Latest Indianapolis Colts Mock Draft from ESPN

How does the first week of NFL free agency affect the Indianapolis Colts in the NFL Draft?

The Indianapolis Colts have been relatively quiet when it comes to hunting for players during the first week of NFL free agency. Instead they've focused on keeping their core together including signing Michael Pittman to a long-term deal, and extending Grover Stewart and Kenny Moore.

Arguably the biggest move they've made is signing Joe Flacco to deputize Anthony Richardson as the latter returns from season-ending shoulder surgery. 

Drafting and taking care of their own has been a strategy employed by Chris Ballard in his tenure as general manager of the Colts. How have this week's moves affected the Colts' draft strategy?

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Field Yates released his latest mock draft on ESPN+ taking this week's moves into consideration. He only went 15 deep on this mock, which included the Colts picking at No. 15.

Yates feels making sure Pittman remains a Colt along with investments in young receivers like Alex Pierce and Josh Downs means they turn to the defensive side of that ball. He has the Colts picking cornerback Quinyon Mitchell out of Toledo.

"The Colts retained cornerback Kenny Moore II on a three-year deal, but he plays in the slot, so outside cornerback should probably be the target position here," wrote Yates on ESPN+. "Mitchell is a terrific fit. He has an elite combination of size (6 feet, 195 pounds), speed (4.33-second 40-yard dash at the combine) and ball skills (32 pass breakups and six interceptions over the past two seasons)."

Mitchell also posted a 38-inch vertical and 10'2-inch broad jump at the NFL Combine. He put on a show at the Senior Bowl and only improved his stock more at the combine. 

The Colts drafted Julius Brents in the second round last season. He played well after battling injuries to start his career. Jaylon Jones was a surprise last season after being drafted in the seventh round. He played in all 17 games and made 10 starts as a rookie.

Ballard could look to lock down the secondary for several years with a combination of Brents, Moore, Jones, and Mitchell.

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