INDIANAPOLIS – Let’s all pour one out for 2021 Mock Draft.
We have (finally) reached the 2021 NFL Draft, and that means the final mock drafts of the season are here.
For the Colts, it continues to mean heavy attention at two major needs when pick No. 21 comes around, along with some trade downs.
Here is our final Mock Draft look for 2021:
ESPN’s Todd McShay: Pick No. 21: WR-Elijah Moore (Ole Miss)
McShay’s Analysis: Christian Darrisaw could have been a replacement for Anthony Castonzo, who announced his retirement in January, at left tackle, and Jaelan Phillips could have been an impact edge rusher for the Colts. But they’re both off the board. Instead, Moore gives new quarterback Carson Wentz a savvy route runner out of the slot.
NBC Sports’ Peter King: Pick No. 26 (trade back with Cleveland): OT-Samuel Cosmi (Texas)
King’s Analysis: Tackle Liam Eichenberg of Notre Dame is possible (Colts GM Chris Ballard and coach Frank Reich were at his Pro Day, for what that’s worth), because he’s a steady-Eddie guy, reliable like the retired Anthony Castonzo. But Cosmi’s upside is probably higher. Cosmi started 34 games at tackle for Texas—21 at left tackle, 13 at right—and at 6-6 and 315 pounds had an NFL frame with the ability to get a little bigger. One other thing about this pick: I could see the Colts trade down again to pick up another third or fourth-round pick, or a pick next year, because they figure they can get a tackle around 35 anyway. One of the things I expect to see, particularly lower in the round, will be for teams to look for 2022 picks either instead of or in addition to a 2021 pick. That’s because teams trust the 2022 draft more than this year’s. There will be a full season, most likely, with a regular combine.
NFL.com’s Daniel Jeremiah: Pick No. 21: DE-Joe Tryon (Washington)
Jeremiah’s Analysis: I could see the Colts trading down before selecting an offensive lineman or pass rusher. Tryon has all the traits teams look for in an edge defender.
CBS Sports’ Ryan Wilson: Pick No. 21: OT-Teven Jenkins (Oklahoma State)
Wilson’s Analysis: Anthony Castonzo has announced his retirement and Jenkins, who plays with an edge, is athletic, has great feet, and moves well in space. He can also man the left or right tackle positions.
Renner’s Analysis: The Colts quite obviously need a left tackle, and they’ve even said there’s a lot of guys they think can step in and start right away. There’s no bigger wild card than Little, who has only played 72 snaps over the past two years.
The Athletic’s Dane Brugler: Pick No. 21 DE-Jaelan Phillips (Miami)
Brugler’s Analysis: The Colts would love to trade back from this spot and add extra draft capital, especially with their need to address left tackle. But if they stay put, a high-ceiling pass rusher like Phillips could be in play.
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 13th)
–2nd Mock Draft Look (February 3rd)
–3rd Mock Draft Look (March 4th)
–4th Mock Draft Look (March 30th)
–5th Mock Draft Look (April 26th)
Totals:
DE-Jalean Phillips (5)
DE-Gregory Rousseau (4)
OT-Samuel Cosmi (2)
OT-Teven Jenkins (2)
OT-Christan Darrisaw (2)
WR-Rashod Bateman (2)
WR-Elijah Moore (1)
OT-Walker Little (1)
DE-Joe Tryon (1)
DE-Jayson Oweh (1)
CB-Tyson Campbell (1)
DE-Kwity Payne (1)
WR-Kadarius Toney (1)
CB-Jaycee Horn (1)
OT-Liam Eichenberg (1)
OT-Aljiah Vera-Tucker (1)
CB-Greg Newsome (1)
QB-Mac Jones (1)
QB-Kyle Trask (1)
Bowen’s Analysis: While we see the two biggest needs of the Colts addressed in this final mock draft, let’s start with something we saw on two different occasions here—trading back. Obviously depending on what the board looks like, it seems many fans would sign up for a plan of trading back, yet still drafting a left tackle of the future late in the first round. The debate more so comes down to whether or not such a trade back would involve re-cooping that 3rd rounder lost in this year’s draft (for the trade of Carson Wentz) or looking at a 2022 selection, knowing that you are losing an even higher selection in next year’s draft. Seeing the likes of Tryon and Little slotted to the Colts at No. 21 is something we haven’t seen, really at all, in draft season. Even though Jim Irsay stated the need at cornerback for this football team a few weeks ago, we haven’t seen many (any?) corners added to the pundits picks at No. 21. That’s something to watch play out over the next couple of days. A wide receiver at No. 21? That’s interesting, but could fall into the best player available avenue.
