Colts 7-Round 2022 NFL Mock Draft 3.0: Finding the answer at quarterback

The Indianapolis Colts traded away Carson Wentz so now they may be looking to put a new starter under center through the draft.

Entering the offseason, the Indianapolis Colts were just a few positional players away from building an elite-caliber team with minor upgrading to do. That sailed out the window when the Colts traded Carson Wentz to the Washington Commanders, seemingly falling back into a rebuilding stage rather than a reloading stage.

There are some aspects of the trade that are enticing, adding more draft picks and moving up five spots in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft is definitely ideal. But the ever-longing need for a new franchise QB skyrockets to the top of the board.

Replicating a season where the QB posted top-15 caliber statistics is not an easy feat to achieve. Chris Ballard and Indy have to hit on every draft pick, while also hard-charging for improvements in free agency.

Indy gained a substantial amount of cap space in the Wentz deal, with Washington taking on the entirety of the $28.3 million hit. Indianapolis surfaced to the NFL’s highest rank with just over $69.8 million in cap room according to Over the Cap.

Sam Ehlinger, whom the Colts have high hopes for, is the only quarterback on the roster in Indianapolis. But is he the answer at the position?

Ehlinger was a sixth-round draft pick just one year ago and didn’t play any meaningful snaps this season. Far from promising.

The Colts still could make a move in free agency by signing one of the confounding available quarterbacks. Avoiding another experimental carousel should be a priority. Instead, Indy should go after its best fit in an extravagant QB class.

We’ll be using the mock draft simulator at Pro Football Network as we put on our GM caps to make all nine of the Colts’ picks ahead of the 2022 NFL Draft that takes place in late April.

Colts draft QB Desmond Ridder in the second round

Desmond Ridder was one of the biggest winners of the 2022 NFL Scouting Combine. After raising his draft stock with an impressive performance, it’s no question why Indy would have its sights set on for this former Bearcat.

At Cincinnati, Ridder was a four-year starter and team leader. Both traits the Colts desperately need at the position. His mobility from the pocket highlights his ability as a semi dual-threat QB and his 4.52 official 40 time proves his quickness.

Fundamentally, Ridder is a work in progress but as a second-round selection, he can improve with the coaching from Frank Reich and staff in the problematic areas.

Adding a player that amassed more than 12,000 yards and 87 touchdowns to a backfield with the NFL’s leading rusher is just about as dynamic you can get for an offense.

*The Colts picked up an additional third round draft pick from the Washington Commanders.*

Colts select OT Bernhard Raimann in third round

Bernhard Raimann fits the ideal mold of what it means to be a Colts offensive lineman, strong, versatile, and dependable. All of that sums up his time at Central Michigan. The former tight end transitioned to tackle in 2020 and has completely overachieved.

Sliding him next to a generational talent in Quenton Nelson increases his already adaptive ability to fully understand the position and improve instinctively and fundamentally. Naturally, his quickness derives from his athleticism and would be absolutely ideal at left tackle.

Raimann is easily coached with impressive ability, his molding personality would fit right into what Indy ultimately desire as a protector for their new QB.

Colts select WR David Bell in third round

The Indianapolis native and fan favorite stays close to home as the Colts make their final pick of day two.

This one is just too easy. Honestly, just what the offense needs, a sure-fire No. 2 receiver with potential to be a true No. 1 in the NFL. David Bell is a home-run third-round pick for Indianapolis.

Bell ended his senior season at Purdue with 93 receptions for 1,286 yards and six touchdowns in 11 starts earning first-team AP All American, Big 10 Receiver of the Year, and a finalist for the Biletnikoff Award.

After prioritizing the offensive side of the ball, the Colts go strong defense these rounds.

Colts select CB Alontae Taylor

A ball hawk at Tennessee, Taylor is a zone corner fit for the Colts new defensive scheme. His ability to target the ball from a Cover 2 stance is incredibly instinctive, and in Cover 3, he’s equally aggressive.

His 4.36 official 40-yard dash adds great speed to the defensive backfield, while also carrying the ability to be a great acquisition to one of the best special teams units the NFL has to offer.

Colts select DE Tre Williams

Indianapolis adds the impressive Williams to its core of pass rushers. Williams racked up 8.5 sacks and 15 tackles for loss at Missouri before grad-transferring to Arkansas in 2021. His knack for getting to the quarterback increased drastically as he capped off his college career with six more sacks and 6.5 more TFLs. Predicted as a rotational player, adding a pass rush is a pure need for the defense.

Colts select CB Joshua Williams

Closing out the fifth round with another corner, what a pick this is. Williams played both corner and safety for the HBCU Broncos but excelled in press-man coverage on the outside. In two seasons at FSU, J-Will had at least six pass breakups while in coverage. His versatility and large 6-foot 3 frame add extensive depth to a CB room that suffered at times with inconsistent play.

Colts add more weapons and a defensive stud in the final rounds.

Colts select WR Danny Gray

Last year, Indianapolis drafted a tight end from SMU. This year they draft his former teammate Danny Gray. The speedy wideout posted the fourth-fastest 40-yard dash time at the Combine. At SMU his 4.34 speed was vital to his 800-yard, nine-touchdown season, which led him to be selected as a First-Team All-American from the Atlantic Conference. The Colts could use his playmaking ability to add to their arsenal.

Colts select LB James Houston IV

You look good, you feel good. You feel good, you play good. You play good, you get drafted good. Or whatever current Jackson State head coach Deion Sanders said. James Houston is a stud on the field. The Florida Gator transferred to the HBCU Jackson State and absolutely delivered. He can pass rush, and play Mike linebacker. No questions asked.

Colts select TE Jelani Woods

The final pick of the 2022 draft for Indianapolis was in the works dating back to the East-West Shrine Game. Jelani Woods was drawing comparisons to Indy free agent Mo Alie-Cox.

At 6-foot-7, Woods is a monster at TE. At the Combine, he put up the most bench press reps at the position with 24 and ran the second-fastest 40. His final year at Virginia, Jelani logged 44 catches for just under 600 yards and eight touchdowns.

Realistic quarterback options for Colts after trading Carson Wentz

After trading away Carson Wentz, the Indianapolis Colts will look to veteran quarterbacks to fill the team’s void. Here’s some realistic options.