Michigan
I believe drafting a cornerback in every draft allows you to keep one of football’s hardest position groups fresh with new, young talent. Thomas is one of “my guys” over this draft cycle. He is a Senior Bowl player who opted out of this past season but tested like an elite athlete at his pro day. He may not possess Chris Ballard’s standard length requirements, but he is a tough, physical corner that is more than willing to tackle. In coverage, Thomas is versatile and can play both slot and outside. He will fit well into the Colts’ cover 2 base shell, and all the other variants Matt Eberflus will cook up.
Round 5
Pick 165: Charles Snowden Edge/LB, Virginia
Disclaimer, I love this pick. Snowden is a freaky tall, long, and explosive athlete who can be used for essentially anything. His best scheme fit is probably like a 3-4 outside linebacker, but he would be more of a chess piece for the Colts. He has the ability to play short zone coverages or rush the passer from any position on the defensive line. I see Snowden as a tight end eraser on third downs with his height and movement abilities.
Round 6
Pick 206: Ihmir Smith Marsette WR, Iowa
I don’t expect Marsette to be here come draft day, but I would be ecstatic if he fell to the Colts. Marsette fills the need as a vertical threat for the Colts offense and is dynamic with the ball in his hands. He is yet another option for the Colts to look at when it comes to kick and punt return duties and adds speed insurance for the oft-injured Parris Campbell.
Round 7
Pick 229: Jimmy Morrissey IOL, Pittsburgh
Jimmy Morrissey is an outstanding athlete who would add competition to the Colts’ interior offensive line. Projecting mostly as a center, Morrissey would probably back up Ryan Kelly and eventually back up both guard positions if he were to make the roster. It’s worth noting Morrissey won the Burlsworth Trophy as the nation’s top walk-on.
Pick 248: Greg Eiland OT, Mississippi St.
This is just pure projection on my part. What I can tell you is that Greg Eiland is MASSIVE. According to NFL Draft Diamonds on Twitter, his wingspan is by far the largest in the draft, measuring at 88 1/8 inches. He’s probably a guard but played tackle in college. He’s also not a great athlete but could play well in a phone booth. Maybe the offensive line coaches could invest some time in Eiland as he develops his game a little more because, with those arms, he might have a chance to become really dangerous.
