INDIANAPOLIS — The future, they say, is now.
If you're the Indianapolis Colts, it's hard to believe your future is anything but bright — and the team tonight can continue building upon one of the more exciting young rosters in the NFL.
The 2019 NFL Draft kicks off tonight with the first round starting at 8 p.m. ET from Nashville, Tenn., and the Colts will, for a second straight year, enter the action with nine draft picks at their disposal.
Last year, general manager Chris Ballard and his staff turned their nine picks into 11, and ended up with one of the best draft classes in recent NFL memory; one that eventually included two First-Team All-Pro selections (linebacker Darius Leonard and guard Quenton Nelson), the NFL's Defensive Rookie of the Year (Leonard), another All-Rookie member along the offensive line (tackle Braden Smith) as well as several other key rookie contributors.
So what will the Colts do as an encore? Here's all the information you need to know heading into the 2019 NFL Draft.
Where to watch/listen:
The 2019 NFL Draft will be televised live from Nashville on the NFL Network, ABC, ESPN and ESPN Deportes, and can be heard nationwide on Westwood One Radio, SiriusXM NFL Radio, TuneIn Radio and ESPN Radio.
Round 1 begins at 8 p.m. Thursday; Rounds 2 and 3 begin at 7 p.m. ET Friday; and Rounds 4 through 7 begin at noon ET on Saturday.
Round 1 will be 10 minutes per pick; Round 2 will be seven minutes per pick; Rounds 3 through 6 will be five minutes per pick; and Round 7 will be four minutes per pick. Compensatory picks are five minutes for Rounds 3-6 and four minutes for Round 7 (the Colts currently have one fourth-round compensatory pick).
Where to follow:
Keep all your devices tuned in to Colts.com and @Colts on Twitter, as well as the Official Colts Mobile App, for all the latest breaking team news. Colts.com/draft is your official Colts 2019 NFL Draft Center. Also, be sure to like the Colts on Facebook and follow @Colts on Instagram for other great draft-related content.
Colts' picks:
As of now, the Colts will enter the 2019 NFL Draft with nine picks:
» 1st round (26th overall)
» 2nd round (34th overall; from Jets)
» 2nd round (59th overall)
» 3rd round (89th overall)
» 4th round (129th overall)
» 4th round (135th overall; compensatory pick)
» 5th round (164th overall)
» 6th round (199th overall)
» 7th round (240th overall)
What they're saying:
» Colts general manager Chris Ballard on Monday held his annual pre-draft press conference. What were the main takeaways from this session with reporters? Click here for more.
» Colts Productions is also bringing you "With The Next Pick," an exclusive, behind-the-scenes look at the Colts as they prepare for the 2019 NFL Draft. The fifth and final episode, which will feature a look inside the team's draft room throughout every round, is set to air at 8 p.m. Wednesday, May 1, on the Official Colts Mobile App, @Colts on Twitter, @Colts on Instagram and on the Colts’ official Facebook page. Need to get caught up? Want to watch every episode? You can find them all at Colts.com/NextPick.
Team needs:
Colts.com has identified wide receiver, defensive line and defensive back as the Colts' primary team needs heading into the draft. Click here to read more about where the team currently stands in those areas, as well as some draft prospects to keep an eye out for in those positions.
Top prospects:
This year's NFL Draft will feature 254 selections, including 32 compensatory choices that have been awarded to 15 teams that suffered a net loss of certain quality unrestricted free agents last year.
Who are the best of the best at each position in this year's NFL Draft class? Colts.com's Jake Arthur brings you his final Big Board here.
Best fits:
Who could the Colts be targeting in every round? We know the team's draft board has only about 170 players on it, and we know the team has about eight players they'd want with their first-round pick. That's about it. Chris Ballard & Co. prefer to keep their cards close to the vest.
But to help figure out some potential names to watch, Colts.com's Jake Arthur provided potential Colts options in Round 1, Round 2, Round 3 and Rounds 4-7.
Mock drafts:
We've compiled the final mock drafts of 43 "experts," who have given their best guess as to what the Colts will do with the 26th-overall pick. Check out that full list by clicking here.
You can also check out Colts.com's Jake Arthur's final mock draft — which features Colts picks in all seven rounds — by clicking here.
Prospect profiles:
Need an in-depth look at the talent in this year's NFL Draft? Colts.com has several prospect profiles for you; simply click here to check those out.
Keep an eye out for…:
» There will be three former Colts greats announcing some of the team's draft picks this year, and from varying locations. Former wide receiver Reggie Wayne will be announcing the team's second-round picks from Nashville; former punter Pat McAfee will also be announcing the team's third-round pick from Nashville; and another former wide receiver, Bill Brooks, will be announcing the Colts' sixth-round pick from downtown Muncie, Ind. The Colts will make their fourth- and fifth-round draft picks live from Riley Hospital for Children at Indiana University Health. Riley patients and personnel will join Colts players, cheerleaders and official mascot "Blue" for the picks.
Local events:
» The Colts on Thursday will host fans at Brothers Bar & Grill in Broad Ripple for the first round of the draft, featuring $3 -16 oz. Bud Light drink specials and opportunities to win Colts prizes. From 3-6 p.m. ET is a live broadcast of The Ride With JMV on 107.5 FM/1070 The Fan. From 7 p.m. through the end of the first round is live draft coverage on 107.5 FM/1070 The Fan, featuring Matt Taylor, Jim Sorgi, Joe Reitz and Rick Venturi. And from 7-9 p.m. ET is an appearance by Colts cheerleaders. This is all free and open to the public.
» On Friday, visit the 2019 Colts Official Draft Party, sponsored in part by Bud Light & Bullseye Event Group, at Brothers Bar & Grill in downtown Indianapolis, where there will be $3 -16 oz. Bud Light drink specials, Colts giveaways and opportunities to win Colts prizes. From 3-6 p.m. ET is a live broadcast of The Ride With JMV on 107.5 FM/1070 The Fan. From 7-9 p.m. ET is an autograph and photo opportunity with Colts running back Nyheim Hines and linebacker Anthony Walker, as well as an appearance by Colts cheerleaders. From 7 p.m. ET through the end of the third round will be live draft coverage on 107.5 FM/1070 The Fan, featuring Matt Taylor, Jim Sorgi, Joe Reitz and Rick Venturi. And from 8-9 p.m. ET, the Colts' official mascot, "Blue," will make an appearance. This is also all free and open to the public.
» Then, on Saturday, in honor of the 100th season of the NFL this year, the Colts will visit Muncie, Ind., one of the original NFL cities from 1920, to make their sixth-round draft pick. Bill Brooks, former Colts wide receiver and Ring of Honor inductee, will be on hand to announce the pick. The pick also will be livestreamed on Colts.com, NFL Now and the NFL Network. Muncie was home to the Muncie Flyers, one of the NFL's original franchises. Local fans, season ticket members, businesses and civic leaders will enjoy Colts inflatables, live entertainment, autographs and photos with Colts cheerleaders, a historical display on the Flyers and many other family-friendly events. This event is being held from 2-5:30 p.m. ET at Canan Commons, 600 S. Walnut St., in Muncie, and is free and open to the public.
