Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports
The NFL draft season is in full swing after the NFL Combine. When it comes to the Indianapolis Colts and their first-round pick, three players have been very popular in these mock drafts.
Many different websites and people have done mock drafts. By looking at all these mock drafts, we can see which players are most often picked for the Colts.
The list below includes the top three players who the Colts often pick. There is also one player who is gaining popularity as the draft gets closer.
3. Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia
The NFL mock draft database shows that 12.3% of the mock drafts so far have picked Bowers for the Colts at the 15th overall pick. In a recent article from ESPN, Matt Miller said that a source from another team believes the Colts will “run to turn in the card” and select Bowers if he’s available at the 15th pick.
Bowers would make an immediate impact on the passing game as a player who creates matchup problems for opposing defenses. He was a very reliable target at Georgia and was excellent at gaining extra yards after the catch. When offenses have a tight end like Bowers, who can move around the field and affect both the running and passing games, it makes the offense harder to predict because of all the things he can do.
2. Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo
According to the NFL mock draft database, Mitchell has been selected for the Colts in 16.7% of the mock drafts. Cornerback is the Colts’ biggest need that they need to address. Last season, the secondary as a whole gave up too many big plays and ranked 22nd in both yards per pass attempt allowed and pass breakups forced.
Mitchell can do it all. He’s a great fit for Gus Bradley’s zone-heavy defensive scheme, but he also has the ability to play man-to-man coverage. He tested very well at the NFL Combine and brings a physical style of play to the position. During the 2022 and 2023 seasons, Mitchell had 27 pass breakups and 6 interceptions.
1. Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama
Alabama’s Terrion Arnold is the player who the Colts have selected the most this offseason, appearing in 19.5% of the mock drafts. Arnold showed his ball-hawking abilities last season, recording 5 interceptions and 13 pass breakups.
Pro Football Focus graded him as the second-highest cornerback against the run, and he only allowed a 52% completion rate.
In addition to the secondary’s struggles throughout the season, during their final 4 games with a playoff spot on the line, they gave up a 68% completion rate, which ranked 30th in the league.
Picking up Steam: Cooper DeJean, CB, Iowa
As we get closer to the actual draft, more and more mock drafts have the Colts selecting Iowa’s Cooper DeJean with the 15th overall pick, especially after his impressive Pro Day performance. DeJean’s zone coverage skills make him an ideal fit for Gus Bradley’s defense.
In addition to primarily playing on the boundary at Iowa, he can also line up at safety, another position of need for the Colts, or be a backup option in the slot behind Kenny Moore.
DeJean’s versatility can unlock a lot of possibilities for the defense. Along with what DeJean will bring to an NFL defense, he was also a dynamic punt returner during his time at Iowa.
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