The Indianapolis Colts will be entering the offseason with several needs to address and it should be expected that they have their eyes on doing so through the 2022 NFL draft.
In his first mock draft of the offseason, NFL.com’s Chad Reuter had five quarterbacks go in the first round. He left the Colts taking a high-upside cornerback and wide receiver with their two picks in Rounds 2 and 3.
Round 2 | No. 47 overall | Washington CB Kyler Gordon
With their first pick of this three-round mock draft, the Colts added a high-upside cornerback prospect. Even though the position isn’t one of major need for the Colts, adding some high-upside depth isn’t a bad idea at all.
Here’s what Lance Zierlein of NFL.com had to say about Gordon after comparing his play style to that of Byron Jones:
“Cornerback who comes with an elite, high-performance engine but a GPS still in the process of loading. Gordon’s dynamic athletic qualities will show up in testing, but more importantly, they are all over his tape. His blend of play strength and explosive burst affects the passing game from press, off-man and zone coverages. He plays with an alpha demeanor and hitting is definitely part of his overall package. Gordon lacks polish and needs to play with better route recognition and anticipation, but if those elements click, his ball production could be near the top of the league as one of the top playmakers in the game.”
Adding a high-upside piece to a room currently consisting of Kenny Moore, Rock Ya-Sin and Isaiah Rodgers would certainly solidify the room. But fixing the pass rush is still the top priority.
Round 3 | No. 82 overall | Alabama WR John Metchie III
With their selection in the third round, the Colts got a discount on a wide receiver that would have gone much sooner had it not been for a torn ACL he suffered during the SEC Championship game.
Here’s what Zierlein said about Metchie’s game and how it may translate to the NFL:
“NFL slot projection with good polish but a lack of noteworthy elements in his game. Metchie has decent size but average play speed. He’s proficient in more sophisticated routes but lacks explosiveness to separate and will have to prove he can become a more physical wideout to win contested catches at the pro level. He can play multiple receiver spots and has the ability to take what the scheme provides him. As long as his recovery from an ACL tear goes smoothly, Metchie has a chance to become a starting slot receiver with a relatively modest ceiling.”
The wide receiver position is one of the biggest needs for the Colts this offseason. Whether they decide to add a short-term option in free agency or add to the room with one of their early picks in the draft remains to be seen. But they have to get more help outside of Michael Pittman Jr. if this offense is going to improve.
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