ESPN Predictor: What if Colts Don't Take QB in 1st Round?

The Indianapolis Colts have been linked to virtually every available quarterback for the last six months. The endless speculation should mercifully come to an end on Thursday night, but it could bleed into the second-round of the NFL Draft according to ESPN's new Draft Day Predictor.

The Colts are still heavy favorites to take a quarterback with the No. 4 overall pick, with Will Levis in first place with a 20% chance of being the pick.

But if the Colts decide to pass on a quarterback at No. 4, they automatically become one of the favorite landing spots for Tennessee's Hendon Hooker.

The Draft Day Predictor thinks Hooker is more likely to last into Round 2 than being drafted in Round 1, and one slightly counterintuitive spot Hooker could land would be pick No. 35, owned by the Indianapolis Colts. The model isn't going to assume any team is going to do anything 100% of the time, and so in the event the Colts don't take a quarterback at No. 4 or in the first-round, they become serious candidates to select Hooker at No. 35. -- Seth Walder, ESPN Analytics

If the Colts could guarantee they could get Hooker in the second round, they may be tempted to take one of the top position players in the draft at No. 4.

Would getting Alabama edge rusher Will Anderson and Hooker be a good start to the Colts' draft?

Trading back from the No. 4 spot and taking Hooker while picking up additional premium draft picks could be an option as well.

By being patient leading up to the draft, the Colts have suddenly found themselves with a variety of options. The most likely option is that Indianapolis still takes a quarterback at No. 4.

If the Colts don't, keep a close eye on Hooker.