INDIANAPOLIS — The Indianapolis Colts have the 13th-overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. Here's your first compilation of the year taking a look at which players the various experts believe will land in Indianapolis.
- Charlie Campbell, WalterFootball.com
- Nick Klopsis, Newsday
- Michael Renner, Pro Football Focus
- Ryan Wilson, CBS Sports
- DraftTek.com
- Josh Edwards, CBS Sports
- Chris Trapasso, CBS Sports
- Walter Cherepinsky, WalterFootball.com
- Lance Zierlein, NFL.com
- Dan Kadar, SB Nation
- Bucky Brooks, NFL.com
- Mel Kiper, ESPN
- Kevin Hanson, MMQB
- Daniel Jeremiah, NFL.com
- Ben Standig, The Athletic
- Luke Easterling, The Draft Wire
- Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz, USA TODAY
- Dane Brugler, The Athletic
- Todd McShay, ESPN
- Matt Miller, Bleacher Report
- Joe Marino, The Draft Network
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Selection: Javon Kinlaw, DT, South Carolina
Expert: Charlie Campbell, WalterFootball.com
Date of mock draft: Feb. 3 (link)
Analysis: "Sources told me Indianapolis is interested in making a run at Jadeveon Clowney in free agency. That would make sense as the Colts could use more edge rush, but they could also use more talent on the inside of their defensive line. Here's a difference-maker for the inside. Kinlaw was superb for the Gamecocks in 2019, totaling 35 tackles, six sacks and two passes defended. The big defensive tackle broke out in 2018 with 4.5 sacks, 10 tackles for a loss and 38 tackles. The first thing that stands out about Kinlaw (6-5, 315) is his size. He is a tall, thick and good-looking athlete. After passing the eyeball test, one can see some special ability as Kinlaw really fires off the ball. He is quick to close and has strength to fight off blockers. Kinlaw gets in trouble when he stands up too high and working on his technique will help him to get more out of his excellent skill set. The junior college product has a lot of upside and has the size to play a variety of techniques in a 4-3 or 3-4 defense."
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Selection: CeeDee Lamb, WR, Oklahoma
Expert: Nick Klopsis, Newsday
Date of mock draft: Feb. 3 (link)
Analysis: "The Colts had several guys perform admirably amid injuries to T.Y. Hilton and Devin Funchess, but more depth is needed. Lamb's 6-3 frame and excellent body control help him make tough, contested catches, and he also has enough quickness to create separation off the snap."
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Selection: A.J. Epenesa, DE, Iowa
Expert: Michael Renner, Pro Football Focus
Date of mock draft: Feb. 3 (link)
Analysis: "Colts General Manager Chris Ballard lives to move down and accumulate more picks in the draft. Epenesa rarely flashed the on-field dominance that his immense physical tools at 6-foot-5, 280 pounds would suggest, but he was consistent against both the run and pass. His versatility would be the perfect addition to the Colts' defensive line."
Notes of interest: Renner has the Colts trading down to the 17th-overall pick
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Selection: CeeDee Lamb, WR, Oklahoma
Expert: Ryan Wilson, CBS Sports
Date of mock draft: Feb. 3 (link)
Analysis: "The Colts have needs on defense, for sure, but T.Y. Hilton missed six games and Zach Pascal led the team in receiving. Jacoby Brissett needs help and Lamb, a YAC monster, would certainly solve a lot of problems in Indy's downfield passing attack."
