Colts 7-round 2023 NFL mock draft 5.0: Indy trades up for its quarterback

After a quiet offseason, the Indianapolis Colts will now look at the NFL Draft to make some major improvements on the roster, starting with a trade.

The much anticipated wait is almost over as teams will be in Kansas City in just a few weeks for the NFL Draft. Coverage of the first round will start at 8PM EST on April 27 on ESPN, ABC, and the NFL Network.

After filling some minor holes on the roster, Chris Ballard has proven that he will continue to build the Indianapolis Colts the same as always: through the draft. No major signings or trades like the DeForest Buckner trade a few years ago that sent a first-round pick to San Francisco for the All-Pro defensive tackle.

The Colts have been rumored to want Lamar Jackson by the media, but even Jim Irsay has come out and said he'd prefer to draft a rookie in this year's draft. The Colts are done with the recycled quarterbacks from other teams. It sounds like the decision is to get their own for the first time since 2012.

Lamar should never be out of the question, though. What happens if Chris Ballard no longer has his quarterback on the board at the 4th pick and wasn't able to trade up to No. 3? What if he is only sold on one or two of the quarterbacks and not all four?

The Colts should be calling the Baltimore Ravens to inquire about Lamar Jackson in that scenerio and get the proven MVP on the team with the 4th and many other picks. But for now, let's say the Colts are able to get their guy in the first round through the draft.

Let’s take a look at who that guy is, and what other players Indy might select.

The Indianapolis Colts select Anthony Richardson with the No. 3 pick after trading up with the Arizona Cardinals

After Bryce Young and C.J. Stroud go with the first two picks in the draft and teams calling the Cardinals for their pick, Chris Ballard did not want to risk it and made the call himself. Indianapolis gets on the phone with Arizona so Indy is certain that it will be able to select the third quarterback.

Ballard works on getting a deal that does not compromise next year's first round pick and only gives up an additional third round and fifth round pick.

By moving up one spot, the Colts take the best athlete in the draft in Anthony Richardson, marking a day in history for the organization. Richardson has improved each time he's made an appearance and is one of the only quarterbacks in this draft that will be a starter for years to come.

Months ago, people had Richardson has an early-second round pick and as high as a late-first round pick to a team that may need to transition in a few years to a new system or quarterback. The train has left the station and many have viewed Richardson as not only a top three quarterback, but potentially the top quarterback in this draft.

Yes, Richardson has done very well at both the NFL Combine and his Pro Day, but what is he doing with shoulder pads on? Not the most accurate quarterback and his completion percentage was lower than you'd hope. Richardson will need to improve his gameplay to be considered one of the best in the league.

Luckily for the Colts, new head coach Shane Steichen is all about building an offense around his QB. Between coaching new systems for Justin Herbert and Jalen Hurts, Steichen is the coach that can make this work.

Chris Ballard moves back to regain draft capital and takes Julius Brents

In a move to regain some of his draft capital, Chris Ballard moves pick No. 35 and gets No. 40 and No. 115 in return from the New Orleans Saints. This move would be expected to be seen after giving up two additional picks to move one spot in the first round to draft Anthony Richardson.

Dropping back five spots and selecting Julius is a no-brainer in this situation. The Indianapolis native (Warren Central High School) would make a great addition to the Colts secondary with his size and physical play.

The Colts did not meet with Julius during the NFL Combine, but have invited him in for a Top 30 visit. There is likely a reason that Chris Ballard has not added much in the secondary and offloaded Stephon Gilmore so that he can make room for new rookies.

At 6-foot-4, 198 pounds, Brents would be the largest corner the team has, which could slide right into the CB1 role. With Isaiah Rodgers Sr. as the defacto CB1 right now, he would move over to CB2 on the other side. The two would be lights out for the Colts in 2023.

Adding to the receiver group by adding another Cincinnati alumni

Chris Ballard and the Indianapolis Colts have not met with many wide receivers this year. In true Ballard fashion, he is probably "happy with the group that we have in the locker room right now" and not very concerned.

However, if you look at who the team has looked at, Tyler Scott is the only player that the Colts invited in for a Top 30 visit before the draft. The team did meet with another receiver at the combine, but he's not quite the same kind of playmaker as Scott is.

Scott could likely go earlier in this round, but with recent reports that teams are only valuing a few receivers as starting material, this could drop many receivers down the draft board in 2023, leaving Scott available with pick No. 106.

