American Football

Compton: Colts 2024 7-Round Mock Draft

April 24, 2024

Syndication: Detroit Free Press — Eric Seals / USA TODAY NETWORK

After nearly three months since the conclusion of the 2023 NFL season, the NFL Draft is finally here. Noah Compton provides a potential haul for the Indianapolis Colts.

The 2024 NFL Draft is officially upon us and teams across the league are putting the finishing touches on their respective big boards.

The Indianapolis Colts, who are looking to take the next step with 2nd-year QB Anthony Richardson, have a handful of needs to weigh for their 1st draft selection which is currently slotted for the 15th pick in the 1st round. Explosive offensive playmaker or secondary help remain the biggest needs for the Colts’ current makeup.

Thankfully, with GM Chris Ballard manning the charge, one thing is a guarantee: these eventual Colts draftees will possess top-tier athleticism. It’s less of a trend at this point and more of a type that Ballard and Co. have. Nonetheless, I will be taking my only stab at predicting who the Colts will draft this weekend.

Round 1, Pick 19 (via Rams): Brian Thomas Jr., WR, LSU

TRADE: Colts send the No. 15 (first round) and No. 151 (fifth round) picks to the Los Angeles Rams for the No. 19 (first round), No. 83 (third round), and No. 99 (third round) picks

As is tradition, GM Chris Ballard kicks off the Colts’ draft by electing to trade back from his original first-round pick to gain additional draft capital. The Colts were able to find a trade partner in the Rams’ GM Les Snead, a particularly shocking move from the man known to dish out first-round picks instead of strengthening his draft position. This move allowed Chris Ballard and Co. to add two third-round picks while only surrendering four draft spots and an additional fourth.

The addition of Brian Thomas Jr. adds an explosive element to an offense that’s ready to employ him. The arm talent of Anthony Richardson coupled with the already established offensive line and weapons that are in Indy screams perfect fit when envisioning what Thomas Jr. could add to this unit.

Thomas Jr. is an elite deep-threat option the moment he steps on an NFL field. Leading the FBS in touchdowns last season (17), Thomas Jr.’s scoring ability is apparent, but even more so the deeper the play gets. His 12 touchdowns on passes targeted 20+ yards downfield in 2023 ranks 2nd among the class while his 68.2 catch % on such plays ranks first. This is exactly the type of skillset that HC Shane Steichen is searching for in a WR opposite Michael Pittman Jr.

As an athlete, Brian Thomas is everything the Colts look for. He posted a 9.84 Relative Athletic Score, showcasing his 4.33 speed at 6’2”. His late breakout and athletic prowess prove to be up Ballard’s alley, plus he’s been dealing with a minor shoulder injury that ultimately allows the Colts to move back 4 spots.

Round 2, Pick 46: Max Melton, CB, Rutgers

The Indianapolis Colts address their other biggest need by being patient and waiting for pick 46 to strike. Rutgers’ CB Max Melton exudes everything — as a prospect and player — that GM Chris Ballard and DC Gus Bradley look for in a cornerback.

Competitive toughness, physical traits, and even special teams upside? Not to mention his 74th percentile arm length, something Chris Ballard and his team prioritize, Melton is a Colts prospect through and through.

Colts fans far and wide were crushed when the L’Jarius Sneed to Indy talks fell through but do not fret, Melton’s versatility is akin to Sneed’s. Genuinely, their athletic profiles are eerily similar. Although no two players are the same, Melton’s hypothetical 4-year rookie contract would be perfect to bet on given he has multiple avenues to success. Whether that’s becoming the team’s starting boundary CB alongside JuJu Brents or if that means eventually taking over for Kenny Moore II as the team’s successor at slot corner, Melton has a fruitful NFL career waiting for him.

Round 3, Pick 82: Mason McCormick, OL, South Dakota State

The Colts elected to go iOL semi-early with SDSU G Mason McCormick. A shrine bowl standout, McCormick enters the league as a plus run blocker with an inside track to adding center’s duties to his plate.

It may seem like a head-scratcher of a pick with Will Fries emerging in 2023 as a viable starting RG, however, you can never have too much depth across the interior, especially when you consider Ryan Kelly’s career trajectory. Kelly still has some good years in him, but being proactive about his inevitable departure is key and McCormick provides that potential on top of at the very least being serviceable depth on the interior.

Round 3, Pick 95 (Via Chiefs): Jaylx Hunt, EDGE, Houston Christian

TRADE: Colts send the No. 83 (third round) pick to the Kansas City Chiefs for the No. 95 (third round) and No. 131 (fourth round) picks

Jalyx Hunt is a lengthy player at EDGE whose natural explosivity takes his athletic makeup to where he likes to go, (aka the QB). The Houston Christian product is a former safety convert who transferred in from Cornell. Although he’s still a bit raw as a pass rusher, his ridiculous makeup as an athlete makes it worthwhile when betting on his traits late on Day 2.

Round 3, Pick 99 (Via Rams): Ben Sinnott, TE, Kansas State

Even though they missed out on consensus top TE Brock Bowers, HC Shane Steichen would be thrilled to add the best blocking TE in the entire class. A former walk-on and fullback hybrid, Ben Sinnott is to many, the safest TE prospect in the class. Not only does he provide mauling services in the blocking game, but his top-tier explosive testings to go with his positional versatility render him unpassable for Indy at the end of the 3rd round.

Round 4, Pick 117: Jordan Magee, LB, Temple

Day 3 linebackers and GM Chris Ballard, I implore you to find a better duo than those two. Since he arrived in Indianapolis in 2017, Ballard has been dubbed the king of drafting off-ball LBs, especially on Day 3 (rounds 4-7).

Before, it was the now-starting duo of Zaire Franklin and EJ Speed. This time, it’s an attempt to sure up the pass coverage woes that reside within the LB room. By selecting Jordan Magee, the Colts are valuing high upside coverage with a special contributor as the absolute floor.

Round 4, Pick 131 (Via Chiefs): Tyrone Tracy, RB, Purdue

In back-to-back drafts, a hometown kid indeed comes home. Tyrone Tracy is a former WR and Iowa commit who finally was rewarded his shot in the backfield this past season (21.9 percent of his carries in 2023 resulted in a 10-plus-yard run, which ranked top 5 in the FBS). With receiving prowess and return ability to show for, Tracy slots in to be a perfect complement in the Colts’ RB room.

Round 6, Pick 191: Trey Taylor, S, Air Force

Trey Taylor brings athleticism, discipline, and experience to the shoe at pick 191. The 2023 Thorpe Award winner has flown under most radars throughout the pre-draft process, though his Shrine Bowl performance cemented his NFL talent if his award for being the best safety in the country didn’t already.

A part of waiting until now to add to an already questionable safety room is predicting the Colts will add to its room by way of free agency following the draft. Until then, Taylor will fill in as the next low-risk, high-reward safety to fit for a starting spot.

Round 7, Pick 234: Ryan Watts, DB, Texas

Free safety or cornerback, Ryan Watts possesses the athleticism to make either work at the next level. In terms of late Day 3 defensive back picks you could make, this one, in particular, feels like a Chris Ballard type of pick.

At nearly 6’3”, 210 lbs, not only does Watts produce freakshow numbers for his size, but his otherworldly arm length (34 1/2) cements him as a Colts prospect. His play on the field could use some disciplining, however, his athletic prowess and special teams upside sell you on a DB who still needs a home, positionally.

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Compton: Colts 2024 7-Round Mock Draft

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