Colts Go Defense in Mel Kiper's Latest Mock Draft
Early in the mock draft process, offensive playmakers were the rage for the Indianapolis Colts. However it seems lately, everyone has been picking defensive back for the Colts at No. 15.
That includes the Godfather of draft analysts Mel Kiper Jr. who dropped his latest post-free agency mock draft on ESPN+ on Tuesday. Kiper has the Colts selecting fast-rising cornerback Quinyon Mitchell from Toledo.
In a draft loaded on offense, the Colts get their pick of corners at No. 15.
"Finally, the first cornerback off the board. It's not because this isn't a good group of corners -- it's more about the elite prospects at other positions," wrote Kiper Jr. on ESPN+. "I have four CBs in my top 25 overall but don't have top-10 grades on any of them. The best of the bunch is Mitchell, who has been moving up since a spectacular performance in Mobile, Alabama, in early February at Senior Bowl practices. Then he ran a 4.33-second 40-yard dash at the combine, making my list of risers. He had six interceptions over his final two college seasons.
"As for the pairing in Indianapolis, the Colts don't have a No. 1 corner and desperately have to add talent at the position. Luckily they're in a good spot to do that in this draft."
The Colts finished middle of the pack last season in passing yards allowed at 16th despite having the fifth-most sacks. Improvements on the back end of the defense make sense.
Kiper Jr.'s colleague at ESPN Field Yates agrees. He had the Colts take Mitchell at No. 15 in his mock last week.
"The Colts retained cornerback Kenny Moore II on a three-year deal, but he plays in the slot, so outside cornerback should probably be the target position here," wrote Yates on ESPN+. "Mitchell is a terrific fit. He has an elite combination of size (6 feet, 195 pounds), speed (4.33-second 40-yard dash at the combine) and ball skills (32 pass breakups and six interceptions over the past two seasons)."
Indianapolis invested in cornerback in last year's draft. They took JuJu Brents in the second round and Jaylon Jones in the seventh. The rookies had their growing pains, but adding a player like Mitchell to the mix would go a long way towards shoring up the Colts' leaky secondary.