Scott caught 54 passes for 899 yards and nine touchdowns in his final year at Cincinnati. That kind of production being added to the team will greatly help Michael Pittman Jr., Alec Pierce, and Ashton Dulin get open down the field.

Expect big plays being made this year with the addition of another deep threat to pair with a deep ball thrower in Richardson.

Ballard gets his EDGE rusher in the draft to pair opposite of Kwity Paye

The chances of the Colts not drafting an EDGE rusher while Ballard is the General Manager are lower than the Colts taking a quarterback in the first round of the draft. There, I said it. Facts are facts sometimes.

Adding Yaya to the mix on the defensive line will continue to add fresh legs to a line that needs more support in the second unit. YaYa Diaby’s ability to get off the line and get to the quarterback quickly will pair nicely with Kwity on the opposite side.

Ballard likes his physical players and Yaya Diaby matches that exaclty. His RAS score being a 9.84u speaks volumes and would pair well with the others on the defense.

The Colts will have Yaya, Kwity, and Dayo all making plays on the outside on passing downs, while DeForest Buckner and Grover Stewart come from the inside. This could give the Colts their best defensive line in recent memory.

Yaya met with the Colts organization at the NFL Combine and many believe that Chris Ballard is very fond of him as a prospect.

The Indianapolis Colts double dips in the secondary market to draft UAB cornerback Starling Thomas V. Starling adds depth to the position that was desimated this offseason. With Stephon Gilmore traded, and Brandon Facyson back with the Las Vegas Raiders, Indy needs more corners.

With the addition of Thomas V, I'd expect the Colts to still look at free agency and undrafted free agents to add at least one more person to the Colts secondary. The team is in somewhat of a rebuild with that specific position, with the only returning starter being Kenny Moore II.

With Isaiah Rodgers Sr. poised to finally get the day-one starting role and drafting Julius Brents in the second round, the Colts are starting to see one of the younger secondaries in the league.

This is vastly different than having one of the older ones where they've moved from Vontae Davis to Xavier Rhodes and then to Stephon Gilmore. Now the oldest corner on the team will be Moore II (27).

Starling Thomas V is another corner that was invited for a Top 30 visit with the Colts organization.

The Colts add another big piece to the defensive line with Brodric Martin

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but Grover Stewart (29) and DeForest Buckner (29) are going to be getting into that age 30 season here soon. The Colts will need to start looking at the future for youthful players to fill the gaps when it is time. There should also be a point in the season that the Colts may look to move one of the two vets for draft picks depending on how everything is playing out.

Brodric adds a big body presence to the defensive line to fill holes in the run and pass game. The 6'5", 337lbs tackle is going to reek havoc on opposing offensive lines in the NFL.

Oh and would you look at that? The Colts have a Top 30 visit with Brodric scheduled coming up before the draft.

The Colts wait until the end to add to the offensive line

We hadn't really seen much from the offensive side in this draft if you look past drafting a quarterback and wide receiver. The Colts have primarily been focused on building up the trenches on defense and secondary. But look no further, Chris Ballard finally strikes on the guard position late in the draft with the 221st pick.

Henry's big frame and size is what makes him a dominant guard that can jump right into the starting lineup at right guard in Week 1. Adding Henry is going to work wonders pairing him in between Ryan Kelly and Bradon Smith.

The right guard position has really been struggling for the Colts since the departures of both Mark Glowinski and Chris Reed just a few seasons ago. The Colts have been looking for different guards including Matt Pryor, Will Fries, Wesley French, and others.

The Colts finally get their guy that can start right away. Henry informally met with the Colts at the NFL Combine, according to Andrew Wilbar.

Indianapolis adds more depth to compete for the left tackle position

Adding Jordan McFadden late in the draft is a huge win for the Indianapolis Colts. The left tackle position has struggled in recent years. Even with drafting Bernhard Raimann, the struggles have been discouraging.

Chris Ballard has said numerous times that Bernard needs to get his reps in and really grow into that position. But what if the Colts decide to bring another big talent in to compete for the position?

McFadden met with the Colts during the Shrine Bowl and he notes that he felt pretty good about where he stands with the organization for the upcoming draft.

What makes McFadden so interesting is that he also can line up and play center. During the NFL Combine and at his Pro Day, he lined up to play center. Could the Colts draft him and move him to center to back up Ryan Kelly and eventually take the reigns in future years?

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