2015 Indianapolis Colts Mock Draft: Early Offseason 7-Round Predictions
It's only been two days since the Indianapolis Colts lost to the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship Game, but let's face it, everybody wanted to move on from that as soon as possible.
So with that in mind, here is an early look at potential prospects in the 2015 NFL draft.
We'll go through this mock in a way that would fit the Colts as a team. As such, we'll be looking at some key positional targets in each round, and figuring out how to best fill out the variety of needs the Colts have.
There are all kinds of directions the Colts could go in this year's draft, and this is just one potential map.
First Round: Pick No. 29
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Ideal Positional Targets: NT, ILB, CB, S
The Colts have holes all over, but the defense needs a potential star.
The Pick: NT Jordan Phillips, Oklahoma
The Colts desperately need to get tougher on the defensive interior (just ask LeGarrette Blount), but sacrificing pass rush in today's pass-first NFL would be a mistake. Enter Jordan Phillips.
A massive 6'6", 334-pound prospect, Phillips is the biggest defensive lineman in the draft, but he holds his weight extremely well. With an ability to hold up at the point of attack as well as collapse the pocket, Phillips' versatility would be an incredible asset for the Colts.
But, Phillips is raw as a redshirt sophomore who missed most of 2013 with a back injury. That inexperience has his ranking among draftniks ranging anywhere in the first and second rounds. Matt Miller of Bleacher Report has him as his 38th overall player, while Rob Rang of CBSSports.com has him confidently in the first round.
With the league's fascination with potential, I see Phillips rising as the predraft process progresses. He won't be around for the Colts' second-round selection, so it's in the first or not at all.
Third-Party Praise
Mike Gerken of NEPatriotsDraft.com:
"I envision him as a player who could make in impact from the DT position as both a run stuffer and a pass disruptor. He probably won’t put up big numbers that jump off the stat sheet, but his ability to collapse the pocket could be a valuable asset. He needs to work on his play awareness and technique but the physical tools are there.
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Second Round: Pick No. 61
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Ideal Positional Targets: ILB, CB, S, RB, WR
With a nose tackle taken, the Colts keep their other first-round needs, but they could also take another weapon for Andrew Luck here.
The Pick: CB Quinten Rollins, Miami (OH)
Yes, this is a best-case scenario kind of pick. Rollins played collegiate football for the first time in 2014 at Miami of Ohio, but he quickly got up to speed. He earned the starting job and picked off seven passes in the season, not to mention knocking down 16 additional balls.
Rollins' ball skills are rare, though he does lack in technique in certain areas. But, when you've played football for one year since high school and that's your biggest flaw, that's not a bad position to be in.
The real problem with this pick is that Rollins has high potential to skyrocket up draft boards over the next few months. He's currently No. 58 on Matt Miller's draft board, but some have him among the draft's best corners, and he was reportedly a hot commodity at Senior Bowl practices this week.
It's a long shot for the Colts to get him at No. 61, but a trade-up is always possible. Hey, a man's allowed to dream, right?
Third-Party Praise
Unnamed AFC North scout, per Dane Brugler of CBS Sports:
"Q is the type of prospect you saw and say to yourself, 'I've found something here.' But he's also too good to stay a secret, unfortunately. Not many can do what he did this year. The question isn't if he will be drafted, but how high?"
Third Round: Pick No. 93
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Ideal Positional Targets: ILB, S, RB, WR, OL, DE
Add in another defensive or offensive lineman to the needs here, as we get further into the draft. The Colts need both depth and potential long-term starters in the trenches, and the middle rounds are a great place to swing for a gem.
The Pick: FS Kurtis Drummond, Michigan State
The Colts have all kinds of needs in this draft, but unless they go after a top safety in free agency (hello, Devin McCourty), I don't think they can afford to ignore the position in the draft.
Enter Michigan State safety Kurtis Drummond, a well-rounded safety prospect who has played four years in a strong defensive program. In the Colts' scheme, which uses the strong and free safeties somewhat interchangeably, versatility is a must, and Drummond possesses enough to fit well.
However, "well-rounded" generally means that one doesn't excel at any particular trait. That can be a weakness in coverage, where just one or two poor angles can lead to big plays.
With instincts in coverage being inconsistent at best, that's a concern with Drummond. But, Drummond does have the ball skills to make highlight-reel plays and the physicality to hold up against the run.
While Drummond is one of the best safeties in this class, it's a weak class, so his potential draft spot has a large range.
Third-Party Praise
Lance Zierlein of NFL.com:
"Is a very fluid mover in space and has NFL-caliber play speed. Used in off coverage on slot receivers. Can click and close on throws in his vicinity and his ball skills are outstanding for the position. Has 25 passes defensed and 8 interceptions over the last two seasons. Has hips and closing speed to recover when beaten.
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Fourth Round: Pick No. 125
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Ideal Positional Targets: ILB, RB, WR, OL, DE
This may be one of the last rounds for a realistic inside linebacker who could potentially start in a year or two. However, going defense with the first three picks in this mock, going back to the offensive side of the ball seems a bit more balanced.
The Pick: RB Jeremy Langford, Michigan State
Two picks in a row from Michigan State? I'd normally try to avoid something like that, but Langford's ability to contribute in the passing game intrigues me too much in this particular draft.
Projected to be right around the late fourth round by the vast majority of scouting websites, Langford matches my checklist for a Colts running back: good vision, strong in pass protection and experience in the passing game.
