Indianapolis Colts 2018 Mock Draft 1.0

How will the Colts finish the mock draft (Photo by Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images)
How will the Colts finish the mock draft (Photo by Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images)

This 2018 NFL Draft will be critical for the future of the Colts’ organization. How will Chris Ballard and the rest of Indianapolis’ front office choose to use their draft picks?

We’ve discussed the possibility of trading down from the third overall pick before the NFL Draft rolls around in May, and that’s what the Colts will do in our first mock draft at Horseshoe Heroes.

There are plenty of teams around the league who would love to trade up in order to select a franchise quarterback for the future. The Washington Redskins may be one of those quarterback-needy teams if Kirk Cousins decides to leave in free agency.

Many experts in the league expect Cousins to play elsewhere in 2018, so Washington will be desperate to find a quarterback in this draft and they’ll be willing to trade up to do so.

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The Colts would welcome a deal with Washington to move back to the 13th overall pick in exchange for a boatload of assets. In our mock draft, Indianapolis receives Washington’s 2019 first round pick, a 2018 third round pick, a 2018 fourth round pick, and a 2018 seventh round pick.

With that 13th pick in the NFL Draft, the Colts will select guard Quenton Nelson out of Notre Dame.

One of the Colts’ biggest needs this offseason is offensive guard. Quenton Nelson is the best guard prospect in this draft class, and he’s probably the best offensive lineman coming out of college.

Indianapolis needs to do a better job of protecting Andrew Luck in 2018, and that begins by fixing their issues on the interior of the offensive line. With this trade, the Colts get an elite offensive lineman and plenty of draft capital in exchange for moving down the draft board.

Next: Will Josh McDaniels be Able to Succeed After Leaving Bill Belichick?

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