Adams: Final Colts 2023 7-Round Mock Draft

With the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft kicking off tomorrow, it is time to reveal the final mock draft for the Indianapolis Colts.

This is not a drill, Indianapolis Colts fans; it is officially NFL Draft Week!

The question on all our minds is which of the top quarterbacks in this class will call Indianapolis home. The Colts are slated to have nine selections in this year's draft (for now), and multiple holes are remaining that the team could look to fill. So, using what I have heard in the building, here is my final prediction on how the Colts' draft will shake out.

Round 1, Pick 4: Anthony Richardson, QB, Florida

© Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

This could be the most important draft pick the Colts have had in recent memory. When they decided not to get off the QB carousel in years past, it pushed off this very decision. This has been building up for so long that I believe the Colts are ready to take the big swing, and in this year's class, that is Anthony Richardson out of Florida. From the suspicious Colts planes spotted in Gainsville to the oh-so-curious “informal” meeting between the team and Richardson at the Combine. The team has certainly done their due diligence on the former Florida Gator.

While his completion percentage worries some, his advanced pocket presence and maturity as a runner at only 20 years old stand tall. His patience to let plays develop as a passer before choosing to run is something mobile QBs don't normally have until being at the next level for multiple years. It's one of the clear jumps we saw from Lamar Jackson during his MVP season for example, or on the opposite spectrum, we saw Chicago Bears QB Justin Fields really struggle in this department last year. Some may be worried about the risk that comes with Richardson, but in a conference with the likes of Patrick Mahomes, Joe Burrow, Josh Allen, and Justin Herbert, this is the move the franchise needs to make.

Round 2, Pick 50: Cody Mauch, OG/OT, North Dakota State

Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

TRADE: Colts send pick 35 to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for pick 50, pick 82, and pick 179.

After landing their QB in the first round, the Colts get him support on the offensive line in a prospect I’ve been told the team is very interested in, Cody Mauch out of North Dakota State. Mauch has the flexibility to play tackle or guard at the next level. With the Colts, I believe Mauch could be the starter at right guard for the foreseeable future. His position versatility would give the Colts some flexibility come training camp to prioritize putting the best five offensive linemen on the field.

Mauch’s athleticism on the offensive line would fit what the Colts normally covet at the position as well as the creative blocking concepts Shane Steichen could want to employ from his time with the Philadelphia Eagles. He is already excellent in the run game, with some technical issues in pass protection that need to be coached up. But he offers tremendous upside at a position of need as the Colts begin building around their rookie QB.

Round 3, Pick 79: Darius Rush, CB, South Carolina

© Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

Cornerback may just be the Colts' second largest need after quarterback following the trade-away of Stephon Gilmore this offseason. One of the better scheme fits in this class is Darius Rush out of South Carolina. The only reason he could even be available in Round 3 is that his college running mate Cam Smith gets a lot of the attention at the moment. Rush's combo of length and speed should have him high on the Colts' corner board in this class, as well as having solid ball skills on tape.

Rush was one of the week's biggest winners at this year's Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala. His speed off the whistle and football IQ shined during one-on-one practice reps. He had multiple reps where he would run the receiver's route for them and make a play on the ball, which showed Rush’s solid production in college wasn't just a result of Smith being the star corner in the system, but Rush is impressive in his own light.

Round 3, Pick 82: Marvin Mims Jr., WR Oklahoma

© Chris Jones-USA TODAY Sports

The need to add a vertical threat with the move to Steichen’s offense is evident. Oklahoma's Marvin Mims Jr. is one of the better fits in this class to fill that role. His ability to get to his top speed quickly off the line of scrimmage is impressive. And his experience making big plays at Oklahoma is precisely what the Colts need.

This past year, Mims was the leading target for an Oklahoma passing offense that struggled in their first season without Lincoln Riley calling the shots, but Mims' production didn't fall off. He put up a career-high in yards and receptions on the year. His tape shows examples of big-play ability, as he had 7 catches over 40 yards last season. He also has room to grow still as his route tree can be expanded by NFL coaches to broaden his game to even greater heights.

Round 4, Pick 106: Dorian Williams, LB, Tulane

Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

An underrated need for the Colts is at linebacker. With the departure of Bobby Okereke, the team's WILL spot will be up for competition in training camp. And the skill the Colts will miss most from Okereke is his coverage ability. Dorian Williams out of Tulane is one of the best coverage linebackers in this year's class. He also will check a box that is very important to the team as, according to RAS Football, he is an excellent athlete. Some may believe he is a bit smaller than you’d want your coverage linebacker to be at 6’1", 228, but he makes up for that with his long arms that give him an 80-1/2" wingspan.

