Colts first round mock draft 3.0

With most of the big names in free agency done moving around, it’s time to look at where the Colts stand with their first round selection.

The Colts have addressed their two biggest needs during free agency. They signed a big-time pass rusher in Justin Houston and signed a bigger receiver in Devin Funchess. But Funchess is only on a one-year deal. That means the Colts still need a long-term answer at receiver.

They also re-signed Clayton Geathers, which means he will stay as their starting strong safety. It would have made sense for them to draft a safety in the first round if they hadn’t done that after addressing the other two needs, but now that is not the case. So who do the Colts take?

Chris Ballard loves people who have produced in college. He has taken chances on high-ceiling guys later in the draft, but not with a first round pick. That’s why A.J. Brown makes sense. He has the highest level of production of any of the top receivers.

Brown had two consecutive years of over 1,000 yards receiving while having average to below-average quarterbacks throwing him the ball. He also caught 17 touchdowns in those two seasons. He would be a reliable target for Andrew Luck for years to come.

Brown is also someone who is relatively large at 6-1 225 pounds. He is bigger than T.Y. Hilton and could be someone who could be a red zone threat. Having him in the slot next to Funchess and Hilton with Eric Ebron at tight end could be a dangerous threat.

The Colts are in a really unique position this year because now they don’t have any glaring weaknesses. They have spots that aren’t as strong as others, but no fatal flaws. That’s what makes this first round pick so interesting. There’s several different directions it could go.

The draft is only a month away now, so we will learn the decision soon. Look out for an extended mock draft very soon.