Colts get Offensive Playmaker in ESPN's Latest NFL Mock Draft
The Indianapolis Colts' season came to an abrupt end on Saturday night, but head coach Shane Steichen built a lot of positive momentum in his 9-8 season.
Eyes turn towards free agency and the NFL Draft this spring, and the Colts will be picking No. 15 in April's draft.
Jordan Reid released his second NFL Mock Draft this week on ESPN+. In his first iteration, the Colts were picking No. 11, and he went with Florida State wide receiver Keon Coleman.
He stayed in the ballpark this time around at No. 15, but he added some size with Georgia Bulldogs tight end Brock Bowers (6'4/240).
"Coach Shane Steichen did a great job with this Colts team after losing rookie QB Anthony Richardson four games into the season, but the Colts should keep building around him (especially if free agent receiver Michael Pittman Jr. doesn't return)," wrote Reid on ESPN+.
"This pick is simply about Bowers being the best player on the board, even if tight end is not an immediate position of need. Bowers is a game-changer who led all FBS tight ends in receiving yards after contact (494) and finished second in forced missed tackles (18) despite being limited to 10 games. He can play in-line, flexed out or even in the backfield."
One might argue that tight end is a position of need for the Colts. They've taken a tight end in each of the last-three drafts. However, the Colts still didn't have a tight end finish with more than 400 yards this year (Kylen Granson, 368).
Four tight ends had at least 100-yards receiving, but Bowers could put a stop to the tight end by committee approach the Colts were forced to employ in 2023. Bowers has been as high as No. 5 overall on Mel Kiper's Big Board (also on ESPN+).
Coleman has fallen some on Reid's board since his initial mock. He goes No. 17 to the Jacksonville Jaguars. If Michael Pittman does exit via free agency, Bowers could fill in as a primary target even if he's not a one-for-one replacement at wide receiver.
