The Indianapolis Colts are fully in offseason mode preparing for free agency and the 2024 NFL draft as the scouting combine arrives in the Circle City next week.
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 third mock draft roundup for the Colts entering the 2024 offseason. You can check out the previous iterations below:
Touchdown Wire
The Pick: EDGE Laiatu Latu, UCLA
Mock Draft Date: Feb. 24
Author: Doug Farrar
Link to Mock Draft
Author’s Take: N/A
USA TODAY
The Pick: CB Quinyon Mitchell, Toledo
Mock Draft Date: Feb. 12
Author: Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz
Link to Mock Draft
Author’s Take: “Too high for the only non-Power Five prospect in this exercise? Maybe not. At the Senior Bowl, Mitchell reinforced that he has the physical tools, savvy and confidence to square off against even the most imposing NFL receivers. Gus Bradley’s scheme seems like it would bring out the best of his excellent ball skills.”
CBS Sports
The Pick: TE Brock Bowers, Georgia
Mock Draft Date: Feb. 23
Author: Tom Fornelli
Link to Mock Draft
Author’s Take: “This is a Best Player Available situation. Tight end isn’t Indianapolis’ biggest need, but Bowers is too good to pass up as the Colts put another intriguing pass-catcher around Anthony Richardson. Also, while Bowers isn’t a plus in-line blocker at the moment, that’s partially due to him not needing to be one at Georgia. I expect him to improve in that area in the NFL.”
The Athletic
The Pick: TE Brock Bowers, Georgia
Mock Draft Date: Feb. 22
Author: James Boyd
Link to Mock Draft
Author’s Take: “The Colts have other needs, but passing up on the best player available wasn’t an option. Brugler calls Bowers “a home-run threat with the ball in his hands” and has him ranked fifth on his big board. The Colts don’t have a true No. 1 tight end, and with veteran Mo Alie-Cox a potential cap cut and Drew Ogletree on the reserve/commissioner exempt list, Bowers might be more equipped than Indianapolis’ other three tight ends (Jelani Woods, Kylen Granson and Will Mallory). Coach Shane Steichen has a stellar track record with tight ends, and giving QB Anthony Richardson another dynamic playmaker would be crucial for his development.”
Sports Illustrated
The Pick: EDGE Jared Verse, Florida State
Mock Draft Date: Feb. 21
Author: Luke Easterling
Link to Mock Draft
Author’s Take: “Don’t count out a receiver here, but the Colts are far more likely to get better value there in the second round than they are with this year’s EDGE class. Verse is a polished, well-rounded defender who can set the edge against the run, and also get after the quarterback with a fantastic blend of both speed and power, making him a perfect fit for what the Colts need up front.”
NBC Sports
The Pick: CB Quinyon Mitchell, Toledo
Mock Draft Date: Feb. 22
Author: Eric Froton
Link to Mock Draft
Author’s Take: “At a full-grown 6’0, 195 pounds, Mitchell thrived as the top corner in the MAC for the last two seasons, earning 92nd percentile cover grades in each. He allowed just 54 receptions on 132 targets with 27 PBU in that span and backed up that production with a lockdown Senior Bowl performance against the best 2024 prospects in the country. Indy needs a CB1 badly and could also consider Clemson speed merchant Nate Wiggins here.”
Pro Football Network
The Pick: CB Quinyon Mitchell, Toledo
Mock Draft Date: Feb. 22
Author: Ian Cummings
Link to Mock Draft
Author’s Take: “Slowly, we’re seeing the layers peel back on Quinyon Mitchell‘s actual draft stock. He’s viewed as a top-20 prospect after the Senior Bowl. The Combine will lift him even more.
An absolute ball-hawk with 4.3 recovery speed and instant click-and-close ability, Mitchell fits perfectly in Gus Bradley’s Cover 3 scheme, but he can also man up WRs when needed.”
NFL.com
The Pick: CB Quinyon Mitchell, Toledo
Mock Draft Date: Feb. 22
Author: Gennaro Filice
Link to Mock Draft
Author’s Take: “Arguably the most impressive player at the Senior Bowl, Mitchell isn’t as long as last year’s second-round selection, JuJu Brents, but he offers ample size to go with explosive speed and supreme ball skills. There is a world where this Toledo prospect is the first cornerback selected.”
Yahoo Sports
The Pick: CB Cooper DeJean, Iowa
Mock Draft Date: Feb. 23
Author: Nate Tice, Charles McDonald
Link to Mock Draft
Author’s Take: “Julian Blackmon and Kenny Moore are free agents, and the Colts sure wouldn’t mind having another outside cornerback option opposite of JuJu Brents. DeJean has Pro Bowl upside at any spot in the defensive backfield, be it outside cornerback, slot or safety. He’s über-athletic and über-skilled and will let defensive coordinator Gus Bradley put his best group out there no matter what.” – Tice
