Multiple experts believe Colts won’t select receiver at No. 42
The Indianapolis Colts need to find a receiver in the NFL Draft but experts think they may go a different direction with their first pick.
The NFL Draft is approaching and soon there will be many more talented players joining the league. This is the time when franchises hope to find the player of the future for the team’s positions of need.
The Indianapolis Colts have multiple positions of need. The top ones are wide receiver, left tackle, corner, and tight end. Without a first-round pick, many started to believe the Colts were a lock to draft a receiver at No. 42 overall.
However, that prediction isn’t so sure anymore, as many experts are starting to believe Indy may lean in a different direction for its first pick. In recent mock drafts, left tackle is the popular position for Indianapolis in the second round.
Trevor Penning would be such a Chris Ballard pick. #Colts pic.twitter.com/WY4x4HMl0d
— Locked On Colts Podcast (@LockedOnColts) February 4, 2022
Some experts predict Colts draft left tackle in second round
In a two-round mock draft by PFF, Anthony Treash has Indianapolis selecting Trevor Penning at No. 42 overall. Penning is the tackle out of Northern Iowa that has gained steam for his physical play style that occasionally goes too far.
Scouts say that he plays with a natural nastiness that can’t be coached. That’s something you want in linemen but many experts admit that whatever team gets Penning may have to teach him to dial it back some.
In Pro Football Network’s four-round mock draft, Oliver Hodgkinson has the Colts selecting Bernhard Raimann out of Central Michigan. Raimann is a tight end turned tackle, so he brings great athleticism to the linemen position.
While he grades out as a good prospect, Raimann is still new to the tackle position. He transitioned in 2020, after two seasons in college, so he may have some growing pains as well.
Both Penning and Raimann would look good next to Quenton Nelson and if they pan out, Indianapolis would finally have the left tackle position figured out. But, should Indy draft a tackle first?
Should Colts draft tackle or receiver first?
Both are positions of need in Indianapolis and both are considered to be a deep draft class. That means Indy should be able to circle back and get a talented player at the other position later in the draft.
In the same Pro Football Network mock draft that had Indy selecting Raimann at No. 42, they also had the Colts drafting receiver John Metchie in the third round.
If everything goes well, Indianapolis should be able to finish day two of the draft with a talented receiver and tackle. However, it may be wise to get a receiver first.
Chris Ballard and the Colts have expressed their belief in Matt Pryor at left tackle, so there’s a chance that whatever tackle is selected may not even start.
Since that’s the case, it makes sense for Indianapolis to make wide receiver the priority since they will be guaranteed playing time.
