Mock Draft: What if the Colts don't Trade Up
It's becoming rarer and rarer to find an NFL mock draft in which the Indianapolis Colts don't trade up to take a quarterback, but Daniel Jeremiah of NFL.com banned trades in his latest mock draft.
So what does it look like at No. 4 for the Colts if they don't make a move?
Jeremiah has the Colts taking quarterback C.J. Stroud from Ohio State after Alabama's Bryce Young goes off the board at No. 2 to the Houston Texans.
The Colts need to turn the page on their recent approach to the game's most important position: cycling through veteran arms. Stroud will be a great fit with new head coach Shane Steichen in Indy. -- Daniel Jeremiah, NFL.com
This isn't the first time the Colts have been linked with Stroud. In fact Stroud was the pick in one of the first mock drafts of the cycle. On December 1st, Stroud was the pick for the Colts at No. 14.
We made two predictions that day about that mock draft. First, Stroud wouldn't last until 14th, and second the Colts wouldn't be picking at 14.
The latter has come true and we feel pretty good about the former.
Stroud's huge performance against the Georgia Bulldogs in the College Football Playoff has put him back in contention for the No. 1 overall pick. Young isn't likely to get past No. 2.
While Jeremiah has the Bears taking defensive lineman Jalen Carter from Georgia, Chicago wants to move down from that spot and the Colts have been the most common trade partner.
Colts owner Jim Irsay alluded to Young at Shane Steichen's introductory press conference, and if Young is their guy, he's not going to be there at No. 4. Stroud likely won't be there either.
Jeremiah didn't have any trades in his latest mock draft, but it's a good bet the top four don't remain the top four on draft day.
If they stay at four and still want a quarterback, Florida's Anthony Richardson and Kentucky's Will Levis will be the other quarterbacks in play. One of Richardson, Levis or Stroud will be available for the Colts.
But if the Colts want Young or possibly Stroud, they're going to have to move up to make it happen.
