Written by Cody Manning, @CodyTalksNFL
After surprising the NFL by making a playoff run in 2018, Indianapolis is looking to add to their young nucleus of talent to help make another run for the Super Bowl in 2019. Chris Ballard hit on his 2018 class with the likes of Quenton Nelson, Darius Leonard, Braden Smith, and Nyheim Hines. Even though the Colts had plenty of cap space, they kept it conservative, only spending to brim in veteran edge rusher Justin Houston. They also took a chance on Devin Funchess to provide Andrew Luck another target. It will be interesting to see how Ballard and company approach the draft but if I had to guess who could be on their radar, I am considering some of the following players. Check them out!!!
Draft Picks (9 total)
1st Round #26
2nd Round #34 (F/NYJ)
2nd Round #59
3rd Round #90
4th Round #130
4th Round #136 (Comp.)
5th Round #165
6th Round #201
7th Round #242
Team Needs: EDGE, IDL, WR, S, CB, OT, LB
Player Fits
Early Rounds (1-2) – 3 total picks
Clelin Ferrell, EDGE (Clemson)
Jeffery Simmons, IDL (Mississippi St.)
D.K. Metcalf, WR (Ole Miss)
Nasir Adderley, S (Delaware)
Deandre Baker, CB (Georgia)
Christian Wilkins, IDL (Clemson)
N’Keal Harry, WR (Arizona St.)
Chase Winovich, EDGE (Michigan)
Johnathan Abram, S (Mississippi St.)
Julian Love, CB (Notre Dame)
Dexter Lawrence, IDL (Clemson)
Hakeem Butler, WR (Iowa St.)
Chauncey Gardner-Johnson, S (Florida)
Trayvon Mullen, CB (Clemson)
Mid Rounds (3-5) – 4 picks
Dre’Mont Jones, IDL (Ohio St.)
D’Andre Walker, EDGE (Georgia)
Emanuel Hall, WR (Missouri)
Khalen Saunders, IDL (Western Illinois)
Joejuan Williams, CB (Vanderbilt)
L.J. Collier, EDGE (TCU)
Zach Allen, EDGE (Boston College)
Marquise Blair, S (Utah)
Malik Gant, S (Marshall)
Isaiah Buggs, IDL (Alabama)
Jaylon Ferguson, EDGE (LA Tech)
Oshane Ximines, EDGE (Old Dominion)
Mike Edwards, S (Kentucky)
Anthony Johnson, WR (Buffalo)
Isaiah Prince, OT (Ohio St.)
Late Rounds (6-7) – 2 picks
David Long, LB (West Virginia)
Max Sharping, OT (Northern Illinois)
Sutton Smith, EDGE (Northern Illinois)
Kris Boyd, CB (Texas)
D’Cota Dixon, S (Wisconsin)
Sean Bunting, CB (Central Michigan)
Michael Dogbe, IDL (Temple)
Dakota Allen, LB (Texas Tech)
Austin Bryant, EDGE (Clemson)
Miles Boykin, WR (Notre Dame)
Tre Watson, LB (Maryland)
Tyler Roemer, OT (San Diego St.)
Armon Watts, IDL (Arkansas)
Mock Draft
1st Round #26: Jeffrey Simmons, IDL (Mississippi St.)
Indianapolis needs to upgrade the interior of their defensive line, and Simmons could be a long-time anchor in the trenches. While he can’t make an immediate impact because of the torn ACL, he could make a return for a playoff push or redshirt his rookie season. If the medicals aren’t a concern, the Colts can get a top-10 talent at #26.
2nd Round #34: N’Keal Harry, WR (Arizona St.)
The Colts must find a big receiver that can help complement T.Y. Hilton. Even though they brought in Devin Funchess, he signed a 1-year deal, and Indy needs to take a swing as much as they can to get Andrew Luck weapons. Harry offers the size and outstanding ability to get the 50/50 balls because of his catch radius
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2nd Round #59: Chauncey Gardner-Johnson, S (Florida)
Indianapolis has two quality starters at the safety position, but both players have an injury history. Also, the team needs more depth in the group. Gardner-Johnson can offer the Colts a versatile player that can line up as a slot corner, play in the box, or as a single high safety. He would provide the insurance to the current starters while offering the defensive coordinator a weapon he can use.
3rd Round #90: Joejuan Williams, CB (Vanderbilt)
The Colts have their two starting cornerbacks penciled in at the position, but they need more overall talent added to the room. Williams would offer the team some length and could be a matchup problem for bigger receivers. After getting torched by the Chiefs in the playoffs, I expect Chris Ballard will look to improve his pass defense with this draft class.
4th Round #130: Khalen Saunders, IDL (Western Illinois)
If the Colts do end up with Simmons, they may want to readdress the position in the mid-rounds to help with depth during his absence. Saunders offers a team a quality backup with starter potential. He could be a nice rotational piece as a rookie and could make an impact on game days.
4th Round #136: Jachai Polite, EDGE (Florida)
Polite wasn’t on my list above because his play on the field could place him on Day 1 or 2, but his draft stock has taken a major hit because of poor testing and struggling in the interview process. Regardless, I can see a team still taking a chance on him if he falls to the 4th round. With an extra pick, I could see the Colts taking a swing at a position of need.
5th Round #165: Isaiah Prince, OT (Ohio St.)
The Colts starting line is set but they could use some depth behind their starting tackles. Anthony Castonzo is entering the final year of his contract and is getting older, so the Colts could address it in this draft class. Prince would be a backup piece in case anyone were to suffer an injury.
6th Round #201: Bryce Love, RB (Stanford)
The Colts don’t necessarily have a need for a running back, but they could look to add to their group if it meant getting a player on a bargain pick. Bryce Love lost a lot of stock due to a torn ACL and a subpar 2018 campaign. Indy can afford to let him get fully healthy, and if he can tap into his potential, he offers a lot of upside for a lower value pick.
7th Round #242: Dakota Allen, LB (Texas Tech)
Indy needs to add more depth behind Darius Leonard and Anthony Walker. Allen offers some coverage skills to help defend today’s passing attacks and could be a quality special teamer. The seventh round is hard to pick, but anyone that can help in special teams usually has the best chance of making the final 53-man roster.