INDIANAPOLIS – The NFL Draft looms. We’re at 17 days and counting.
We’ve not gotten preoccupied with the NFL’s period of misinformation and misdirection regarding whether the Tennessee Titans have locked onto Miami quarterback Cam Ward or the No. 1 overall pick is up for sale, or whether Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders is a sure-first top-5 pick or should brace himself for a first-round slide.
We’re guilty of tunnel vision regarding what Chris Ballard should do when the Indianapolis Colts are on the clock at No. 14 on April 24.
Take a tight end. Preferably, it’s Penn State’s Tyler Warren. But by all accounts, Michigan’s Coleston Loveland would be an acceptable option if Ballard sits tight and resists the urge to trade up and get Warren.
At the NFL owners meetings last week in Florida, Ballard reinforced his core belief in never ignoring the offensive and defensive lines and mentioned the Colts’ need for a weak-side linebacker following E.J. Speed’s free-agent relocation to Houston.
But. Tight end.
“Do we need a game-changer? Absolutely we do,’’ Ballard said. “Will it happen? I can’t dictate the draft. I can’t.’’
Here’s a sampling of the latest mock drafts:
Nick Baumgardner, The Athletic (April 7)
*The pick: TE Colston Loveland, Michigan.
*The reason: There are days when I think Loveland might be right there with Warren as a legit top-10 prospect. An outstanding receiver who terrorized linebackers and has the ability to beat safeties (and some corners). Loveland is also a better blocker than people realize and one of the most dependable talents on the board. He’d be a perfect fit in Indianapolis.
*Notable: Warren was projected to the Saints at No. 9.
Ryan Wilson, CBS Sports (April 7)
*The pick: TE Tyler Warren, Penn State.
*The reason: Tyler Warren accounted for 75% of Penn State’s offense (it was closer to 50%, but it sure felt like a lot more) as a receiver, passer and runner. No player has done more for his draft stock than Warren, who was a late Day 2/Day 3 pick over the summer and could end up going higher than the middle of the first round.
Mason Cameron, Pro Football Focus (April 7)
*The pick: S Nick Emmanwori, South Carolina.
*The reason: It’s no surprise that Colts general manager Chris Ballard values high-level athletes with elite traits. Does any prospect better fit that build than Emmanwori? While Indianapolis’ defense already houses a solid option at safety in Nick Cross, Emmanwori’s 86.8 PFF coverage grade, if he can produce it in the NFL, would be a significant improvement and a better pairing with new signee Camryn Bynum.
*Notable: Warren was projected to Dallas at No. 12 and Loveland to the Rams at No. 26.
Nate Tice/Charles McDonald, Yahoo Sports (April 7)
*The pick: Edge Mykel Williams, Georgia.
*The reason: The Colts drafted Laiatu Latu in the first round last year, but they still could stand to add another player off the edge. Williams is more of a power player than a finesse rusher, but he would be a great addition to a Colts defense that lost edge rusher Dayo Odeyingbo to the Bears in free agency this year.
*Notable: Warren was projected to Seattle at No. 18 and Loveland to the Rams at No. 26.
Chad Reuter, NFL.com (April 4)
*The pick: LB Jihaad Campbell, Alabama
*The reason: Zaire Franklin operates in the middle of the Colts defense, which means Campell can use his athleticism to make plays as a pass rusher, in coverage and when tracking down run plays to the outside.
*Notable: Warren was projected to Carolina at No. 8 and Loveland to Denver at No. 20.
Vinnie Iyer, The Sporting News (April 4)
*The pick: TE Tyler Warren, Penn State.
*The reason: The Colts have been tied to Warren as a needed versatile receiver for Shane Steichen’s offense and he can be a big asset for either Daniel Jones or Anthony Richardson.
Mike Renner, CBS Sports (April 3)
*The pick: TE Tyler Warren, Penn State.
*The reason: While Anthony Richardson isn’t hurting for weapons, Tyler Warren’s versatility makes him an easy choice to join the offense. He will be a value add as a blocker in the run game and has shown to be a weapon on gadget-type plays in Penn State’s offense.
Josh Edwards, CBS Sports (April 3).
*The pick: TE Colston Loveland, Michigan.
*The reason: Indianapolis has made it known that Anthony Richardson and Daniel Jones will compete for the starting quarterback position. The Colts have invested heavily in that wide receiver room, but make Colston Loveland the face of a newly-renovated tight end corps.
*Notable: Warren was projected to the Bears at No. 10.
Field Yates, ESPN (April 2)
*The pick: TE Tyler Warren, Penn State.
*The reason: The Colts have not had a tight end reason 500 receiving yards in a single season since 2018, and none of their tight ends even reached 200 last season. So it’s safe to say Indy needs to beef up that position. Enter Warren, who crossed the 200-yard threshold on the ground and had 700 of his 1,233 receiving yards some after the catch last season. He chews up extra yardage with a combination of power, tenacity and quickness that is tough to imagine from a player of his 6-foot-6, 256-pound size.
Chris Trapasso, CBS Sports (April 2)
*The pick: OL Donovan Jackson, Ohio State.
*The reason: The Colts make no mistake about protecting Anthony Richardson by picking the athletic, NFL-sized guard from Ohio State.
*Notable: Warren was projected to the Jets at No. 7 and Loveland to Denver at No. 20.
Walter Football (April 2)
*The pick: G Tyler Booker, Alabama.
