Expert: Matt Miller, Bleacher Report
Date of mock draft: Feb. 5 (link)
Selection: Bradley Chubb, defensive end, North Carolina State
Analysis: "If the Indianapolis Colts keep this pick instead of trading out to a quarterback-needy team, I expect NC State's Bradley Chubb to be the selection. Of course, it's early February and that could change, but the big pass-rusher is exactly what this team lacks. Chubb has power in his 275-pound frame and uses it well to shed blockers, but he's much more agile than one would expect from someone his size. He can stand up and rush the quarterback or put his hand in the dirt to crash the backfield. Chubb's scheme versatility is a sell in today's NFL when defenses rarely stay in a base 4-3 or 3-4. If not a trade out or Chubb, the Colts front office could go "best player available" here and draft Saquon Barkley from Penn State. It wouldn't be a huge surprise to load up the offense, but the needs on defense make it more likely right now that Chubb is the pick."
——————————Expert:Dan Kadar, SBNation
Date of mock draft:Feb. 5 (link)
Selection:Bradley Chubb, defensive end, North Carolina State
Analysis: "When the Colts are choosing between Chubb and Penn State's Saquon Barkley, it may come down to pass rusher being a more valued position than running back. Chubb is one of the draft's five best players, so it's not like this is that much of a stretch."
——————————Expert:Chris Trapasso, CBS Sports
Date of mock draft:Feb. 5 (link)
Selection:Bradley Chubb, defensive end, North Carolina State
Analysis: "The Colts need wide-ranging improvements on defense, particularly up front. Chubb is a three-down game-changer who'll instantly help Indianapolis fluster the likes of Deshaun Watson and Marcus Mariota in the division."
——————————Expert:Charlie Campbell, WalterFootball.com
Date of mock draft:Feb. 5 (link)
Selection:Bradley Chubb, defensive end, North Carolina State
Analysis: "The Colts grab an edge defender who can be the building block for their defense and a potential franchise defensive player. Chubb totaled 73 tackles with 25 for a loss, 10 sacks, three forced fumbles and two passes batted in 2017. He was awesome against Florida State, making some huge plays to lead N.C. State to a road upset with two sacks, a forced fumble and seven tackles. Chubb dominated the competition in 2017, playing like a top-10 pick. The 6-foot-4, 275-pound Chubb has scheme flexibility and has been a tough defender for the Wolfpack. He has good quickness for a big defensive end and has shown the ability to get off blocks with his strength and hand usage. Chubb has developed some variety in pass-rushing moves and looks like an asset as a future three-down starter in the NFL. In 2016, he totaled 58 tackles with 22 tackles for a loss, 10.5 sacks, three forced fumbles and one pass batted. As a sophomore in 2015, Chubb collected 5.5 sacks."
——————————Expert:R.J. White, CBS Sports
Date of mock draft:Feb. 2 (link)
Selection:Bradley Chubb, defensive end, North Carolina State
Analysis: "Chubb is easily the best pass-rusher in the class, and the Colts need to boost their pass rush after recording just 25 sacks in 2017 (31st in NFL). Chubb would have an immediate impact, and the Colts should be happy with either him or Barkley here."
——————————Expert:Luke Easterling, Draftwire/USA Today
Date of mock draft:Feb. 1 (link)
Selection:Bradley Chubb, defensive end, North Carolina State
Analysis: "I wouldn't be surprised if an offensive-minded coach … grabs Saquon Barkley here, but the Colts have much bigger needs elsewhere on both sides of the ball. The more glaring need is for a dominant pass-rusher, and Chubb's complete skill set fits the bill perfectly."
——————————Expert:Walter Cherepinsky, WalterFootball.com
Date of mock draft:Feb. 1 (link)
Selection:Bradley Chubb, defensive end, North Carolina State
Analysis: "Indianapolis has some nice edge rushers in Jabaal Sheard and John Simon, but neither is the elite talent Bradley Chubb happens to be. With Saquon Barkley off the board, Chubb is one of the two best players available. The Colts don't need a safety (Minkah Fitzpatrick), and it might be too early to select a guard (Quenton Nelson), so Chubb makes the most sense at No. 3 overall. Chubb steadily moved up my mock drafts during the season. At 6-4, 275, Chubb has a great blend of size and speed, and he's been dominant this season. There's some talk that Chubb is viewed as the top defensive prospect in NFL circles."
