The day has arrived, and we can finally put out our final mock draft and see how it all turns out starting tonight. We have three days of drafting to take in and analyze. All the rumors and hope will be revealed, and we will have plenty to talk about after it is completed. Let’s dive into our final mock draft of the season.
Round 1-Pick 14
Colston Loveland/TE-Michigan
Not budging from my belief here that Loveland is the guy. Do I think Penn State Tight End Tyler Warren could be in play? Without question. I don’t think he will be available, and I still believe that Loveland is the better choice for this franchise
The chatter is that taking a tight end this early is not ideal. While it’s a valid argument the fact of the matter is, this is the biggest need for the Colts. Like a quarterback, sometimes you must reach for a desperate need. They have two prospects that are worthy of a first-round pick. They can help instantly help whoever wins the quarterback battle heading into the season
Round 2-Pick 45
Carson Schwesinger/LB-UCLA
Plenty of bloggers (me included) have mocked him in this position. While not officially, I have said that I like him in this spot. No one has ever questioned the scouting staff on finding linebackers. Ballard and his staff excel at scouting this position.
Schwesinger brings some new life into this currently depleted linebacker room. The departure of EJ Speed and Grant Stuard must be replaced. This pick allows the team to not only add competition but he has the talent and ability to win the starting job in camp.
Round 3-Pick 80
Shemar Turner/DT-Texas A&M
Ballard warned us that he will prioritize the trenches yet again. He said you can never have enough depth on both lines. Turner needs some work on his pass rush ability, but with the aging of starters (Buckner and Stewart), the need is glaring this offseason. This keeps a rotating developmental prospect along with Adebawore.
Round 4-Pick 117
Dylan Fairchild/G-Georgia
The Colts have some questions that need to be answered on the offensive line. Will they put Matt Goncalves at right guard or keep him as the swing tackle? If they go with the latter, then they need to get an NFL ready right guard. Fairchild will start day one and compete with likely Dalton Tucker and/or Danny Pinter.
Round 5-Pick 151
Kurtis Rourke/QB-Indiana
Let’s stick with Rourke here, as the Colts will need to address this situation. We have seen the health of Anthony Richardson be a revolving issue. Keeping a developmental quarterback in the system is a must. Rourke brings experience and toughness to the roster.
Round 6-Pick 189
Malachi Moore/S-Alabama
Talk about a player that has been all over draft boards. He has been as high as Day 2 and as low as Round 7. He is a decorated collegiate athlete, exactly the kind that Ballard loves to draft and bring onto the team. He played in big games, but he was also the leader of the Alabama defense for two consecutive years. The Colts have some depth issues with only three realistic candidates in the room. Moore has a high football IQ, and was well coached with Nick Saban and Kalen DeBoer.
Round 7-Pick 232
Seth Coleman/DE-Illinois
We mocked him to Indy last article, and we will hold that position now. When in doubt, draft skill position players. Coleman could easily go undrafted this week, but it fills a position of need and allows you to own his rights before the UDFA transactions begin. At worst, he can develop on the practice squad
This mock is sure to go wrong, and look for this franchise to acquire more picks, especially to help add to depth on both sides of the line of scrimmage and at running back.