Colts 7-round 2023 NFL mock draft 4.0: Post free-agency fixes

The Indianapolis Colts select CB Emmanuel Forbes with the 35th overall pick in the second round

Since the Colts are now thin at cornerback they could take an early pick to try to solidify some depth at this position. Trading Gilmore away really depleted the cornerback room with really only Isaiah Rodgers Sr. and Moore being your standout players. Moore essentially plays the nickel which really only leaves Rodgers as your go-to outside corner. Investing early in a player like Emmanuel Forbes could make dividends for the Colts' secondary.

The immediate knock on Forbes is his size. He weighed in at 166 pounds at the combine with a height of 6-foot-1. This isn't a great stat as Forbes is undersized for making big tackles. However, if all he needs to do is gain muscle mass then the team needs to rely on their athletic training department and get the job done. This will also take some want on Forbes' part to get bigger and stronger to play at a high level in the NFL. The rest of the traits are already there.

Forbes ran a 4.35 forty at the combine with a 1.48 10-yard split. That's fast. In fact it was the sixth highest out of all positions at the combine and fourth out of cornerbacks. However, this was somewhat expected based on Forbes' measurements. That being said, if Indianapolis was to take Forbes he would come in as one of the taller cornerbacks with both Rodgers and Moore being under 6'.

He has let his performance on the field speak for itself. As a freshman,that he earned a spot on the SEC All-Freshman team ending the season tied for third in the FBS with five interceptions returning three of those for scores which led the nation. He followed that up with an All-SEC selection in his sophomore season. In 2022, he finished tied for third in the nation with six interceptions. During his time he also set an FBS record of six pick-sixes. In his last season with the Bulldogs, he posted 46 tackles, 11 pass breakups, and even blocked a kick.