Moore: Colts Mock Draft 1.0 - Post NFL Combine

Andrew Moore gives his first mock draft for the Indianapolis Colts after the conclusion of the NFL Scouting Combine.

The NFL Scouting Combine has come and gone from Indianapolis as over 300 prospects descended on the Circle City last week.

For some of those prospects, the most important part of the week was medical evaluations. For others, it was getting a chance to sit down face-to-face and interview with teams around the league. And some prospects needed to prove their athleticism in the on-field portion of the event.

Regardless, much was learned about each player as NFL teams adjust their draft boards, figuring out who they will target.

The Indianapolis Colts currently hold eight picks in the 2023 NFL Draft. General manager Chris Ballard, head coach Shane Steichen, and others spent the week meeting with prospects, listening to how they interacted with the media, and trying to gather as much information as possible. The obvious need for the Colts is at quarterback, and Indy is expected to take one with their first selection in April.

But which quarterback will they take? Will they have to trade up to get him? What about the other holes on the roster that need to be filled?

Here is my first Colts mock draft of the year. With the combine in the rearview mirror, things may have gotten clearer for the Colts.

Round 1 Pick 3: QB C.J. Stroud - Ohio State

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TRADE: Colts send No.4, No.79 (third round), and a 2024 second-round pick to the Arizona Cardinals for the No.3 pick.

Many mock drafts and analysts have the Colts trading up to the No.1 pick to select their quarterback. However, I do not see Ballard getting into a bidding war with other teams, as the price will be far too high. I ultimately see the Houston Texans trading up to No.1 to take their quarterback with the Chicago Bears, who will pick at No.2.

In this scenario, the Colts still find a way to get their QB1 in this class. C.J. Stroud possesses everything Steichen wants in his quarterbacks: accuracy, decision-making, the ability to create, and an obsession with his craft. Stroud is the most polished passer in this class with great mechanics and can make every throw on the field.

Stroud has impressed in meetings so far and would be in line to start Day 1 for the Colts. Indy finally gets off the QB carousel and begins building an offense around Stroud. 

Round 2 Pick 42: G Cody Mauch - North Dakota St.

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TRADE: Colts trade the No.35 pick to the Cleveland Browns for the No.42 and No.98 (third round) picks.

In typical Ballard fashion, the Colts trade back in the second round to help recoup some of the draft capital they gave up when trading up for Stroud. Indy trades back and still grabs help for an offensive line that struggled last season.

Cody Mauch will compete for the starting right guard spot alongside Will Fries. While Mauch played mostly at tackle at NDSU, he projects better along the interior in the NFL. Mauch is a very athletic offensive lineman who excels at creating holes in the running game. He is also an effective communicator and good at picking up the blitz, something the Colts struggled with last season.

Round 3 Pick 98: CB Darius Rush - South Carolina

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By picking up a third round pick in the trade with the Browns, the Colts can address a need on the defensive side of the ball. Darius Rush is a tall, long cornerback that would fit very well in Gus Bradley's defense. At 6'2", 198 pounds, and with almost 33.5-inch arms, he has the size the Colts covet in their cornerbacks. He also ran a 4.36 40-yard dash, showing off blazing speed.

Rush is still a little raw in his development, as he switched from wide receiver to cornerback only two years ago. However, he has impressive ball skills and is not afraid to get physical. Although he will need to clean up his technique, Rush should be a willing tackler right away and help defend against the run.

Round 4 Pick 105: WR Jonathan Mingo - Ole Miss

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The Colts start the 2023 NFL Draft with three of their first four picks on the offensive side of the ball. With Parris Campbell and Ashton Dulin potentially leaving in free agency, Indy desperately needs to add another weapon to help out their rookie quarterback.

Jonathan Mingo fits the build of a Chris Ballard-type receiver. Mingo meets the size threshold at 6'2" and 220 pounds, as Ballard has only drafted wide receivers over 6'0" and 200 pounds since he joined the Colts. Mingo is also a freak athlete with a 4.46 40-yard dash time and 39.5-inch vertical.

Mingo would be a big slot receiver in Steichen's offense. He is a solid route runner who can catch contested throws and is really good after the catch. His ability to block in the running game is also a plus for a Colts team that values blocking from their receivers.

Round 5 Pick 138: DE YaYa Diaby - Louisville

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You can never have enough pass rushers, and the Colts are hoping they found a diamond in the rough in YaYa Diaby. At 6'3" and 263 pounds, Diaby is a power rusher who uses his quick twitch ability to get after the quarterback.

Diaby is another athletic freak - see where I'm going here? - with long arms that allow him to attack opposing offensive linemen. He shows great lateral burst that makes him hard to block on twists and stunts. While he needs to develop a better plan as a pass rusher, Diaby has all the physical tools to be successful in the NFL.

Round 5 Pick 162: LB Dorian Williams - Tulane

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With the likely departures of Bobby Okereke and E.J. Speed in free agency, the Colts will need to add some depth at linebacker this offseason. Okereke, Speed, and Shaquille Leonard are all long, athletic linebackers that can cover from sideline to sideline. Staying in that mold, Dorian Williams would fit seamlessly into the Colts' linebacker room.

Williams may be undersized as a linebacker at only 6'1" and 228 pounds, but his length (33.75-inch arms) and speed (4.49 40-yard dash) are exactly what the Colts covet at the position. Williams has great range and has shown good recognition while in zone coverage. Williams could come in as a third linebacker when the Colts are in their base 4-3 while seeing action on special teams as well.

Round 7 Pick 222: G Andrew Vorhees - USC

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Under normal circumstances, Andrew Vorhees would be long gone by now. However, Vorhees suffered a torn ACL during the combine, thus ending any chance he had at becoming a Day 2 pick. Fortunately for the Colts, they can take a late flier on the kid out of USC.

Vorhees is a very smart football player who has five years of starting experience at the college level. His technique while run blocking is solid, allowing him to create holes for a running back. There are some inconsistencies to his game in pass blocking, but he has shown an ability to be coached throughout his time at USC. If all heals well with his ACL, which all indications are that it will, Vorhees could be a starting-caliber guard in the NFL.

Round 7 Pick 237: RB Owen Wright - Monmouth

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The last selection for the Colts brings a do-it-all back to the Indy offense. Owen Wright is not a running back many have heard of, but he was certainly productive in his time at Monmouth. Wright tallied 16 touchdowns last season.

Wright is a physical runner that is at his best in short-yardage situations. He is a willing pass protector that will need refinement at the next level, but Wright is not afraid to pick up a free blitzer. The running back can also be used as a weapon in the passing game or a contributor on special teams. While he may not be a star, Wright is the type of player the Colts love to have when rounding out their roster.

Want more Colts content? Check out the latest episode of the Horseshoe Huddle Podcast!

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