Mel Kiper predicts Colts land a top quarterback at No. 4 in his first 2023 NFL mock draft

Draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. has done his first mock draft for the 2023 Draft and he predicts the Indianapolis Colts land a top quarterback.

Mel Kiper Jr. is one of the most famous draft analysts in the NFL world. Kiper has an interesting history with the Indianapolis Colts but fans are likely going to love Kiper’s prediction for the Colts in his first mock draft for the 2023 NFL Draft. Kiper predicts that Indianapolis will be able to sit at No. 4 and select Alabama’s quarterback Bryce Young. This is arguably the best-case scenario for Indy in the draft.

Kiper didn’t predict any trades at the top of the draft, so he projected the two top defensive prospects Jalen Carter and Will Anderson to the Chicago Bears and Arizona Cardinals. Kiper has the Houston Texans selecting CJ Stroud at No. 2 and that leaves the Colts taking Bryce Young with the fourth-overall pick. Kiper highlights the size concerns for Young but ultimately says, “ I love his tape, though, and I’d be willing to bet on his talent.”

Many argue that Bryce Young may have the best skills of any quarterback in the draft, but his size makes it likely that a team like the Colts, who have historically valued size, will select CJ Stroud or Will Levis over Young. Well, Kiper doesn’t believe that Indy will have the opportunity to take Stroud unless they jump the Texans, and he also thinks Indy will opt for Young over Levis.

Colts select Bryce Young at No. 4 in Mel Kiper’s mock draft

This would be the best-case scenario for Indianapolis because they land arguably the top quarterback in the draft class and do so without having to trade away anything. Obviously, if Ballard believes in a guy and thinks he has to go up to No. 1 to get him, fans would certainly be supportive of the trade. However, every team would love to get their guy without having to trade players or picks to make it happen.

Will Bryce Young be the Colts’ guy? A lot still has to happen before that can even be decided. For starters, Indy has to decide on a head coach. After that, the team will begin the evaluation period and learn more about all of the quarterbacks at the scouting combine and their respective pro days. Whether it’s Young or Stroud, fans would definitely be happy if Indianapolis came away with one or the other without having to trade up.

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