Moore: Colts 2024 Mock Draft Post NFL Combine

The Indianapolis Colts have their eye on explosive athletes yet again in the 2024 NFL Draft process.

The 2024 NFL Scouting Combine is in the books as over 300 prospects made their way to Indianapolis ahead of the NFL draft.

The theme of the combine was an astronomical amount of high-level athletes putting their talents on display. Testing numbers were higher overall from almost every position group, displaying the level of athleticism throughout the entire class.

Having a plethora of athletes to choose from is music to the ears of the Indianapolis Colts. The Colts and general manager Chris Ballard are known for drafting top-tier athletic prospects with high-end traits. Players like Anthony Richardson, Jelani Woods, and JuJu Brents posted some of the best athletic numbers for their respective positions at the combine and ended up as Colts.

Ballard and the Colts have made their focus this offseason clear. They want to add explosive playmakers on the offensive side of the ball and players who can limit explosive plays on defense. With that in mind, it is time to look at our first Colts 2024 mock draft with the combine in the rearview mirror.

Round 1 Pick 15: Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia

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With an expected run on quarterbacks, wide receivers, and offensive tackles in the first 10 picks, the Colts select one of the top prospects in the draft. Brock Bowers is listed as a tight end, but offensive playmaker is a more accurate description. At 6-3 and 240 pounds, Bowers is a tremendous athlete and weapon that can be used all over the field in Shane Steichen's offense.

Bowers possesses the ideal skillset for a tight end in today's NFL. He has hands of glue and is a tough, hard-nosed runner who excels at racking up yards after the catch. Bowers can also hold his own as a blocker. The Colts want to get more explosive on offense this offseason, and Bowers would be the perfect fit with Richardson.

Round 2 Pick 50: Jaden Hicks, S, Washington State

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TRADE: Colts send the No.46 (second round) pick to the Philadelphia Eagles for the No.50 (second round), No.171 (fifth round), and No.184 (sixth round) picks.

It would not be a Colts' draft without a trade-back. Ballard makes a deal with the Eagles and general manager Howie Roseman to fall back four spots in the second round and collect a couple of Day 3 picks. Even with the trade back, the Colts get an impact player.

Jaden Hicks provides the help at safety that the Colts desperately need. He is a great athlete with the speed to cover the deep zone or man up against tight ends and also makes plays versus the run with his closing ability. Hicks played at the Senior Bowl, an event the Colts take major stock in, and could fight for the starting free safety job from the jump.

Round 3 Pick 82: Cam Hart, CB, Notre Dame

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Cornerback is a position many think the Colts will add a veteran in free agency. With Brents and Jaylon Jones starting most of the 2023 season as rookies, experience is needed. That does not mean the position will not be addressed in the draft, and in this mock, the Colts continue to add to the secondary with another high-level athlete in the third round. 

Cam Hart has elite size and length at the cornerback position and uses his physicality to re-route wide receivers. His physicality is also on display when in press coverage. Hart, another player who took part in the Senior Bowl, could come in and compete for a starting cornerback spot with the Colts and contribute on special teams.

Round 4 Pick 118: Tanor Bortolini, C, Wisconsin

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The Colts' offensive line rebounded in a big way under new offensive line coach Tony Sparano Jr. Quenton Nelson and Ryan Kelly made it back to the Pro Bowl while Bernhard Raimann solidified himself as the team's franchise left tackle. But depth along the line is still in question, and the Colts need to plan for the future with Kelly heading into the back half of his career.

Tanor Bortolini was a star at the combine, showing off his athleticism and explosiveness. He possesses sound technique in the run and pass game and is rarely out of position. Bortolini has position versatility and can play both center and guard. With Will Fries in the last year of his deal, Bortolini could have the inside track to start at right guard in 2025 and beyond.

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Round 5 Pick 150: Ty'Ron Hopper, LB, Missouri

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Indy decided to part ways with former All-Pro linebacker Shaquille Leonard last season when Leonard could not return to his former self after multiple back surgeries. Zaire Franklin and E.J. Speed are entrenched as the team's starting linebackers, but depth is needed at the position.

Ty'Ron Hopper fits the mold of the Colts linebackers. He has great length and speed to move sideline to sideline and is a punishing tackler. While Hopper needs to work on his coverage ability, the linebacker has the traits to be a contributor at the position. Hopper would likely start as a core special teams player as he develops his game.

Round 5 Pick 171: Jalyx Hunt, Edge, Houston Christian

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The Colts love to take chances on Day 3 on small school prospects with high-end athletic traits. Last year, the Colts used a sixth-round pick on Titus Leo out of Wagner. This year, it is a fifth-round pick on Jalyx Hunt from Houston Christian, who the Colts got a good look at at the Senior Bowl.

Hunt is a former safety who has only played the edge rusher position for two years. His length (34 3/8-inch arms) and speed are enticing as a pass rusher, and he has shown an ability to bend around offensive tackles. Hunt will need to continue building out his frame and improve his play strength, but he is a developmental prospect worth taking a shot on in the later rounds.

Round 6 Pick 184: Isaiah Davis, RB, South Dakota State

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The Colts are set at running back with Jonathan Taylor on a new contract extension. Evan Hull, who missed most of his rookie season due to a knee injury, is also expected to play a sizable role as the receiving back. But with Zack Moss heading for free agency, depth is still needed.

Isaiah Davis is a big, powerful back who is tough to bring down one-on-one. While he likely won't make many people miss in the open field, Davis is a bruiser, specializing in inside runs and picking up tough yardage. Davis can also be used as a pass catcher with reliable hands and the burst to get upfield after the catch. The running back was also at the Senior Bowl this year.

Round 6 Pick 193: Jaden Crumedy, DT, Mississippi State

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One of the areas the Colts struggled with last season was depth behind Grover Stewart. When Stewart missed six games due to a suspension, the Colts run defense was abysmal. Finding players who can hold up against the run on the inside is paramount.

Jaden Crumedy could be the run-stuffing defensive tackle the Colts have needed behind Stewart. Another Senior Bowl alum (notice a pattern?), Crumedy is a great athlete for his size who excels at eating up double teams and stopping running backs in their tracks. While he still has work to do as a pass rusher, Crumedy is a powerful defensive lineman that can close the pocket with his power. Crumedy is a perfect fit for the Colts as the backup 1-Tech

Round 7 Pick 232: Ryan Flournoy, WR, Southeast Missouri State

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Adding Bowers in the first goes a long way toward bringing more explosiveness to the Colts' offense. But the Colts want to add depth to their wide receiver group as well, with Ballard mentioning he did not do a good enough job of providing depth at the position last season. Providing that depth is another Senior Bowl and combine standout in Ryan Flournoy.

Flournoy meets all of the athletic thresholds the Colts typically look for in wide receivers with his size, speed, and explosiveness. Flournoy has a great football IQ and is at his best finding soft spots in zones where he can settle down and make the catch. While he will need to improve his route running and against press coverage, Flournoy gives the Colts solid depth at wide receiver and a player who can play on special teams. 

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