INDIANAPOLIS – It is time.
One year after (somehow) correctly predicting Michael Pittman to the Colts at No. 34 overall, we are back with another Mock Draft.
This year’s prediction comes with normal uncertainty and plenty of mind racing at all the different paths that could be explored.
Also, we are ‘team no trade’ in this mock, because that confuses things in projecting a team that would actually be willing to move up without any idea of what the board looks like.
Without further ado, here is a 2021 Mock Draft for the Indianapolis Colts:
Round 1-21: OT-Samuel Cosmi (Texas)
Analysis: Ideally, the Colts would trade down here and potentially draft Cosmi later in Round 1, or even at the top of Round 2. If a top-flight corner falls to the Colts (think Northwestern’s Greg Newsome), I could see them making that selection at No. 21. I just don’t think the edge class fits the No. 21 slot (I’ve got Kwity Paye coming off the board before No. 21). Cosmi is a pretty good athlete, was a team captain and started 34 straight games at Texas, including 21 of those starts at left tackle. It’s Cosmi’s experience at left tackle that gives him a slight bump over Oklahoma State’s Teven Jenkins. There’s a knock on Cosmi for his lack of a wingspan, but his athleticism can cover up a bit of that. If the Colts want to rely on the offensive line depth in this draft class, which Chris Ballard has mentioned, North Dakota State’s Dillon Radunz makes sense in Round 2. However, Ballard loves a good athlete at tackle to hand to the coaches for development, and Cosmi fits that. One thing to remember about this selection, with all the offensive talent projected to go before the Colts, Ballard could/will be looking at a board with some of the best defensive players in this draft still available. That will be part of the ‘make the pick’ or ‘trade back’ dilemma.
Round 2-54: DE-Joe Tryon (Washington)
Analysis: Good luck finding an edge rushing prospect that won’t cause any debate in Round 1 or Round 2. We’ll throw a dart here at Tryon, who stands 6-5, weighs nearly 260 pounds and ran 4.65 in the 40-yard dash at his pro day. With a long wingspan and some above average explosion numbers, Tryon has a good-looking frame coming off the edge. The elephant in the room for Tryon will be him opting out of last year as the Pac-12 continued to delay the start of last season. Tryon had 8.0 sacks and 12.5 tackles for loss in 2019, and seems to check the important character box. With the Colts lack of serious free agency attention to this spot, it’s difficult for me to wait more than 70 picks to take such a pressing need. Tryon might not have the blue trait ‘pop’ off the edge as a rusher, but his frame should allow for him to hold up on 3 downs and be a nice long-term DE in the starting lineup.
Round 4-127: WR-Tylan Wallace (Oklahoma State)
Analysis: In the last three years (31 games), Wallace put up 3,316 receiving yards and 26 touchdowns. Those are eye-popping numbers, even in the pass-happy Big 12. Wallace stands just 5-11 and 194 pounds and ran 4.49 in the 40-yard dash, but his film showcases an extremely productive player. You see big-play ability on film and him playing larger than his 5-11 frame. Drops weren’t an issue either. There are some concerns over a nagging right knee (Wallace tore his right ACL to end his 2019 season early), but if he can stay healthy, the NFL team drafting him will not be disappointed. Seth Williams (Auburn) and Tamorrion Terry (Florida State) are two other interesting wideouts that could go on Day 3.
Round 5-165: DE-Shaka Toney (Penn State)
Analysis: Let’s take a couple shots at the edge rush need with these six picks. Toney isn’t huge for an NFL defensive end (6-2 and 242 pounds), but he was an All-Big Ten player with some noticeable testing/production numbers (and was a team captain). I don’t want this to turn into a Penn State debate of Jayson Oweh vs. Shaka Toney, but feel like it needs to be mentioned. The Colts love the ‘get off’ trait from their rushers. Well, Toney did have a quicker 10-yard split in the 40-yard dash than Oweh. The two actually had somewhat similar testing numbers in the explosion categories. Toney had 20.5 sacks in 4 seasons, whereas Oweh had 7.0 sacks in 3 seasons.
Round 6-206: TE-Kenny Yeboah (Ole Miss)
Analysis: For my liking, this is a little too long in waiting on a tight end. Guys like Miami’s Brevin Jordan (potential after the catch) and Notre Dame’s Tommy Tremble (a versatile chess piece with connections to Frank Reich) would be curious options much earlier. In Yeboah though, the Colts are getting a tight end known more for his receiving ability and plays after the catch. This is a player the Colts could detach, a la Eric Ebron, and hone in on more of the pass catching prowess to go alongside better blockers in Jack Doyle and Mo Alie-Cox.
Round 7-248: CB-Brandon Stephens (SMU)
Analysis: Honestly, not taking a cornerback until Round 7 is another reason why trading back makes sense (Hello, Paulson Adebo in Round 3). The need Jim Irsay mentioned earlier this month isn’t getting attention until the final pick of the draft. Stephens is a former college running back who played cornerback for just two seasons. He had 23 passes defensed though and tested well at the SMU pro day. With some fine-tuning in technique, there’s some potential to work with on another Day 3 cornerback.
