INDIANAPOLIS – Draft maniacs, we are less than a month away from the 2021 NFL Draft.
Hallelujah.
Free agency has quieted down majorly, even though we shouldn’t be surprised if the Colts make another move or two between now and the draft, which begins April 29th.
Remember, the Colts currently have 6 draft picks in 2021 (traded their 3rd rounder to Philadelphia).
It’s time for another Mock Draft look as pro days have been the craze with the month of March coming to a close.
Here is our fourth Mock Draft look for 2021:
ESPN’s Mel Kiper: Pick No. 21: DE-Gregory Rousseau (Miami)
Kiper’s Analysis: Under general manager Chris Ballard, the Colts never go all out in free agency, focusing instead on low-cost, short-term deals. And even though they could still bring back veteran edge rusher Justin Houston, this could be a spot to take a young defender. Rousseau had 15.5 sacks in 2019 and then opted out of this past season. He has an up-and-down evaluation, but you can’t deny his production and size (6-foot-7, 250 pounds). He has a high ceiling. Indianapolis also has a hole at left tackle after Anthony Costanzo retired.
NFL.com’s Bucky Brooks: Pick No. 21: DE-Jalean Phillips (Miami)
Brooks’ Analysis: The Colts must be able to generate pressure with a four-man rush to effectively run Matt Eberflus’ version of Tampa 2. Phillips is a skilled technician with a non-stop motor and a polished game.
CBS Sports’ Josh Edwards: Pick No. 21: DE-Jalean Phillips (Miami)
Edwards’ Analysis: Indianapolis gets younger and longer on the edge. Jaelan Phillips is still an ascending talent and will be a vital member of that young defensive nucleus.
Pro Football Focus’ Austin Gayle: Pick No. 21: WR-Rashod Bateman (Minnesota)
Gayle’s Analysis: Bateman isn’t a freak athlete with high-end top speed, but he’s still one of the best pure separators in this class because of his ability to get off the line of scrimmage and win with efficient route-running. The former Minnesota standout led the country in yards per route from an outside alignment as a sophomore in 2019.
Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer: No. 21 DE-Jalean Phillips (Miami)
Breer’s Analysis: Edge rusher is one spot that hasn’t yet been fully taken care of in GM Chris Ballard’s rebuild of the roster, and Phillips has the measureables that Indy looks for in the defensive end spot. Medicals will have to check out here, but Phillips’s upside is enough to jump on, in lieu of a left tackle slipping here.
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 1st)
Totals:
DE-Gregory Rousseau (4)
WR-Rashod Bateman (2)
DE-Jalean Phillips (2)
QB-Mac Jones (1)
QB-Kyle Trask (1)
CB-Tyson Campbell (1)
DE-Kwity Payne (1)
OT-Samuel Cosmi (1)
WR-Kadarius Toney (1)
CB-Jaycee Horn (1)
OT-Liam Eichenberg (1)
OT-Aljiah Vera-Tucker (1)
OT-Christan Darrisaw (1)
CB-Greg Newsome (1)
Bowen’s Analysis: Well, the Colts have had success before with first-round draft picks out of the University of Miami. This time though it’s coming on the defensive side of the ball with the Colts being pegged for both of the intriguing edge rushers from The U. Phillips, who brings mouth-watering athletic traits at 6-5 and 266 pounds, was a heralded high school recruit who actually retired from college football in 2018 due to concussions. He then transferred from UCLA to Miami and flourished in stepping in for Rousseau, ironically. It was Rousseau who opted out of the 2020 season, and that was when Phillips had 15.5 tackles for loss and 8.0 sacks. Rousseau was outstanding in 2019, finishing the year with 15.5 sacks and 19.5 tackles for loss. The length of Rousseau is what jumps off the film. He didn’t test out that well at Miami’s Pro Day and only played college football for one true season. It’s interesting to see no offensive tackles slotted to the Colts this time around. Under this scenario, the Colts would likely have to tap into that deeper offensive tackle class in Round Two. Along with these two edge rushers, Bateman has been the guy appearing to the Colts at No. 21 on two separate occasions.
