Everything about the Indianapolis Colts has shifted so radically in the past month that it is hard to maintain any perspective on where the roster stands heading into the final weeks of the season. The implosion, which saw Indy go from “best team in the league” to “biggest disappointment of the year,” happened so fast that it is easy to overlook a few things.
First, apart from a sleepy performance against Jacksonville in Week 14, Shane Steichen’s team has been in every game it has played. During its season-ruining four-game skid, three of those losses came by a combined nine points.
In its second-worst loss of the season, the Colts very nearly overcame six turnovers on the road against a probable playoff team in a seven-point loss to Pittsburgh. And they very likely would have defeated a Super Bowl favorite on the road if not for a careless fumble by the now-departed Adonai Mitchell.
Indianapolis Colts 7-round NFL mock draft
On the other hand, the lack of depth on the roster has been exposed by crucial injuries. General manager Chris Ballard has been in charge for nine years, and his team has won exactly one playoff game. Andrew Luck’s retirement obviously created a major problem, and Ballard’s meandering approach to solving it has left scars.
So we approach this mock draft with plenty of uncertainty. Primarily, we don’t know if it will be Chris Ballard conducting the actual draft come April. So we’ll take a centrist approach, picking the players best suited to help Indy rebound from this difficult season, regardless of Ballard’s drafting tendencies.
The Colts currently are projected to have seven picks in the upcoming draft. Trades and the official confirmation of compensatory picks could change that, but for now, we’ll go with seven.
They traded their first-round pick as part of the Sauce Gardner deal. They still retain their native picks in rounds two-through-five and in round seven. They are currently projected to have a couple of late round compensatory selections.
Round 2, pick 49: Germie Bernard, WR, Alabama
I want it known that I conducted this mock prior to Alabama’s win over Oklahoma in the first round of the college football playoffs. That means this choice was not affected by Bernard’s sensational catch in that game. But that catch did illustrate what the Alabama product is so good at.
He is not a burner, but he has exceptional hands and body control. He runs pro-level routes. And he has the length, agility, and savvy to run out of any position on the field.
Bernard is not another Michael Pittman. He doesn’t have anywhere near Pittman’s size or power. But Indy is going to have to start preparing for life after Pittman, who is signed through 2026. He has a massive cap hit next year. Ideally, Indy will work out an extension with rising star Alex Pierce.
Bernard would pair very nicely with Pierce primarily because of his versatility. He does not play like Pittman, but he could serve in a similar role as a reliable possession receiver, freeing up Pierce to run deeper routes.
Round 3, pick 82: Dametrius Crownover, OT, Texas A & M
Physical specimens like Crownover don’t show up every day. 6’7”, 335 pounds, and arms that seem to extend forever, you could hardly design a more perfect tackle. He has played on the right side, which means he could step in opposite Bernhard Reimann early on. He will need some development, but with a little time, he could easily grow into a dominant right tackle.
Braden Smith’s future remains murky. The Colts do have a few potential replacements in-house, but none have the upside of Crownover.
Round 4, pick 117: Zion Young, E, Missouri
To be honest, I took long, hard looks at edge rushers with the Colts’ first two picks. Leaving the unsettled quarterback position aside for a moment, this is Indy’s biggest need. But there were no edges worthy of the pick when Indy was on the clock in rounds two and three. In an ideal world, that suggests trading down is a good option.
However, I was very happy to find Young available in the fourth round. He has excellent size and length, and is a legitimate two-way player. He can rush the passer, and is far from a liability against the run. In fact, some scouts see his edge-setting as his best attribute.
He is a team captain for the Tigers and has been a relentless presence in the offensive backfield. The elephant in the room for Young right now is a recent arrest for suspicion of DUI. Whether or not that affects his draft status remains to be seen.
Round 5, pick 158: Dontay Corleone: DT, Cincinnati
Corleone returned from a serious medical condition that impacted his 2024 season, and seems ready to take the next step. He physical attributes are almost beyond belief. He bench presses 485 pounds and deadlifts 700. Despite his size – 6’1”, 335 pounds – he shows exceptional quickness.
Much like Dametrius Crownover, with proper development, it is easy to see Corleone becoming a dominant force on the inside.
He will need time, but what better apprenticeship could he have than playing behind DeForest Buckner and Grover Stewart for a while? The Colts must restock in the middle of the defensive line, and Corleone brings huge value in round five. The Godfather connection is pure gravy.
Round 6, pick 214: Austin Romaine, LB, Kansas State
Romaine is a straight-ahead run-stopping inside linebacker who attacks the ball relentlessly. The Colts will have an interesting decision to make regarding Germaine Pratt, who has been among their best defenders since arriving a month into the season. The decision will be even more complicated if defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo gets a head coaching job. Pratt may want to tag along.
Even if Pratt returns to play alongside Zaire Franklin, the Colts are very thin at linebacker. Romaine will be a solid special teamer immediately and should be able to fit into the defense in relatively short order. The biggest concern is how well he can adjust to NFL-level pass coverage.
Round 7, pick 232: Greg Johnson, IOL, Minnesota
Johnson is a bit of a dark horse in this year’s draft. I’m not certain he will come out. He probably would benefit from staying in school and gathering another season’s worth of experience in the Big 10. But if he is available, I’d snap him up in the final round.
He offers excellent size and has the versatility to play either center or guard. The Colts have three stellar interior linemen right now, but they need more depth. Johnson is an ideal developmental candidate.
Round 7, pick 249: Mike Washington, RB, Arkansas
Washington is not the 2025 prototype running back. He isn’t a lightning-quick, low-center-of-gravity back who can both overpower and outrun defenders. In other words, he is not the next Johnathan Taylor.
He is a throwback. A very powerful runner with a thick frame who can pound the ball at opposing defenses. But don’t let that size fool you. He is not likely to run away from NFL defenders, but he has very good speed, a surprising burst in hitting holes, and shows good hands on swing passes in the flat.
Washington reminds me a lot of San Francisco 49er RB Brian Robinson, who was not necessarily a great fit as the lead back in Washington, but has been a solid partner for Christian McCaffrey in San Francisco. Washington can help lessen the burden on Taylor.