Williams’ motor is relentless, as he never gives up on a play. This is an area the Colts normally covet and should project Williams to be a great special teamer, at the very least. But with his ability in coverage and length, I wouldn't be shocked at all to see Williams come in and win a starting WILL job for the Colts or any team that elects to draft the Tulane linebacker.

Round 4, Pick 122: Olusegun Oluwatimi, C, Michigan

© Kirthmon F. Dozier / USA TODAY NETWORK

TRADE: Colts send pick 138, pick 179 (from Buccaneers), and a 2024 sixth-round pick to the Kansas City Chiefs for pick 122.

Olusegun Oluwatimi, out of Michigan, is one of my favorite prospects in this year's draft class. He was a very productive center at Virginia who built on that success at Michigan over the past two seasons. He is among the best pass blockers in this year's class at the center position. Oluwatimi has very sound mechanics that should help him play much earlier than many probably realize.

Many believe his size and strength combo will struggle in the run game at the next level, which is why he is even available in the fourth round. But to me, that struggle doesn't show up on his tape as he was very sound in both pass and run protection in the Big 10, and when Michigan needed the line to hold up to let them run out big games, Oluwatimi delivered time and time again. This is a big reason that I think the Colts would make the choice to trade up from their earliest fifth to land a center like Oluwatimi, who could replace Ryan Kelly when the time comes, and he could be the center of the future for the rookie QB the Colts take in Round 1.

Round 5, Pick 162: Andrei Iosivas, WR, Princeton

Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Drafting Day-3 receivers seems like a staple during the Ballard-led Colts tenure, and with the new coaching staff, an overhaul at this position group could make a lot of sense. A player that would fit the size and athleticism Ballard normally targets while also fitting Steichen’s scheme would be Andrei Iosivas out of Princeton. According to RAS Football, Iosivas isn't just one of the most athletic receivers in this year's class but of all time.

He put his track speed on full display at this year's Scouting Combine, where he put up a 4.43-second 40 with a 1.5-second 10-yard split. His speed would fit the vertical offensive scheme, but his ability to use his size as well and go up and over defenders to make highlight reel plays is an element that should excite teams when looking at Iosivas. If an NFL team can develop his route tree and help him use his speed and size consistently to his advantage, Iosivas could be one of the steals of this year's draft.

Round 5, Pick 176: Eli Ricks, CB, Alabama

Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-Tuscaloosa News Ncaa Football University Of Alabama Pro Day

The corner room for the Colts is dangerously thin, and unless they plan on using free agency, doubling up in the draft would be a wise decision. Eli Ricks out of Alabama has a really solid coverage ability that would make him an intriguing option. Ricks’ best season, though, was his freshman year at LSU. Some injuries and inconsistencies caused some regression, unfortunately. After a shoulder injury derailed his sophomore season, he transferred to Alabama. Ricks was able to put enough tape together to show signs of his freshman excellence but did end up missing three games to injury this past year.

When it comes to Ricks, teams will have questions on if he can get back to his dominant freshman season, where he was a Freshman All-American. His tape of the past two years shows a different player who was more stiff in his lateral movements. His best role may be as a rotational corner who can give the starters a breather at the next level but not be a coverage liability when his number is called on. The possible upside of a coaching staff figuring out how to get him back to the level of play from his freshman year, which would project him as a clear-cut starter at the next level.

Round 7, Pick 221: B.J. Thompson, Edge, Stephen F. Austin

© Joey D. Richards/Abilene Reporter-News / USA TODAY NETWORK

B.J. Thompson, out of Stephen F. Austin, offers a high upside as a pass rusher at the next level. He's got a large frame, as he measured over 6’5" with an 82-inch wingspan. Combining that with his impressive agility drill testing of a 4.61-second 40-yard dash, 1.57-second 10-yard split, and 7.06-second 3-cone, and you have a perfect on-paper Ballard edge rusher.

Thompson’s inability as a run defender will have to improve if he wants to become a three-down defensive lineman at the next level because, at the moment, he is a liability in that area. His upside as a pass rusher, though, should warrant a team using a late pick to beat the undrafted free-agent crowd to get him in their building to see if they just found themselves a diamond in the rough.

Round 7, Pick 236: Xazavian Valladay, RB, Arizona State

Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Adding more speed to the running back room would be a wise investment after the team sent Nyheim Hines to the Buffalo Bills during the season. Xazavian Valladay is a raw running back prospect who doesn't project as a between-the-tackles back, but when he gets the ball in his hand, his 4.44 speed and overall shiftiness could find him a role at the next level. His upside will come in the passing game, where I believe with the right coaching, he could be an excellent complement to starter Jonathan Taylor at the next level. He is also a name to watch if he goes undrafted which I think the team could look at as a free agent, but as I said above with Thompson, sometimes you use your seventh-rounders to beat the crowd of UDFA negotiations.

---

Follow Horseshoe Huddle on Facebook and Twitter.