——————————Expert: Bucky Brooks, NFL.com
Date of mock draft: Jan. 30 (link)
Selection: Bradley Chubb, defensive end, North Carolina State
Analysis: "Rugged defender with a power-based game that overwhelms blockers on the edge."
**——————————
Expert:** Lance Zierlein, NFL.com
Date of mock draft: Jan. 30 (link)
Selection: Bradley Chubb, defensive end, North Carolina State
Analysis: "The Colts could go in several directions with this pick, but adding Chubb would address a need without them having to reach to do so."
——————————Expert:Bryan Fischer, Athlon Sports & Life
Date of mock draft:Jan. 30 (link)
Selection:Bradley Chubb, defensive end, North Carolina State
Analysis: "With enough quarterbacks still on the board, chances are high that the new Colts brain trust pulls a Bill Belichick and trades back to add more picks. If Indy stays put though, it's going to be hard to pass up the best defensive player in the draft in Chubb, who will help provide a pass rush to a team that desperately needs one and provide a young building block in the trenches for the team."
——————————Expert: Daniel Jeremiah, NFL Network
Date of mock draft: Jan. 26 (link)
Selection: Bradley Chubb, defensive end, North Carolina State
Analysis: "The Colts have several needs to address, but a premier pass rusher is at the top of the list."
——————————Expert: Mel Kiper Jr., ESPN
Date of mock draft: Jan. 18 (link; requires ESPN Insider access)
Selection: Bradley Chubb, defensive end, North Carolina State
Analysis: "Indianapolis is in a good spot to take the best non-quarterback available, and the No. 1 pass-rusher in this class is Chubb. He has a tremendous motor and has been unblockable for two straight years. He has 46.5 tackles for loss since the beginning of the 2016 season. Chubb was the tone-setter for the Wolfpack, and coaches raved about him as a leader. The Colts ranked 31st in the league in sacks (25) this season, and Chubb is a great fit."
——————————Expert:Steve Palazzolo, Pro Football Focus
Date of mock draft:Jan. 18 (link)
Selection:Maurice Hurst, defensive tackle, Michigan
Analysis: "The Colts can go a number of ways with this pick, but adding difference-makers on the defensive side must be an offseason priority. Hurst fits the bill as an interior disruptor, as he finished 2017 with the top grade at any position at 96.8. He notched 14 sacks, 29 QB hits and 70 hurries on 782 career rushes. He can also create havoc in the run game, as he ranked second in the nation with his run-defense grade of 94.2."
——————————Expert:Eric Galko, Sporting News
Date of mock draft:Jan. 17 (link)
Selection:Orlando Brown, offensive tackle, Oklahoma
Analysis: "The Colts are in a great spot at No. 3. Their three biggest needs are offensive tackle, edge rusher and running back, and they have three high-end prospects to choose from here. Offensive tackle would be my pick, as keeping Andrew Luck healthy is more important than giving him rushing support or defensive help."
——————————Expert:Josh Norris, Rotoworld
Date of mock draft:Jan. 9 (link)
Selection:Bradley Chubb, defensive end, North Carolina State
Analysis: "The Colts have a number of non-guaranteed contract decisions to make on the defensive side of the ball. The goal of this pick is to find a prospect who creates big plays. Saquon Barkley does that on offense, and Jim Irsay insinuated he'd be in favor of this pick, but the perceived best edge rusher in the country would be ideal as well."
——————————Expert: Todd McShay, ESPN
Date of mock draft: Dec. 13, 2017 (link; requires ESPN Insider access)
Selection: Bradley Chubb, defensive end, North Carolina State
Analysis: "This team has needs all over, but it is one of the few in the top 10 that should be set at QB, with a (presumably) healthy Andrew Luck coming back next season. Without an offensive tackle worthy of such a high pick, I'm looking for edge help here. Chubb has a great skill set and a nonstop motor, and he has played his way into being a top-10 pick. He is a plug-and-play starter."
