Colts swing for the fences in expert mock NFL draft
The 2023 NFL Draft is just over a week away, and there is no doubt that the Indianapolis Colts are looking to make a splash. Especially at quarterback, where the Colts have had a revolving door since Andrew Luck called it a career. Indianapolis currently holds the No. 4 overall pick in the draft. There […]
The 2023 NFL Draft is just over a week away, and there is no doubt that the Indianapolis Colts are looking to make a splash. Especially at quarterback, where the Colts have had a revolving door since Andrew Luck called it a career.
Indianapolis currently holds the No. 4 overall pick in the draft. There has been no shortage of speculation about Chris Ballard potentially making a move up for a quarterback; however, things point to the Colts staying put.
NFL Draft insider Dane Brugler sees the Colts sitting still at their current spot and taking whichever signal caller falls to their pick. In his latest mock draft for The Athletic, Brugler sends one of the most intriguing prospects in the entire class to Indy.
Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson is the pick for the Colts. Brugler notes that Indianapolis may not be a complete lock to pick a signal caller. But, he doesn't see the Colts being able to resist the upside that Richardson possesses.
Like the Texans, the Colts shouldn’t be considered locks to select a quarterback in the top five this year. It would be understandable, however, if Indianapolis decides Richardson is worth the risk. There’s been so much talk about Richardson’s ceiling, but with his size, mobility and general feel as a passer, I am encouraged by Richardson’s floor as an NFL QB. His development mentally will decide that ceiling.
Richardson would provide head coach Shane Steichen with an exciting weapon behind center. He has a cannon for an arm, is lethal with his legs, and makes highlight-reel plays each time that he steps on the field.
Indianapolis continues to swing for the fences beyond the first-round in Brugler's mock. The Colts grab ball-hawking and playmaking corner Emmanuel Forbes in the second-round.
Forbes has the most interceptions returned for touchdowns in the history of college football. While earning All-American honors, Forbes emerged as one of the elite corners in the nation. However, his big knock is that he weighed in at 166 pounds at the NFL Scouting Combine.
Such a pick would give the Colts another high-upside prospect at a position of need. Indianapolis needs a game-changing corner on the back end of its defense after trading away Stephon Gilmore this offseason.
Finally, Brugler has the Colts again making a bit of a splash in the third-round. Oklahoma receiver Marvin Mims is the selection. Mims had a prolific career on the high school level in Texas before making plays for the Sooners.
Mims isn't the most athletic receiver in the draft and may not feature the same kind of ceiling that some his peers have. Still, he has the ability to carve out an important role in an offense right out of the gate thanks to his route-running and ready-made game.
Indianapolis Colts fans should be thrilled if the first three rounds go like Brugler's mock. Richardson and Forbes are two of the most intriguing prospects in the class, while Mims can be a difference-making receiver in an offense that needs another weapon.
Chris Ballard has the opportunity to swing for the fences with a draft like that.