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Selection: Javon Kinlaw, DT, South Carolina
Expert: DraftTek.com
Date of mock draft: Feb. 1 (link)
Analysis: "All you really need to know about the 2020 NFL Draft for the Indianapolis Colts is this quote from GM Chris Ballard, in a recent interview on The Dan Dakich Show on 107.5 The Fan, and later printed on Colts.com. The Colts' GM stated, "I'll always - I'll preach this to the day I'm out of this game - you win up front; you win on the O-line, D-line. You need a collection of, especially on the offensive line, you need eight at all points." Ballard added, "I don't think you can ever have enough defensive linemen. And it takes time for those guys (to develop) - it might be as hard as any position to really develop rushers." So there you have it, Colts' fans. We're going OL or DL in RD1 and likely again. And again after that. Sure, there's a slight possibility that something happens to allow a QB or WR to be drafted (Free Agency acquisition like Chris Jones or Jadeveon Clowney?). But realistically, there's not a Patrick Mahomes or Andrew Luck in the bunch after Joe Burrow. What's more, Chris Ballard stated from his first day in Indy that this franchise isn't going to actually revolve around one guy. The thing the Colts DO have right now is a pretty solid offensive line, a very solid running game and a QB that --prior to his knee injury-- didn't lose games by making a bunch of mistakes. That all changed after Jacoby Brissett's injury. I doubt Ballard & Company is idle on the QB position this off-season, but I also think it doesn't equate to a definite pick of QB with their first selection at pick #13. Ballard stated in the aforementioned interview that possibly drafting a QB will be be determined by "how the draft falls" on that night. Until then, I am focusing attention on the top "trench" prospect available to Indy at pick #13. Once again it's South Carolina's Javon Kinlaw, who gives Indy schematic versatility with undeniable, explosive talent."
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Selection: Jordan Love, QB, Utah State
Expert: Josh Edwards, CBS Sports
Date of mock draft: Jan. 30 (link)
Analysis: "I drew the comparison between Patrick Mahomes and Jordan Love in a recent mock and it has become quite popular since. Love has to make better decisions with the football but he has rare arm talent similar to Mahomes. Indianapolis has one year left on Jacoby Brissett's deal if they need a bridge year to ease their rookie into the offense."
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Selection: Laviska Shenault Jr., WR, Colorado
Expert: Chris Trapasso, CBS Sports
Date of mock draft: Jan. 30 (link)
Analysis: "Another receiver in the top 15, as Shenault has the size and YAC ability to blossom as a true No. 1 in Frank Reich's West Coast offense."
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Selection: Javon Kinlaw, DT, South Carolina
Expert: Walter Cherepinsky, WalterFootball.com
Date of mock draft: Jan. 29 (link)
Analysis: "You can never have enough dominant pass rushers, and the Colts could opt to use an early draft pick on a successor for Justin Houston. They could also find a stud in the interior of their defensive front, and filling that area would allow them to take the best player available. Javon Kinlaw is a great athlete, and he has been a major disruptor in 2019. He dominated the Senior Bowl, just like Aaron Donald did six years ago."
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Selection: K'Lavon Chaisson, DE, LSU
Expert: Lance Zierlein, NFL.com
Date of mock draft: Jan. 29 (link)
Analysis: "If Indy loves Jordan Love, he could be the guy here, but Chaisson fits the rush profile the Colts covet. The redshirt sophomore has exciting potential."
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Selection: Jerry Jeudy, WR, Alabama
Expert: Dan Kadar, SB Nation
Date of mock draft: Jan. 28 (link)
Analysis: "The most natural comparison for Jeudy is former Colts legend Marvin Harrison. Like Harrison, Jeudy isn't a flashy, super speed receiver, nor is he a big-body jump-ball guy. He's just smooth and smart with his routes and has exceptional hands."
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Selection: Jerry Jeudy, WR, Alabama
Expert: Bucky Brooks, NFL.com
Date of mock draft: Jan. 27 (link)
Analysis: "The ultra-smooth route runner from Alabama would give the Colts a Reggie Wayne-like playmaker opposite T.Y. Hilton."
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Selection: Jerry Jeudy, WR, Alabama
Expert: Mel Kiper, ESPN
Date of mock draft: Jan. 24 (link; ESPN Insider access required)
Analysis: "The Colts didn't have much injury luck at receiver this season. T.Y Hilton missed six games. Free-agent signing Devin Funchess made it only one game, catching three passes. Second-round pick Parris Campbell caught just 18 passes in seven games. They could use a talent boost here, particularly with Hilton signed for only one more season. My comp for Jeudy for the past few months has been former Colts star Marvin Harrison, based mostly around his route running; Jeudy is already advanced as a route runner and is smooth out of his breaks. He should test well at the combine too. He'd help Jacoby Brissett on Day 1."
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Selection: A.J. Epenesa, DE, Iowa
Expert: Kevin Hanson, MMQB
Date of mock draft: Jan. 21 (link)
Analysis: "Even though the Colts have used several early-round picks in recent drafts on pass rushers, the team's starting defensive ends—Jabaal Sheard and Justin Houston—are both in their 30s and set to become free agents in 2020 and '21, respectively. While not the most explosive off the line, Epenesa possesses a nice blend of power, length and heavy hands and closed 2019 with eight sacks and four forced fumbles over his final five games."
