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Colts 7-round 2023 NFL mock draft 2.0: Weapons for a rookie quarterback

By Pacey Strickland

PISCATAWAY, NJ - OCTOBER 07: Trey Palmer #3 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers in action against Desmond Igbinosun #4 of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights during a game at SHI Stadium on October 7, 2022 in Piscataway, New Jersey. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
PISCATAWAY, NJ - OCTOBER 07: Trey Palmer #3 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers in action against Desmond Igbinosun #4 of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights during a game at SHI Stadium on October 7, 2022 in Piscataway, New Jersey. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /
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ATHENS, GA – OCTOBER 08: Nolan Smith #4 of the Georgia Bulldogs looks to the sideline in the first half against the Auburn Tigers at Sanford Stadium on October 8, 2022 in Athens, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images) /

Scouting Report. Georgia. player. Pick Analysis. EDGE. Nolan Smith . 36. 46

The Indianapolis Colts trade back with the Rams and select EDGE Nolan Smith in the second round (36th overall)

This seems to be the typical move that the Colts would make under current general manager Chris Ballard. In this trade, Indy trades one spot back and receives an additional sixth-round pick. In this spot, I believe the team will look to fill a need at an important position: edge rusher.

Nolan Smith was the top recruit in the 2019 recruiting class and he did not disappoint. Smith won Defensive Newcomer of the Year in 2019. Smith is also a two-time National Champion, but he did not play in the championship this past season due to a torn pectoral muscle.

With Yannick Ngakoue possibly leaving Indianapolis in free agency, the team needs to put someone on the other side of Kwity Paye. This pick is the ultimate high-upside selection. Smith never fully lived up to his hype at Georgia, but a large part of that is due to the players that surrounded him.

Smith totaled 12 quarterback hurries this season and three sacks. However, he only played eight games before his season ended due to injury. Although Smith has not exactly become the pass rusher many people thought he would be, he does excel in run defense.

Nolan Smith struggled to stand out on a loaded Georgia defense but I still think the potential is too high to overlook him at this point in the draft. Smith is one of the best run defenders in the draft and he has a higher upside than most players at his position.

The main knock on Nolan Smith is his lack of production. His highest sack total in four years was only 3.5 sacks. Smith isn’t a refined pass rusher yet and he has a slender frame. He has all the athleticism needed, but he just does not have the moves needed to rush the passer.

Nolan Smith is an electric athlete and he is simply the type of player you have to take a look at in the second round. Smith is a first-round talent, but he has day-two or three production. This is the type of pick that will make Chris Ballard look like a genius if it works and possibly makes him look really bad if it goes badly.

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