But what else is there to do?
The only use for mock drafts, if you ask me, is to have fun and look forward to inarguably the most important event of the NFL offseason. I am not going to sit here and tell the Colts what they should, nor I will be arrogant enough to claim to have any sort of clue to what the team will do. Still, there is no harm in imagining potential scenarios, and discussing whether as fans we would be happy or not with them.
I will be using PFF.com Mock Draft simulator to run the scenarios, of course they might not be entirely realistic and the board is subject to change as we move forward in the offseason. This draft is made assuming the Colts do not sign a single free-agent, so also keep that in mind.
Round 1, pick 14: Tyler Warren, tight end, Penn State
This is a no-brainer right here, and I would even be in favour of trading up a few spots just to guarantee that the Colts are able to draft this guy and we do not have a repeat of what happened with Brock Bowers last season. Now Warren is not as good a prospect as Bowers, but he would still come in and be better than all of the Colts’ tight ends from day one, and I say that confidently. The lack of production from the position has been well documented, and Warren had one of the most productive seasons from a college tight end in recent history. I don’t think that a single fan would make an opposite case here, and if so I would really like to hear it.
Round 2, pick 45: Xavier Watts, safety, Notre Dame
There is uncertainty as to whether the Colts will re-sign longtime safety Julian Blackmon, after he had his worst season as a pro. New defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo’s scheme places a lot of emphasis on the safety position, so it makes sense for the Colts to try and upgrade the position via the draft in what is considered a fairly deep safety class. Watts has over 2.000 snaps played in college, and had his best season last year. He also offers plenty of versatility, having lined up deep, in the slot, and in the box.
Round 3, pick 80: Deone Walker, defensive line, Duke
Walker is 6’6’’ and weighs 345 pounds. The Colts need players with that physical profile along the defensive line, and what Walker really adds is versatility having played A gap, B gap, and even lining up against tackles in college. He is a bigger version of Tyquan Lewis, and could hopefully help solve the issues the Colts’ defense faced when either Buckner or Stewart were not on the field.
Round 4, pick 115: David Walker, edge, Central Arkansas
Another D. Walker that plays defensive line? Why yes of course. This pick scratches Chris Ballard’s unavoidable itch of getting small school players so it also makes sense there. Walker has an absurd amount of production, and his tape looks like he is an NFL caliber player playing against guys that will most likely never play football against in their life after college, which is exactly the case. The obvious question rises, will Walker’s production hold up when he is playing against NFL linemen? That is a fair risk, but again, the Draft is all about them. Walker should be able to contribute at least as a specialist pass-rusher, something the Colts don’t have right now, and he might be a piece in solving the defensive frustratring struggles in third and very long situations.
Round 5, pick 151: Trevor Etienne, running back, Georgia
Over the course of his college career Etienne caught 62 of the 63 balls thrown his way. The Colts desperately need a pass-catching running back. At Round 5, I don’t think there is better value than that to be had. He is a bit undersized for the position, which is also an issue considering how inacurrate Anthony Richardson is throwing short passes, but if the Colts’ quarterback learns to throw the checkdown, and puts the ball at least in the vicinity of Etienne (a massive if taking into account his last season), he should be able to catch it and move the chains.
Round 6, pick 188: Jake Majors, center, Texas
Close to 3.000 snaps played solely at the center position in a major collegiate program, while allowing just a single sack, is definitely impressive. With Ryan Kelly’s status up in the air, but leaning more and more towards the side of retirement, it looks like impressive rookie Tanor Bartolini will take over the starting spot, leaving the Colts with a hole at backup center, especially if Pinter is allowed to walk.
Round 7, pick 233: Hollin Pierce, tackle, Rutgers
Speaking of offensive line retirements, right tackle Braden Smith also looks like he will hanging the cleats, as he is dealing with an undisclosed issue. Assuming that Matt Goncalves takes over the starting spot, that leaves the Colts with just Blake Freeland as a backup tackle, which is not enough. Pierce is a definite gamble, but he has the college experience and the frame to become a viable backup swing tackle in the NFL. Also, there is not much you can expect from a 7th round pick.