Colts Nab Electric WR in ESPN's First NFL Mock Draft
The Indianapolis Colts are 3-4 after seven games of the NFL season, but there are big reasons for optimism in head coach Shane Steichen's first season.
The Colts appear to have hit big on several of their picks in Steichen's first draft including quarterback Anthony Richardson, cornerback JuJu Brents and wide receiver Josh Downs.
The Colts are 10th in total offense and sixth in scoring offense despite having to shuffle Richardson and Gardner Minshew at quarterback because of injuries.
NFL Draft analyst Jordan Reid released his first mock draft on ESPN+, and he likes the idea of doubling down on offense in the first round with another playmaker for Steichen and Richardson.
ESPN's Football Power Index has the Colts selecting No. 11 overall in 2024, and with that pick Reid takes wide receiver Keon Coleman from Florida State.
"One of the biggest beneficiaries of the transfer portal, Coleman has exploded since transferring from Michigan State to Florida State," wrote Reid on ESPN+. "At 6-foot-3 and 215 pounds, he has the ability to make a wide array of catches. Since the beginning of last season, Coleman leads the FBS in contested touchdown catches (10).
"Having that type of target to go along with Michael Pittman Jr., Alec Pierce and a surging Josh Downs could be huge for a young passer like Richardson. (Plus, Pittman is a free agent after the 2023 season, which means there could be an open spot on the depth chart.)"
Just a season ago the biggest concern for the Colts was having enough offensive weapons. Adding Coleman to mix that also includes Zack Moss and Jonathan Taylor almost feels like overkill.
Reid also suggests cornerback and edge are the biggest needs, along with wide receiver, for the Colts in 2024. Without Pittman, wide receiver is an absolute must in 2024.
Coleman's teammate at FSU, edge rusher Jared Verse, goes No. 12 to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and cornerback Kalen King of Penn State is picked at No. 17 to the LA Chargers.
Edge rushers Bralen Trice and Laiatu Latu of Washington and UCLA respectively go back to back to the Atlanta Falcons and Minnesota Vikings at No. 19 and No. 20.
The Colts hope they won't be picking at No. 11 in the 2024 NFL Draft, but Reid gave us a glimpse at some of the players that could be available to help fill the biggest needs moving forward.
