INDIANAPOLIS – Reverberations from the NFL Scouting Combine were felt throughout Mock Draft Nation.
They resulted in a tweak here, an adjustment there.
Every analyst, from Mel Kiper Jr. to Dane Brugler to Daniel Jeremiah to (fill in your favorite draftnik), does his homework, then gives it a second look. Early versions of a mock draft seldom have the same pecking order, and that includes the lottery picks.
Also, no one can be certain how trades might impact that pecking order.
During last week’s Combine, one of the talking points centered on whether the Tennessee Titans, who hold the No. 1 overall pick, will keep it and start their rebuild with the best player in the draft – good luck figuring out who that might be – or move it and still be in position to acquire a top-end player along with additional picks.
“Anytime you have the No. 1 pick, it’s always going to be a topic of conversation,’’ Titans’ first-year general manager Mike Borgonzi said. “I would say we’ve had some phone calls.’’
Colts GM Chris Ballard holds seven picks, including No. 14 overall. It doesn’t take deep roster evaluation to determine he needs to find a tight end, a cornerback, a safety, a weakside linebacker and backup running back.
Some of those additions will be added when the NFL’s veteran free agent market opens next week. Some will come through the April 24-26 draft.
Here’s how several mock drafts believe Ballard will invest the 14th pick:
At No. 14, the Indianapolis Colts select…
Dane Brugler, The Athletic (March 4)
The pick: TE Colston Loveland, Michigan.
The reason: Connecting the Colts with a tight end here is far from original, but it makes a lot of sense. Loveland has the pass-catching athleticism that will make him an immediate asset for whoever is playing quarterback in Indianapolis next season.
Notable: Penn State’s Tyler Warren was slotted to New Orleans at No. 9.
Ryan Wilson, CBS Sports (March 4)
The pick: TE Tyler Warren, Penn State.
The reason: Tyler Warren accounted for 49% of Penn State’s offense 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.
Jordan Reid, ESPN (March 4)
The pick: TE Colston Loveland, Michigan.
The reason: The Colts had the fewest receiving yards from tight ends in the NFL in 2024. They also need to add at the position because Mo Alie-Cox is set to be a free agent. Loveland performed well despite erratic Michigan QB play this past season, catching 56 passes for 582 yards and five touchdowns. He’s a glorified big receiver who transitions in and out breaks with ease while showing excellent hands. He’s better flexed out but can play in-line if needed. Loveland could create mismatches and be the safety blanket quarterback Anthony Richardson desperately needs.
Trevor Sikkema, Pro Football Focus (March 3)
The pick: CB Jahdae Barron, Texas.
The reason: Barron running a 4.39-second 40-yard dash was just about his last box to check as an outside cornerback after a stellar year of transitioning to the role. He has now shown that he can be an impact player at safety, in the nickel and on the outside. As an off-zone defender, he would be perfect for new Colts defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo.
Walter Football (March 3)
The pick: G Tyler Booker, Alabama.
The reason: The Colts could stand to lose Will Fries, 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.
Lance Zierlein, NFL.com (March 3)
The pick: G Tyler Booker, Alabama.
The reason: I wanted to put tight end Tyler Warren here, but the opportunity to pair Booker with Quenton Nelson might be too enticing for Chris Ballard to pass up.
Richie Bradshaw, SI.com (March 3)
The pick: TE Tyler Warren, Penn State.
The reason: I wouldn’t be shocked one bit to see Warren go in the top 10 picks (the Saints feel like a sweet spot). So, I imagine Indy will be thrilled to see the reigning Mackey Award winner still around at 14 overall. . . . The wide receiver room is more stacked with Michael Pittman Jr., Josh Downs, Alec Pierce and AD Mitchell. But the tight end room is so bad and has been for several years that it’s a huge priority right now. Warren solves that issue and becomes a top contender for the Offensive Rookie of the Year award.
Kyle Crabb, 33rd Team (March 3)
The pick: TE Tyler Warren, Penn State.
The reason: Indianapolis is on the hunt for the right mix of pieces to put around quarterback Anthony Richardson amid their bid to salver their investment. As the saying goes, tight ends are a young quarterback’s best friend. Warren can step right in as an upgrade at ‘Y’ for the Colts and maintain the smashmouth football this team has been built upon.
Nate Tice/Charles McDonald, Yahoo Sports (March 3)
The pick: G Tyler Booker, Alabama.
The reason: Cornerback is another position that Indianapolis could go with here, along with tight end, but Will Fries is a free agent at right guard. And the Colts could build one of the league’s better lines, with one of the strongest guard pairings, by adding Booker to their offense.
