NFL.com Reveals Colts Pick in Post-Combine Mock Draft
The Indianapolis Colts surprised some people around the league when they fought for a playoff spot until the final whistle in Week 18 last year.
That the Colts came up one-game short of the playoffs despite losing starting quarterback Anthony Richardson in Week 4 is a testament to first-year head coach Shane Steichen, the play of backup Gardner Minshew, and the depth of the roster.
NFL Draft analysts have been split on where the Colts will go with the No. 15 overall pick to help with a playoff push in 2024.
Early in the process, offensive skill players were the rage. However, there has been momentum building towards shoring up the secondary with Daniel Jeremiah of NFL.com and Mel Kiper on ESPN both selecting cornerbacks for the Colts.
Jeremiah had the Colts picking Clemson's Nate Wiggins, and Kiper went with Alabama's Terrion Arnold last week before the NFL Combine.
NFL.com's most recent mock draft, this one from Lance Zierlein has the Colts reverting back to getting a new weapon for Richardson and Steichen. Georgia tight end Brock Bowers is the selection at No. 15.
"Bowers didn't work out at the combine, so there won't be much new buzz about him, but he's highly regarded in team circles," wrote Zierlein on NFL.com. "In fact, there is a belief within those circles that he'll be gone before this spot. In my mock, though, he's still available -- so, you're welcome, Anthony Richardson and Shane Steichen.
Bowers is so highly thought of that he's been a popular pick at No. 5 for the LA Chargers. The positional value of tight end is the only thing that might keep Bowers out of the top ten.
Horseshoe Huddle's Andrew Moore agrees with the pick. In his post-combine, seven-round mock draft for the Colts, he chose Bowers as well.
"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," wrote Moore. "Brock Bowers is listed as a tight end, but offensive playmaker is a more accurate description."
If the Bowers is gone before the Colts are on the clock, Arnold is still available. He goes two picks later to the Jacksonville Jaguars in Zierlein's mock.
Wiggins falls to No. 20 and is picked by the Steelers. If the Colts decide to stick on the offensive side of the ball, wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. of LSU is next off the board at No. 18 to the Bengals.
Despite drafting in the middle of round one, the Colts are going to have some very good options when they're on the clock. Several of the players they like will be gone, that's the nature of picking at No. 15.
However, this is a deep class in the first round and the Colts should have possibilities at wide receiver, cornerback, and edge rusher should Bowers be off the board.
The NFL Draft is scheduled to kick off on Thursday evening, April 24th.
