Indianapolis Colts 7-round mock draft if they used their first round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft on a CB
The 2024 NFL Draft is quickly approaching and yet it still remains a mystery of what the Indianapolis Colts will do when they get on the clock at pick 15 in the first round.This gave me the idea to test out the most likely positions the Colts could select at 15 to show how it […]
The 2024 NFL Draft is quickly approaching and yet it still remains a mystery of what the Indianapolis Colts will do when they get on the clock at pick 15 in the first round.
This gave me the idea to test out the most likely positions the Colts could select at 15 to show how it could affect the rest of their 2024 NFL Draft selections.
This will be a four-part series as I cover the four most likely positions that the Colts could target with their first-round pick: CB, WR, TE, and Edge.
During this series, I will not include trades; it will only include the seven draft picks currently owned by the Colts.
For this mock draft, the Colts will be targeting a CB with their first-round pick.
Check out all four parts of this series:
Edge Rusher I WR I Brock Bowers
Round 1, Pick 15: Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo
Entering this offseason, it seemed pretty clear that the Colts needed to make a move at CB. And with the youth in the room, many expected it to come in the form of a veteran. But it's already April, and they haven't added a single outside player to that room. So now the expectation is that the Colts will use one of their top picks on a CB in the 2024 NFL Draft. If they elect to use their first-round pick, I think the top two options are Alabama's Terrion Arnold and Toledo's Quinyon Mitchell.
I believe at least one CB will be drafted before the Colts pick at 15, and I think Arnold will be that player. So, the Colts land the speedy Mitchell in this mock draft. Mitchell showed off his elite coverage skills at the Senior Bowl and then his elite athleticism at the Scouting Combine. He seems like a prospect that will check every box the Colts have prioritized when drafting CBs. His ability in press and zone coverage makes him an excellent fit for the Colts’ defense, and his 4.33 speed will be very welcome to start opposite Juju Brents on the outside.
Round 2, Pick 46: Troy Franklin, WR, Oregon
A WR that at one point seemed poised to hear his name called in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft now mostly gets projected in round two. But I think Oregon's Troy Franklin is still one of the best Z WRs in this draft class. He's coming off a career year at Oregon, where he set new career highs across the board with 81 receptions, 1,383 receiving yards, and 14 touchdowns.
The reason you hear a lot of people push back on Franklin is due to his high 10.0% drop rate. This must be figured out at the next level for him to reach his ceiling. But I think there's hope that this happens. On tape, you can see a lot of his drops come from trying to move too quickly and make a move with the ball before he secures it. I think most NFL WR coaches will be able to coach that out of him. If he can cut down on the drops, his speed (4.41 40-yard dash) and stellar route running would make the Colts and second-year QB Anthony Richardson very happy.
Round 3, Pick 82: Dadrion Taylor-Demerson, S, Texas Tech
Dadrion Taylor-Demerson is an intriguing safety in the 2024 NFL Draft class out of Texas Tech. He spent time all over the field at Texas Tech, with 113 snaps in the box, 202 snaps as a slot corner, and his main role came as a deep safety, where he logged 485 snaps. The Colts need a FS, and it needs to be a player comfortable playing in single high alignments, and Taylor-Demerson fits that to a tee.
Tayor-Demerson would be the favorite to start at FS for the Colts on day one if they don't bring a vet in off the free-agent market. I honestly think he raises the floor of this defense with his ability to play single high effectively. But even if they do bring in a vet to start for the short term, I think Taylor-Demerson has the ability to be a reliable depth player at multiple positions in the secondary.
Round 4, Pick 117: Mohamed Kamara, Edge, Colorado State
You don't see me take mid-round edge rushers often in this draft class, but Colorado Staes' Mohamed Kamara is an exception. I'm a big fan of Kamara's game. Some are lower on him because he is smaller than your typical edge rusher, but I honestly view that as a benefit to his game due to how explosive he is off the snap. His size may bother me if his strength on tape seemed underwhelming, but he constantly bull rushes his assignments with ease.
He is also coming off a career season to finish a very productive college career by setting new career highs with 14 sacks and 38 QB hurries. He ended his college career with 28 sacks in three seasons. He is arguably the most underrated edge rusher in this year's draft class, and if the Colts can grab him on day three, they should pounce.
Round 5, Pick 151: Will Shipley, RB, Clemson
With the Colts losing Zack Moss this offseason, they need a reliable backup behind Jonathan Taylor. I think they'd be wise to add a player who they can utilize in the passing game. And If the Colts want to add a receiving threat out of the backfield, one of their best options is Clemson's Will Shipley. Shipley has shown himself to be comfortable catching the ball out of the backfield. Another area I think he can beat huge asset for the Colts is in the return game after the NFL's new rule change altering the kickoff format.
Round 6, Pick 191: Daequan Hardy, CB, Penn State
It may seem weird to take back-to-back return specialists, but that's exactly what I did here by picking Penn State CB Daequan Hardy. Hardy is undeniably one of the best return specialists in this draft, as well as being a slot CB with solid ball skills that could help the Colts on the defensive side of the ball. The Colts don't have a backup for Kenny Moore II in the slot so drafting a slot CB to me makes a lot of sense. And if they can find a player who can affect special teams as well, like Hardy, it should be a no-brainer.
Round 7, Pick 234: Dallas Gant, LB, Toledo
Dallas Gant out of Toledo isn't quite the athletic the Colts usually target at LB but I think he fits a clear need in the room, his coverage ability. Gant spent his first four seasons in college at Ohio State before transferring to Toledo in 2022 for his final two seasons. Gant never had a huge role at Ohio State, but was able to put up 230 total tackles over the past two seasons with Toledo and allowed the third lowest passer rating among all LBs in the 2024 NFL Draft class with a 75.3.
Indianapolis Colts 2024 NFL Draft Big Board
Top 50 prospects in the 2024 NFL Draft that best fit the Indianapolis Colts
