Colts land top cornerback in first round of latest NFL mock draft

The Indianapolis Colts possess the 15th overall pick in the upcoming 2024 NFL Draft, and they could potentially use that selection to secure the secondary. In his latest mock draft for ESPN, NFL analyst Mel Kiper sees the Colts selecting cornerback Quinyon Mitchell from Toledo with their first pick.

While the Colts just recently cracked open the checkbook to re-sign cornerback Kenny Moore II, he has largely operated as a slot corner, so the team could still use some help at the position on the outside.

From Kiper:

"Finally, the first cornerback off the board. It's not because this isn't a good group of corners -- it's more about the elite prospects at other positions. I have four CBs in my top 25 overall but don't have top-10 grades on any of them. The best of the bunch is Mitchell, who has been moving up since a spectacular performance in Mobile, Alabama, in early February at Senior Bowl practices. Then he ran a 4.33-second 40-yard dash at the combine, making my list of risers. He had six interceptions over his final two college seasons.

"As for the pairing in Indianapolis, the Colts don't have a No. 1 corner and desperately have to add talent at the position. Luckily they're in a good spot to do that in this draft."

Time will tell if the Colts do decide to select Mitchell, or another cornerback, with their top pick. They certainly have other areas of need, but corner might be the most pressing, so it makes sense that Kiper would have them going in that direction in his latest mock.

The Colts have missed the playoffs in each of the last three seasons, and they're clearly hoping to end that streak in 2024. Drafting wisely could definitely help them in that regard.