Most fans and pundits believe the Indianapolis Colts will draft a tight end or defensive back in the first round. But what about a wide receiver? Chris Trapasso of CBS Sports put together a 2025 NFL Mock Draft and has the Colts selecting Ohio State receiver Emeka Egbuka:
“Emeka Egbuka can win down the field with speed and plus ball-tracking, and his blocking prowess would mesh well with the Colts’ offensive identity.”
The Colts own the 14th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. Several mock drafts have the team taking Penn State tight end Tyler Warren or Georgia safety Malaki Starks. However, in Trapasso’s mock draft, he has Warren going to the Dallas Cowboys (12th overall) and Starks heading to the Miami Dolphins (13th overall).
No one expects the Colts to select a wide receiver in the first round, but crazier things have happened in a mock draft. Last year, they were supposed to take a cornerback like Toledo’s Quinyon Mitchell or a wide receiver like LSU’s Brian Thomas Jr. in the first round. Yet, general manager Chris Ballard drafted UCLA defensive end Laiatu Latu 15th overall instead. The Colts then took Texas wide receiver Adonai Mitchell in the second round.
2025 NFL Mock Draft has the Indianapolis Colts Selecting Emeka Egbuka in the First Round
Egbuka’s Career
Emeka Egbuka spent four seasons with the Ohio State Buckeyes. As a freshman, he caught nine passes for 191 yards while returning 20 kickoffs for 580 yards. He recorded 74 receptions, 1,151 yards, and 10 touchdowns the following year. He also rushed for 87 yards and a pair of touchdowns that year.
Egbuka had an injury-plagued junior season. He caught 41 passes for 515 yards and four touchdowns as teammate Marvin Harrison Jr. won the Fred Biletnikoff Award as the nation’s top wide receiver.
This past season, Egbuka caught a career-high 81 passes to go along with 1,011 yards and 10 touchdowns. He teamed with quarterback Will Howard and Co. to lead Ohio State to a national championship. He caught six passes for 64 yards in the championship game as the Buckeyes beat Notre Dame 34-23.
Egbuka will leave Ohio State as the school’s all-time leader in catches and receiving yards. That’s impressive, knowing that great receivers like Harrison Jr., Garrett Wilson, and Santonio Holmes have played there.
Does This Colts Mock Draft Make Sense?
The Colts haven’t had the best luck with Ohio State receivers over the past 20 years or so. They drafted Anthony Gonzalez in 2007 (first round, 32nd overall) and Parris Campbell in 2019 (second round, 59th overall). Both players struggled to stay healthy. But, of course, that doesn’t mean Egbuka wouldn’t find success in Indy.
Indianapolis shouldn’t draft Egbuka anyway. The team doesn’t need any more wide receivers. They have a solid corps including Michael Pittman Jr., Josh Downs, and Alec Pierce. Adonai Mitchell didn’t have an outstanding rookie year. Yet, the Colts shouldn’t give up on him after only one season.
The team needs to take a defensive back if neither Tyler Warren nor Malaki Starks are available when the Colts pick at No. 14. Drafting a wide receiver in the first round doesn’t make sense.
Main Photo: Adam Cairns – USA Today Sports
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