Langford doesn't have the speed to be a big-play back like some of the top backs in this draft, and he doesn't have quite the size or strength to be a downhill power back.
But, he can find holes in the offensive line to produce and would be an incredible asset to the Colts' passing game. Langford actually spent time playing wide receiver and defensive back while at Michigan State.
With the increasing importance for Indianapolis running backs to be able to catch and pass protect, Langford would be able to come in and be a part of a running back committee right away.
Third-Party Praise
Lance Zierlein of NFL.com:
"Effective with chip blocks and will square up blitzers and take them on in pass protection. Has blocking and pass-catching talent to play on third downs. Good spin move and plus lateral foot quickness. Maintains balance through contact."
Fifth Round: Pick No. 157
5 of 8Ideal Positional Targets: LB, WR, OL, DE
At this point in the draft, you're looking for depth and potential more than anything else, so positions take on a much less important role. The above still could use filling, however, especially if little was done in free agency.
The Pick: OL Robert Myers, Tennessee State
This is a project pick, to be sure, but the Colts are looking for versatile depth with Anthony Castonzo and Gosder Cherilus all but locked in as the starters at tackle.
Myers is an intriguing player with an NFL body and experience at both tackle positions—as well as right guard—at Tennessee State. Of course, with that small-school profile comes limited experience against NFL-caliber talent, and Myers could be in for a rough transition period.
He'll need to beef up and likely sit for a while to be a quality player, but Myers could develop into a guard or right tackle with the right coaching. I like his demeanor, and if he's willing to work, he has the tools to start some day.
Third-Party Praise
Per CBSSports.com:
"He can extend his arms and latch onto defenders, showing good lateral agility to shuffle to mirror (albeit in small areas). Because of his stout frame and the fact that he plays with good knee bend, Myers anchors effectively."
Sixth Round: Pick No. 189
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Ideal Positional Targets: LB, WR, DE
Again, these positions haven't been addressed, but the position matters little this late. The Colts could potentially look for backup quarterbacks at this point as well.
The Pick: WR Titus Davis, Central Michigan
Are you ready for some MAC-tion?
The former Central Michigan Chippewa may not be the same talent that Antonio Brown currently is, but he could slide down into the sixth round like Brown did in 2010.
Unlike Brown, Davis has ideal height, but he's not quite as explosive. In the MAC, Davis was able to be extremely productive, but he may not be able to create the same separation in the NFL.
Fortunately, he uses his upper body well and could be a possession receiver with limited after-the-catch ability in the Colts offense, something that's a need with Reggie Wayne and Hakeem Nicks possibly on the way out.
Third-Party Praise
From Davis' ESPN Insider Draft Profile:
"Tracks ball well. Above-average concentration. Some passes get to frame, but can extend and snatch despite smaller hands. Adjusts well to passes thrown behind him. Opens up with good body control on back-shoulder passes. Absorbs contact and secures ball."
Sixth Round: Pick No. 191/192
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Ideal Positional Targets: LB, DE, QB
So quarterback officially makes it onto my ideal list. If Matt Hasselbeck is done, somebody has to come in and hold the clipboard.
The Pick: CB Ladarius Gunter, Miami (FL)
Call me a sucker for potential press-man cornerbacks. I don't think you can really ever have enough, especially when your two reliable depth cornerbacks are headed into free agency. Let's call it the Seattle school of thinking.
Gunter has the length of a physical cornerback at 6'1", 200 pounds, though he's a little leaner than some NFL coaches would like and not a particularly violent tackler.
While some players are too awkward in their movements and hip turns to succeed at the NFL level, Gunter has a surprising fluidity that could draw coaches toward him.
Where he hasn't impressed is his ball skills. Despite his size, he doesn't get his hands on as many balls as possible. He can still influence passes because his frame influences the throwing windows, but he could struggle against possession receivers with accurate quarterbacks in the NFL.
Third-Party Praise
From CBSSports.com's Rob Rang:
"Blessed with an exciting combination of height and fluidity. Sports a long, tapered frame with broad shoulders and long arms, making him well-suited to handling coverage against today's behemoth receivers.
Loose hips, which allow him to smoothly turn and run with receivers from press coverage. Can plant and drive on the ball, showing good awareness in off and zone coverage to drop his receiver and react to the quarterback.
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Seventh Round: Pick No. 219
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Ideal Positional Targets: LB, KR/PR, DE, QB
In addition to positions yet to be filled, keep an eye out for special teams stars this late in the draft.
The Pick: DE Jeremiah Rasco, LSU
This former Tiger is a bit too small to play defensive end in the NFL, lacking the strength to hold up against the run. But, he could fit perfectly with a 3-4 team that runs a lot of stunts and blitzes with its linebackers, and that just so happens to fit the Colts profile.
Rasco is a smart player with a high football IQ, according to Lance Zierlein of NFL.com, which could translate to a quick transition into the NFL. He would start out on special teams, but for a team with just Jonathan Newsome in the future for pass rush, the Colts could stand to add some potential.
Third-Party Praise
"Rasco doesn't have the pass-rush talent to draw a great deal of excitement leading up to the draft, but he keeps his eyes glued to the backfield and he is rarely out of position. Rasco can use his toughness, football acumen and quickness to compete for a spot with a blitz-happy, complex defense as a 3-4 OLB.
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