Vinny Iyer, The Sporting News (March 3)
The pick: S Malaki Starks, Georgia.
The reason: The Colts need to clean up better on the back end, and even though Starks underwhelmed a little at the Combine as a top consensus safety, he can be the new version of former Bengal Jessie Bates III in Lou Anarumo’s defense.
Tyler Dragon, USA Today (March 3)
The pick: OT Will Campbell, LSU
The reason: The Colts could draft a tight end here but go with Campbell, who they can plug in immediately. Campbell played against elite edge rushers during his time in Baton Rouge.
Jason McIntyre, Fox Sports (Feb. 28)
The pick: LB Jihaad Campbell, Alabama.
The reason: I’m not huge on taking LBs this high, but it’s a glaring need for the Colts, who could probably grab Campbell in the early 20s if a trade materializes.
Bucky Brooks, NFL.com (Feb. 25)
The pick: TE Tyler Warren, Penn State.
The reason: Adding more playmakers on the perimeter is essential to helping Anthony Richardson reach his potential as a franchise quarterback. Warren is a freak athlete with the athletic measurements and production to tickle GM Chris Ballard’s fancy.
Mel Kiper Jr., ESPN (Feb. 25)
The pick: S Malaki Starks, Georgia.
The reason: This is a good fit, with an obvious need for a ball-hawking safety on the back end of the Colts’ defense. Julian Blackmon is a free agent. And Starks – who picked off six passes across three seasons – can make an instant impact.
I wouldn’t be surprised to see Indy look at offense as it tries to maximize and evaluate the long-term prospects of quarterback Anthony Richardson in year 3 of his career. Perhaps Arizona’s Tetairoa McMillan or Ohio State’s Emeka Egbuka could be the move at WR. But Starks makes more sense, especially because there are receiver options available in free agency.
Notable: Kiper’s first mock had the Colts selecting Tyler Warren. In his second version, he slotted Warren to New Orleans at No. 9.
Daniel Jeremiah, NFL.com (Feb. 18)
The pick: G Armand Membou, Missouri.
The reason: Membou had the tools to play right tackle, and he would be a plug-and-play starter at right guard for the Colts.
Previous pick: CB Jahdae Barron, Texas.
Field Yates, ESPN (Feb. 11)
The pick: TE Tyler Warren, Penn State.
The reason: This would qualify as a “sprint to the podium’’ pick if the order falls this way. Warren – my ninth-ranked prospect – would be a great value for a Colts team desperate for an X-factor at tight end. He can make some incredibly difficult catches and is one of the most dangerous run-after-catch players in this class. He blends power and fearlessness to break tackles at will, forcing 21 missed tackles on catches this past season. Warren would be instrumental in boosting Anthony Richardson and the entire Indianapolis passing game.
Chad Reuter, NFL.com (Feb. 10)
The pick: CB Jahdae Barron, Texas.
The reason: Barron’s versatility, toughness and football IQ should land him in the middle-third of the first round. The Colts extended Kenny Moore last offseason, but injuries this past fall exposed the team’s lack of depth in the secondary.
Mike Renner, CBS Sports (Feb. 10)
The pick: DT Kenneth Grant, Michigan.
The reason: Chris Ballard is a traits-based drafter, and you won’t find too many prospects with better traits in this draft than Kenneth Grant. He’s a mammoth defensive tackle who moves like a 3-technique and is only scratching the surface of his potential.
Cynthia Frelund, NFL.com (Feb. 7)
The pick: TE Tyler Warren, Penn State.
The reason: Warren is massive (6-6, 261 pounds), versatile and tough with a catch radius that would make him an ideal target for Anthony Richardson.
Matt Miller, ESPN (Feb. 3)
The pick: TE Tyler Warren, Penn State
The reason: The Colts’ secondary needs attention, so a pick there would make sense. But Warren could really help quarterback Anthony Richardson and there’s always round 2 to boost the defensive back group. Warren produced touchdowns as a receiver, runner and passer at Penn State and could be a reliable outlet for Richardson. Warren was a prolific pass catcher (104 receptions for 1,233 yards and eight touchdowns), but he also has the size to be a standout blocker in the run game. The Colts must determine whether Richardson is their long-term quarterback, and providing him with Warren – who has the potential to be a top-five NFL tight end – would support that process.
Eric Edholm, NFL.com (Jan. 31)
The pick: S Nick Emmanwori, South Carolina.
The reason: I love Emmanwori’s game and think he can rise through the draft process, even if he might be asked about the “miscommunication” over exiting the Gamecocks’ bowl game at halftime.
You can follow Mike Chappell on Twitter at @mchappell51.