McGinnis: Final Colts 7-Round Mock Draft

The 2023 NFL Draft is just over a week away, and now it's time for a full seven-round Indianapolis Colts mock draft. Who will they take with their first pick?

With the 2023 NFL Draft less than two weeks away, I thought I’d decide to do my first (and last) Indianapolis Colts mock of the offseason.

Two things to remember when Chris Ballard and the Colts are drafting: they love guys with traits and they love guys that participated at the Senior Bowl. With that in mind, let’s get into it.

Round 1:

Pick 4: QB Anthony Richardson, Florida

I think the biggest surprise about this pick is that the Colts will be able to stay at pick four and still get their guy. In this scenario, Bryce Young goes first, Will Anderson goes second, and the Las Vegas Raiders move up for C.J. Stroud at three. The Colts love Anthony Richardson from what I’ve heard from multiple people I trust. They also like a couple of other quarterbacks, and under different circumstances would be perfectly fine with one of the other guys. In this scenario, they’re able to stay at four and get one of the top guys on their board without giving up additional draft capital. If you want a more detailed breakdown of Richardson, please go check out my “The Case For Anthony Richardson” article.

Round 2:

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Pick 35: WR Zay Flowers, Boston College

The Colts' need at wide receiver is not a massive one but when you have a deep cornerback class and a weak receiver one, I think it’s imperative the Colts strike early at that position to get a true difference maker. They do just that here, landing one of the most electric, explosive playmakers at the position in Zay Flowers. He would come in and immediately fill a need for the Colts, working out of the slot. His YAC ability and versatility with where you can align him would certainly intrigue Shane Steichen and would become an instant weapon for this offense. I’m a firm believer in when you take a rookie quarterback, you have to do what you can to support him.

Round 3:

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Pick 79: CB Julius Brents, Kansas State

Arguably the Colts' biggest need besides quarterback is cornerback. While the Colts have reached out to free agents at the position, they have been unable to agree to a deal with one, which makes it almost a must they land one in the draft. Good for them that this is a deep cornerback draft and they are able to draft a starter in Round 3. Julius Brents is a tall and physical corner who is an ideal fit for Gus Bradley’s scheme. While he’s really raw and needs work, I think based on his size and athletic ability alone, he will see the field really early.

Round 4:

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Pick 106: IOL Luke Wypler, Ohio State

I know people are probably pulling their hair out at this point that they haven’t seen an offensive lineman yet. Luke Wypler was an outstanding center and I think will be a very good one in the NFL with his athleticism. Wypler, I also believe, can play guard while Ryan Kelly is still under contract. In Steichen's new scheme, Wypler's ability to move and get out in space will be a weapon in this offense. Once Kelly retires, you have a guy in Wypler with some real upside and Pro Bowl potential down the road taking over as your new center.

Round 5:

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Pick 138: EDGE Isaiah Land, Florida A&M

This is around the time Ballard takes a swing at his Senior Bowl guys. One that was the most consistent out there was Isaiah Land. He had ridiculous production in 2021 with over 25 tackles for loss and 19 sacks. The level of competition was a cause for concern, which is why it was important that he showed at the Senior Bowl that he can compete with the Power-5 Players. The only knock on his game is that he’s extremely light but I’m confident after a season or two he can add weight to that 6’3" frame and develop into a solid rusher down the road.

Round 5:

Mandatory Credit: Vasha Hunt-USA TODAY Sports

Pick 162: RB Tyjae Spears, Tulane

The Colts still have a void in the backfield from the trade with the Buffalo Bills that sent out Nyheim Hines. Tyjae Spears is not the same type of back as Hines but he’s a running back that gives you much more on all three downs. He's an outstanding ball carrier with great vision between the tackles and has the ability to pass protect and showed at the Senior Bowl that he can be a weapon receiving the ball out of the backfield.

Round 5:

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Pick 176: DT Moro Ojomo, Texas

Okay, you know I can’t go through this draft without picking a guy in the trenches on both sides of the ball. Ballard is always looking for defensive tackles and here is a guy that they can use both inside and out. Moro Ojomo probably won’t ever be a starter but he’ll be a versatile depth piece with the ability to move inside and outside in certain situations.

Round 7:

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Pick 221: LB Cam Jones, Indiana

This is a pick the locals should love. Cam Jones, the former Hoosier, is someone that can instantly come in and contribute on special teams. Ballard has a high hit rate on linebackers and I think Jones would be no different after getting a chance to see him up close at the Senior Bowl. He's got a solid frame with quick feet and the ability to process and run fit really well.

Round 7:

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Pick 236: CB Starling Thomas, UAB

This player reminds me a lot of Isaiah Rodgers Sr. Starling Thomas is a cornerback on the shorter side but has a lot of speed and can be a good contributor on special teams. Most people see him as a slot only at the next level but I actually think he’s strong enough and athletic enough to play on the boundary some. Thomas is a guy that I think would have a solid chance to make the team and will shock people with how solid he is in coverage already. Keep an eye on this name at the end of Day 3 for the Colts.

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