Indianapolis Colts Mock Drafts Comparison: Defense, OT or RB first?

By Federico Ferrari | Feb 27, 2015

What should the Indianapolis Colts do with the 29th overall pick in this year’s draft? The options are multiple as the Colts have holes to fill both on the offensive side (running back, offensive line, wide receiver) and on the defensive side of the ball (safety, defensive line).

I’ve been exploring the Internet looking for a lot of post-combine mock drafts drawn up by various draft experts and this is what I came up with. What follows is a list of draft prospects, sorted by position, associated with the Indianapolis Colts and a few words of analysis for each player.

Offensive Tackle

This is a very popular choice among draft experts since the Colts have to do a better job at protecting Andrew Luck. While the left side of the line is set with Anthony Castonzo at left tackle and Jack Mewhort at left guard, they could use an upgrade at center, right guard and right tackle.

Andrus Peat, Stanford: this is the pick of USA Today’s Nate Davis (check out his complete mock draft HERE) and NFL.com draft expert Daniel Jeremiah (see DJ’s full mock draft HERE), who describes Peat as a player that “has some rough moments on tape, but [he] has excellent size, quickness and intelligence.” He is considered one of the most NFL-ready prospects with excellent run-blocking skills and good (but not great) pass protection skills. Could start immediately at right tackle.

T.J. Clemmings, Pittsburgh: NFL.com’s Charles Davis choice for the 29th overall pick is the tackle from Pittsburgh (you can see his mock draft HERE), an extremely talented but still a bit raw player. He is a former basketball player in highschool and because of the late switch to tackle he has to improve his technique. A physically gifted athlete, Clemmings has a really high ceiling among the pros.

La’el Collins, LSU: one of the most versatile prospect at his position Collins should be drafted by the Colts according to ESPN’s analysts Mel Kiper and Todd McShay (ESPN Insider subscrition required) and Sports Illustrated’s Don Banks (see his mock draft HERE). He might not be your ideal left tackle at the next level but the Colts could use him either at RT or shift him inside at RG where he could easily be the starter comes week 1.

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Running Back

Unless GM Ryan Grigson goes after a free agent running back the Colts are very likely to select one at 29. There’s a good chance that either Gurley or Gordon will be available and with either one they can add a young playmaker that their offense desperately needs.

Todd Gurley, Georgia: if not for the ACL injury Gurley would be a top-15 pick and that’s not up for discussion. His talent is evident and he has the potential to become Marshawn Lynch 2.0 if he can stay healthy so it’s unrealistic to think he’ll fall beyond the first 32 picks.

Melvin Gordon, Wisconsin: Similar in frame to Gurley, Gordon might lack top speed to outrun NFL defenders (he ran a 4.52 40-yard dash at the combine) but his initial burst is exceptional. A good pass catcher with shifty moves in the open field, Gordon is projected to the Colts by Bleacher Report’s Matt Miller (check out his mock draft HERE) and CBS Sports’ Rob Rang (you can take a look at Rang’s mock HERE).

Nov 8, 2014; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Oregon Ducks defensive lineman Arik Armstead (9) between plays during the second half against the Utah Utes at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Oregon won 51-27. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports

Defensive Tackle

With the loss of Ricky Jean Francois (who recently signed a 3-year, $9 million deal with the Washington Redskins) and the uncertainty about Cory Redding the Colts could very well draft a defensive tackle in the first round.

Arik Armstead, Oregon: projected by NFL.com draft expert Bucky Brooks (check out Brooks’ latest mock draft HERE) and by Dan Kadar (see his mock draft HERE) the 6′ 7” Armstead is a force on the inside of the defensive line and a plug-and-play defender who could start from day 1.

Jordan Phillips, Oklahoma: he has ideal measurables for the position and is athletic enough to become a dominant presence in any defensive line. The only concerns are his inconsistency and lack of pass rush technique but with the right coaching Phillips could be a more complete and competent NFL player.

Safety

LaRon Landry is gone and Mike Adams’ future is still up in the air so unless we see some free agents signed (or re-signed) this is definitely a need for the Colts. Too bad there isn’t much to choose from in the first round.

Landon Collins, Alabama: he is the only prospect at his position with first-round talent and should he fall into the Colts’ lap Collins should get some consideration. He played in a pro system under Nick Saban and is ready to start right away in the NFL. Collins will be the Colts’ pick according to CBS Sport’s Dane Brugler (click HERE to check out his mock draft) in his last two mock drafts.

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