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INDIANAPOLIS – We are just two weeks away from the 2019 NFL Draft.
As the Mock Drafts start to pour in more frequently, we are starting to see a slight shift in what is being targeted to the Colts at pick No. 26.
Here is our fifth Mock Draft look for 2019:
ESPN.com’s Todd McShay: DE-Clelin Ferrell (Clemson)
McShay’s Analysis: Still hanging around late in the first, Ferrell slides in as a great fit at end in the Colts’ 4-3. Indy can still get a receiver early in Round 2.
Pro Football Focus’ Mike Renner: WR-J.J. Arcega-Whiteside (Stanford)
Renner’s Analysis: Arcega-Whiteside fits perfectly with what Indianapolis already has on offense.
MMQB’s Connor Orr: DE-Rashan Gary (Michigan)
Orr’s Analysis: Gary will probably not be here, however, if the draft shakes out and certain teams prioritize production (he had 9.5 sacks in three years at Michigan) maybe the Colts get lucky. Indianapolis met with him during the pre-draft process, and their due diligence pays off.
Washington Post’s John Clayton: DT-Dexter Lawrence (Clemson)
Clayton’s Analysis: General Manager Chris Ballard fixed the offensive line in last year’s draft, in addition to starting to rebuild the defense. That process can continue this year, and Lawrence would give the defensive line a dominant interior force.
NFL.com’s Charlie Casserly: WR-A.J. Brown (Ole Miss)
Casserly’s Analysis: Brown will fit the slot for the Colts, but he can also play outside, too.
The Athletic’s Dane Brugler: WR-A.J. Brown (Ole Miss)
Brugler’s Analysis: Colts general manager Chris Ballard got Andrew Luck some help on the offensive line early in last year’s draft. And this year, he might look to upgrade his quarterback’s receiving arsenal with a player like Brown, who is a natural route runner with strong hands, working outside or in the slot.
MOCK DRAFT TOTALS
In each installment of the mock draft looks we will total up all the positions pundits have pegged for the Colts throughout the draft process.
–1st Mock Draft Look (January 29)
–2nd Mock Draft Look (February 13)
–3rd Mock Draft Look (March 11)
–4th Mock Draft Look (April 6)
Totals:
WR-N’Keal Harry (3)
DT-Christian Wilkins (3)
DT-Dexter Lawrence (3)
S-Jonathan Abram (2)
CB-Deandre Baker (2)
DL-Jeffery Simmons (2)
WR-Marqise Brown (2)
DT-Jerry Tillery (2)
WR-A.J. Brown (2)
WR-J.J. Arcega-Whiteside (1)
CB-Trayvon Mullen (1)
WR-Kelvin Harmon (1)
CB-Justin Layne (1)
WR-Terry McLaurin (1)
DL-Rashan Gary (1)
DE-Clelin Ferrell (1)
Bowen’s Analysis: It’s taken some 30 Mock Drafts but we finally have found our first edge rusher(s) being slotted to the Colts. The incredible defensive line talent from Clemson is sending Clelin Ferrell to the Colts in our latest mock run downs. Ferrell, along with Michigan’s Rashan Gary, are the first ‘edge’ rushers to be pegged to the Colts of five separate mock draft compilations we’ve done since January. Honestly, I can’t see Gary falling this fall. If there’s been one ‘edge’ guy that has been around the 20-ish mix as of late, it’s been Ferrell. But even him getting all the way to 26 might be a slight surprise. The other defensive lineman is big man Dexter Lawrence. Probably 10-to-15 years ago, Lawrence would have been a top-10 pick, but the value for a defensive tackle of his size has diminished a bit. Still, he has some impressive traits and can even get after the passer. Remeber, the Colts do not have a definte wide body in the middle of their defense moving forward. We continue to see plenty of wide receiver flavor for the Colts in Round One. Although, A.J. Brown is a new name for the Colts. At nearly 230 pounds, Brown isn’t your prototypical body type for a slot receiver, but some pundits believe he is the best one in the Draft. Arcega-Whiteside is a personal favorite, however his name has been thrown around much later than No. 26. The analytics folks at Pro Football Focus really like the big Stanford receiver.