*The reason: The Colts lost Will Fries to Minnesota, giving them a hole at one of their guard spots. I bet they love the idea of having one of the top guard tandems in the NFL. Tyler Booker isn’t an elite athlete, but he has incredible length.
*Notable: Warren was projected to Seattle at No. 18 and Loveland to Washington at No. 29.
Nate Davis, USA Today (April 1)
*The pick: TE Tyler Warren, Penn State.
*The reason: More Rob Gronkowski than Travis Kelce – just in case you enjoy outlandish pre-draft comparisons – Warren (6-6, 256) would help this team both in the run game and as an intermediate threat down the field. That might make him the perfect piece to include given the amount of help this team’s quarterback(s) is likely to need.
Lance Zierlein, NFL.com (April 1)
*The pick: TE Tyler Warren, Penn State.
*The reason: I would love to go in a different direction with a roster that feels in need of a truly bold shakeup (drafting Shedeur Sanders?!), but the Colts could use a big target at tight end with the mindset to fit in as a run blocker. Warren is a safe pick, but he’s not a lock here.
Geoff Schwartz, Fox Sports (March 28)
*The pick: TE Coleston Loveland, Michigan.
*The reason: The Colts will draft Loveland to address their biggest need. Loveland is more of a wide receiver than he is a tight end, which allows him to run more creative routes and opens up a playbook. He’s a mismatch for the defense.
*Notable: Warren was projected to the Jets at No. 7.
Charles Davis, NFL.com (March 27)
*The pick: TE Colston Loveland, Michigan.
*The reason: Getting Anthony Richardson to play to his full potential is the first priority in Indy. Loveland will give the young quarterback easy completions and big plays downfield, too.
*Notable: Warren was projected to the Jets at No. 7.
Matt Miller, ESPN (March 27)
*The pick: TE Colston Loveland, Michigan.
*The reason: The Colts had only 39 receptions from their tight ends this past season, the fewest in the NFL. Loveland would provide an immediate upgrade as a natural pass catcher with soft hands, elite agility in space and the speed to run himself open.
He missed time with a shoulder injury and was in a sling at the combine in late February, but it won’t affect the start of his NFL career. Loveland was the Michigan passing game this past season, catching 56 passes for 582 yards and five touchdowns despite anemic QB play. He also became an accomplished move blocker in the Wolverines’ run-heavy scheme, which Colts RB Jonathan Taylor will appreciate.
Dan Brugler, The Athletic (March 24)
*The pick: TE Colston Loveland, Michigan.
*The reason: Whether Anthony Richardson or Daniel Jones wins the starting quarterback job, the Colts are overdue to add more weapons on offense. The tight end corps is particularly unimpressive. The 6-6 Loveland puts a tall target on the field, one capable of running receiver routes.
*Notable: Ty Warren was projected to the Saints at No. 9.
Rob Rang, Fox Sports (March 21).
*The pick: G Tyler Booker, Alabama.
*The reason: Losing center Ryan Kelly and right guard Will Fries in free agency (both to the Vikings) will sting less if the Colts are able to rebound with the addition of Booker, who is among the safety prospects in this year’s class. Booker starred at left guard at Alabama – where the Colts currently boast All-Pro Quenton Nelson – but he’s played right guard (and left tackle) before and possesses the physicality and work ethic to maintain the Colts’ physicality and nastiness up front.
*Notable: Warren was projected to the Jaguars at No. 5 and Loveland to the Eagles at No. 32.
Todd McShay, The McShay Report (March 20)
*The pick: TE Colston Loveland, Michigan.
*The reason: The Colts are starved for a difference maker at this position – whether it’s in support of Anthony Richardson or Daniel Jones. In terms of his advanced route running and general pass-catching skill set, I think Loveland is vastly underrated and is just a tick behind where record-breaking rookie right end Brock Bowers was as a prospect. Loveland runs routes like a big wide receiver and has an excellent catalog of moves to get off press coverage and even more impressive separation skills at the top of his stem. His hand-eye coordination is outstanding, and he dropped only two passes all of last season. Finally, he’s highly effective at generating yards after the catch, which is something the Colts quarterbacks could greatly benefit from.
*Notable: Warren was projected to the Saints at No. 9.
Daniel Jeremiah, NFL.com (March 18)
*The pick: TE Tyler Warren, Penn State.
*The reason: Whether it’s Anthony Richardson or Daniel Jones starting for the Colts next season, the team needs to help its quarterback with some easy completions. Warren can provide them, and he’ll also be an asset in the run game for Jonathan Taylor.
Mel Kiper Jr., ESPN (March 17)
*The pick: TE Colston Loveland, Michigan.
*The reason: I liked the Colts’ signings of Charvarius Ward and Camryn Bynum, so I’m less worried about the secondary than I was a few weeks ago. But I’m still very concerned about Indy’s pass-catching options. This is a make-or-break season for quarterback Anthony Richardson – especially now that Daniel Jones is in the fold as competition – and the wide receiver and tight end rooms are light.
The Colts could take a wideout such as Arizona’s Tetairoa McMillan, Ohio State’s Emeka Egbuka or Texas’ Matthew Golden. But Loveland is ranked higher on my board than all three and could immediately become Indy’s No. 1 tight end. I see him hauling in some Richardson deep balls down the seam.
*Notable: Kiper projected Warren to the New York Jets at No. 7.
You can follow Mike Chappell on Twitter at @mchappell51.