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Selection: Jordan Love, QB, Utah State
Expert: Daniel Jeremiah, NFL.com
Date of mock draft: Jan. 21 (link)
Analysis: "The Colts haven't publicly committed to Jacoby Brissett as their starter in 2020, and Love is simply too intriguing to pass up. He might need to sit for a year, but the payoff could be huge."
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Selection: Javon Kinlaw, DT, South Carolina
Expert: Ben Standig, The Athletic
Date of mock draft: Jan. 20 (link; subscription required)
Analysis: "Jacoby Brissett held up nicely after Andrew Luck's sudden retirement and helped keep the Colts in playoff contention, but going quarterback here seems plausible. Both of Indianapolis' top tight ends are heading into free agency. That's not a Day 1 consideration this year. The Colts defense could use an interior line threat or edge rusher."
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Selection: Jordan Love, QB, Utah State
Expert: Luke Easterling, The Draft Wire
Date of mock draft: Jan. 17 (link)
Analysis: None.
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Selection: A.J. Epenesa, DE, Iowa
Expert: Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz, USA TODAY
Date of mock draft: Jan. 16 (link)
Analysis: "Though Indianapolis has used multiple picks at defensive end in recent years, this might not be an area where the Colts can afford to stand pat, particularly if Jabaal Sheard doesn't return. At 6-6 and 280 pounds with enough elasticity to snake his way into the backfield, Epenesa offers the kind of package that Chris Ballard might be drawn to."
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Selection: Jerry Jeudy, WR, Alabama
Expert: Dane Brugler, The Athletic
Date of mock draft: Jan. 14 (link; subscription required)
Analysis: "The Colts are missing a big-play element in their offense, having produced only three 40-plus-yard receptions in 2019, which ranked next-to-last behind only the Chicago Bears. Part of the blame rests with the quarterback, but adding a talent like Jeudy would certainly help whoever is under center."
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Selection: Justin Jefferson, WR, LSU
Expert: Todd McShay, ESPN
Date of mock draft: Dec. 16 (link; ESPN Insider access required)
Analysis: "Seven of 10 Indianapolis picks in 2019 went toward the defense. One of the other three was second-rounder Parris Campbell, who has been limited by injuries to seven games this season. Coupling that with T.Y. Hilton's own battle with the injury list, the Colts should address the wideout position. Jefferson gives Jacoby Brissett a reliable pass-catcher on the outside who excels at adjusting his routes to get open."
Notes of interest: The Colts were picking 15th at the time of this mock draft
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Selection: Jordan Love, QB, Utah State
Expert: Matt Miller, Bleacher Report
Date of mock draft: Feb. 3 (link)
Analysis: "Chris Ballard knows he'll probably only get one shot at drafting a quarterback as general manager of the Indianapolis Colts; it's quite rare for any general manager to get two early selections at quarterback. That means he needs to get this pick right. Jordan Love is a case study in what to scout when evaluating quarterbacks. He has ideal size (6'3⅝", 223 lbs), athleticism, very good arm strength and very good mobility, but he also threw 17 interceptions in 2019 and scouts will pick apart his decision-making process. Go back to 2018, his fans will say, when Love excelled under then-coach Matt Wells with more NFL-caliber talent around him. With much of his supporting cast gone in 2019, Love pressed and struggled. Ballard has the hard task of figuring out which player Love is—the 2018 or 2019 version. If he falls for his traits and believes Frank Reich can develop him, Love could be the answer in a post-Andrew Luck world for the Colts."
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Selection: CeeDee Lamb, WR, Oklahoma
Expert: Joe Marino, The Draft Network
Date of mock draft: Jan. 27 (link)
Analysis: "The Indianapolis Colts need more threats in the passing game, and CeeDee Lamb is arguably the best wide receiver in the class. As a dynamic route-runner, Lamb has exceptional ball skills, hands and body control with the ability to make highlight-reel plays post-catch. Lamb's presence in the lineup drastically improves the offensive spacing for the Colts, making the opportunity to get the ball to T.Y. Hilton even more favorable. Lamb would be a steal at this point in the draft and help round out Indianapolis' arsenal of offensive weapons."
