Though the first round of the NFL playoffs has begun, the offseason has gotten underway for the Indianapolis Colts and much of their focus will be on the 2024 NFL draft.
Currently holding the No. 15 overall pick in the draft, the Colts have several ways they can go about using the selection. They could focus on finding explosive weapons for quarterback Anthony Richardson or decide to add some much-needed depth and upside to the defensive side of the ball.
As the offseason progresses, we will round up the most recent mock drafts to see who the experts believe the Colts should or will take when they are on the clock at the end of April.
Here’s our first mock draft roundup for the Colts entering the 2024 offseason:
Draft Wire
The Pick: CB Kool-Aid McKinstry, Alabama
Mock Draft Date: Jan. 9
Author: Curt Popejoy
Link to Mock Draft
Author’s Take: “The Colts have built a really solid offense so we opt for help on defense here.”
Touchdown Wire
The Pick: OT JC Latham, Alabama
Mock Draft Date: Jan. 7
Author: Doug Farrar
Link to Mock Draft
Author’s Take: N/A
Pro Football Focus
The Pick: CB Cooper DeJean, Iowa
Mock Draft Date: Jan. 8
Author: Trevor Sikkema
Link to Mock Draft
Author’s Take: “DeJean, who just officially declared for the draft, started at outside cornerback for Iowa in their off-coverage, Cover 3 base system. At 6-foot-1 and 207 pounds, he can body any type of receiver at the catch point, and his experience in off-coverage has allowed him to showcase his instincts, ball skills and playmaking ability. Though he doesn’t have a lot of experience in press coverage, he has the skill set to play it with success.”
USA TODAY
The Pick: CB Kool-Aid McKinstry, Alabama
Mock Draft Date: Jan. 8
Author: Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz
Link to Mock Draft
Author’s Take: “Indianapolis endured some growing pains from a young secondary this season, but another infusion of young talent might be necessary. McKinstry is a versatile and savvy in coverage, and he would make for a nice pairing with 2023 second-rounder JuJu Brents.”
CBS Sports
The Pick: CB Kool-Aid McKinstry, Alabama
Mock Draft Date: Jan. 13
Author: Josh Edwards
Link to Mock Draft
Author’s Take: “Indianapolis takes Kool-Aid McKinstry to add depth in the secondary. Multiple young players got a lot of meaningful play time this season.”
Bleacher Report
The Pick: WR Keon Coleman, Florida State
Mock Draft Date: Jan. 14
Author: Kristopher Knox
Link to Mock Draft
Author’s Take: “N/A”
The Athletic
The Pick: CB Terrion Arnold, Alabama
Mock Draft Date: Jan. 10
Author: Nick Baumgardner
Link to Mock Draft
Author’s Take: “An extremely competitive football player, the 20-year-old Arnold was the less-ballyhooed of the Alabama corner duo this year, but he might wind up CB1 when it’s over. He’s a strong, quick, smart corner who will help make others better and would be a great fit for a young Colts squad.”
NBC Sports
The Pick: TE Brock Bowers, Georgia
Mock Draft Date: Jan. 11
Author: Connor Rogers
Link to Mock Draft
Author’s Take: “Bowers is a top 10 player in this draft, but could the positional value of tight end lead to a slide? If that happens, Shane Steichen’s offense gets a complete steal. He’s as dynamic as they come at the position with arguably the best hands in the draft. He’s also held his own as a blocker throughout his time at Georgia.”
ESPN
The Pick: TE Brock Bowers, Georgia
Mock Draft Date: Jan. 10
Author: Jordan Reid
Link to Mock Draft
Author’s Take: “Coach Shane Steichen did a great job with this Colts team after losing rookie QB Anthony Richardson four games into the season, but Indianapolis should keep building around him (especially if free agent receiver Michael Pittman Jr. doesn’t return). This pick is simply about Bowers being the best player on the board, even if tight end is not an immediate position of need. Bowers is a game-changer who led all FBS tight ends in receiving yards after contact (494) and finished second in forced missed tackles (18) despite being limited to 10 games. He can play in-line, flexed out or even in the backfield.”
FOX Sports
The Pick: WR Malik Nabers, LSU
Mock Draft Date: Jan. 10
Author: Jason McIntyre
Link to Mock Draft
Author’s Take: “On the turf, indoors, opposite Michael Pittman and catching bombs from Anthony Richardson? Nabers is a burner and might be the second-best receiving prospect in the draft after Harrison.”
Sports Illustrated
The Pick: WR Keon Coleman, Florida State
Mock Draft Date: Jan. 11
Author: Luke Easterling
Link to Mock Draft
Author’s Take: “If the Colts aren’t able to keep Michael Pittman Jr. with a long-term contract extension, they’ll need a new No. 1 receiver to take his place. Coleman would be the perfect candidate, with a similar combination of size, length, physicality and athleticism that made him a highlight-reel presence for FSU in 2023.”
Pro Football Network
The Pick: CB Terrion Arnold, Alabama
Mock Draft Date: Jan. 11
Author: Joe Broback
Link to Mock Draft
Author’s Take: “Terrion Arnold took his game to another level this year. After being a relatively unknown prospect heading into 2023, he’s pushing for the top spot for his position in this year’s class. The Colts have several needs here, and stopping the pass is one of them.
Arnolnd’s a competitive player who’s aggressive when the ball’s in the air. While there are a few things to fine-tune in his game, his foundation should get him by for now. If he can put it all together, watch out.”
For The Win
The Pick: CB Cooper DeJean, Iowa
Mock Draft Date: Jan. 10
Author: Christian D’Andrea
Link to Mock Draft
Author’s Take: “The Colts have their choice of defensive backs here at No. 15. Kool-Aid McKinstry has a blue chip pedigree and name. Nate Wiggins is a long, lean ballhawk with the closing speed to make himself a star at the next level.
Instead, let’s allow general manager Chris Ballard to pick based on production and roll with the versatile DeJean. The 6-foot-1 safety/corner/punt returner was the engine behind some incredible Iowa defenses and he’s flexible enough to hold down multiple positions. He also housed four pick-sixes over the last two seasons, an invaluable skill given the abject horror on the other side of the ball for the Hawkeyes. His draft position may hinge on how he performs in Indianapolis, but he’s got the raw ability to put on a show at the Combine.”
