Colts: 3 playmakers Indy can draft in first round if they pass on QB

2. Alabama CB Patrick Surtain II

With a need to address the secondary, the Colts could look to Patrick Surtain II.

The only reason Patrick Surtain didn’t rank higher on this list is because it’s extremely unlikely that he falls to No. 21. However, some of the latest mocks have him going in the late teens, and if that ends up happening, we see no reason why the Colts shouldn’t trade up a few spots to draft him.

Widely regarded as one of the top two or three cornerback prospects in the 2021 class — some scouts have him No. 1 — Surtain would fill a huge need for the Colts, who could end up losing secondary standouts Xavier Rhodes and TJ Carrie to free agency this offseason.

Assuming that Rhodes walks and Carrie is re-signed to maintain his dominance in the slot, Surtain could slot right in as a starter on the perimeter opposite Rock Ya-Sin. That might be a tall ask for a rookie, but the Alabama product played against some of the best receiving talents in the country over his three years in Tuscaloosa.

During that span, Surtain compiled 116 tackles (six for loss), four interceptions, one of which was returned for a touchdown, 24 passes defended, and four forced fumbles. Those are ridiculous numbers for a college cornerback, and they don’t even accentuate the greatest aspect of his game: discipline and poise in coverage.

Over 916 snaps this past season, Surtain didn’t commit a single penalty. That’ll be a welcome sight for fans after Ya-Sin really struggled in that department in 2020. If somebody can point out a downside to the Colts drafting one of the best cornerback prospects in the mid to late first round, please come forward, because we aren’t seeing it.