INDIANAPOLIS -- The Indianapolis Colts have the 13th-overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. We continue taking a look at which players the various experts believe will land in Indianapolis in this week's Mock Draft Monday.
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Selection: Javon Kinlaw, DT, South Carolina
Expert: Charlie Campbell, WalterFootball.com
Date of mock draft: Feb. 17 (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: Jordan Love, QB, Utah State
Expert: Luke Easterling, The Draft Wire
Date of mock draft: Feb. 17 (link)
Analysis: 'This may seem early for Love, but after a solid week at the Senior Bowl, he just might be the clear-cut QB4 in this year's class. That being the case, don't be surprised if a team like the Colts make a small move up the board to make sure they land him. Jacoby Brissett would be a solid bridge option while Love smooths out the rough edges in his game.'
Notes of interest: Easterling has the Colts trading up to acquire the No. 11-overall pick from the New York Jets
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Selection: CeeDee Lamb, WR, Oklahoma
Expert: Dan Kadar, SB Nation
Date of mock draft: Feb. 17 (link)
Analysis: "While the Colts could easily opt for a player like South Carolina defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw, the team could use another weapon for whoever plays quarterback. Maybe it's Tom Brady. Maybe it's Philip Rivers. Or even Jameis Winston."
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Selection: CeeDee Lamb, WR, Oklahoma
Expert: Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz, USA TODAY
Date of mock draft: Feb. 17 (link)
Analysis: "GM Chris Ballard's draft plans should become somewhat clearer once he's indicated how Indianapolis will utilize more than $86 million in available cap space. Given the Colts' lackluster receiving corps beyond T.Y. Hilton and the underwhelming free agent options, Lamb is a fitting option to bring the "explosive elements" Ballard said he's hunting for."
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Selection: Andrew Thomas, T, Georgia
Expert: Ryan Wilson, CBS Sports
Date of mock draft: Feb. 17 (link)
Analysis: "Anthony Castonzo's contract is set to expire and a solid O-line is key to any QB -- whether it's Jacoby Brissett, Philip Rivers or Tom Brady -- having success in the Colts' scheme. Thomas was a freshman All-American right tackle and then moved to left tackle the last two years, where he dominated while protecting QB Jake Fromm, who will hear his name called in the 2020 NFL Draft too."
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Selection: Jordan Love, QB, Utah State
Expert: Josh Edwards, CBS Sports
Date of mock draft: Feb. 14 (link)
Analysis: "If the Colts do not use free agency to add a veteran quarterback, then Love makes a lot of sense. There are similarities between him and Patrick Mahomes, who was drafted by Chris Ballard and others in Kansas City. There is a lot of commitment to the head coach and general manager in Indianapolis, so I could see them making a long-term move."
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Selection: Jerry Jeudy, WR, Alabama
Expert: Chris Trapasso, CBS Sports
Date of mock draft: Feb. 12 (link)
Analysis: "Free agency or trade route for the Colts at quarterback this offseason, right? If so, they'll need to address the receiver group and do so in a major way with the electric Jeudy here."
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Selection: Solomon Kindley, G, Georgia
Expert: DraftTek.com
Date of mock draft: Feb. 12 (link)
Analysis: "Colts' GM Chris Ballard has a bunch of decisions to make, but the bottom-line is he won't ever waver from having two key components in his ballclub: A solid offensive line (7th-ranked Rush Offense) and a top-caliber defensive front seven that creates havoc for opposing QB's. Indy finished tied at #15 for QB sacks in 2019 minus a key EDGE rusher and an aging free agent. Indy is a very solid player on the OL away from having a full-blown monster unit. By adding another nasty mauler like Soloman Kindley at Guard, opposite of Quenton Nelson, Indy improves at run-blocking, stays solid in pass-protection --all while getting young, nasty, and more athletic. Although Mark Glowinski has been steady during his tenure, adding a guy like Kindley (or Oregon's Shane Lemiux) would be huge. Of course, this all hinges on LOT Anthony Castonzo not retiring. This would set the Colts up for nearly a decade at each position --except LOT. If Castonzo retires, my pick in RD1 would be the top OT available; someone like Louisville's Mehki Becton. Selecting another Offensive Lineman might also allow for Ballard and the Colts to be able to remain patient and keep Jacoby Brisset at QB, while waiting until 2021 to select a young "face of the franchise" passer. Certainly the Colts have the RB's and OL that can keep the chains moving. If T.Y. Hilton and the younger wideouts can stay healthy, a dink-and-dunk offense (for the 2020-21 season) could do the trick. Overall, I still like DT Javon Kinlaw the most for this pick --if I can't have Joe Burrow or any of the defensive standouts likely to go in the first 10 picks. But Kinlaw is starting to gain top-10 attention and is not available in this mock. However, I believe the offensive line could be solidified with the addition of a top prospect at OG like Kindley. Obviously, QB, WR and EDGE are all still in play here. My hesitation with making an extremely talented WR the top pick is there's likely not going to be enough downfield targets from a guy like Brissett. Some critical decisions loom for GM Ballard and the Colts this off-season."
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Selection: Javon Kinlaw, DT, South Carolina
Expert: Walter Cherepinsky, WalterFootball.com
Date of mock draft: Feb. 11 (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: Justin Herbert, QB, Oregon
Expert: Maurice Jones-Drew, NFL.com
Date of mock draft: Feb 11 (link)
Analysis: "Herbert's big arm and high football IQ will allow him to make smart decisions while stretching the field for the Indy offense."
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Selection: A.J. Epenesa, DE, Iowa
Expert: Michael Renner, Pro Football Focus
Date of mock draft: Feb. 11 (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: Jerry Jeudy, WR, Alabama
Expert: R.J. White, CBS Sports
Date of mock draft: Feb. 11 (link)
Analysis: "Jeudy entered the year as one of the best overall prospects in the draft, if not the best, but after a good-not-great year, his stock is down a little bit. That means someone in this range will get a steal. He'll provide the Colts with reliability in the passing game, which they desperately need."
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Selection: CeeDee Lamb, WR, Oklahoma
Expert: Eric Edholm, Yahoo Sports
Date of mock draft: Feb. 10 (link)
Analysis: "I thought about a quarterback here. A trade down also fits the pattern of GM Chris Ballard, too. But in the end, the need to add explosiveness to the offense is too glaring. Perhaps they achieve this in free agency, with a boatload of dollars to spend, but grabbing Lamb in addition to free-agent help at receiver wouldn't be bad at all. One potential worry: There have been whispers about left tackle Anthony Castonzo possibly retiring. If he's not back for 2020, the Colts' needs change in a big way."
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Selection: Jerry Jeudy, WR, Alabama
Expert: Kevin Hanson, MMQB
Date of mock draft: Feb. 6 (link)
Analysis: "Injuries to T.Y. Hilton, who enters the final year of his contract, Devin Funchess and Parris Campbell limited that trio to 18 combined games in 2019. Ending his collegiate career on a high note (6/204/1 vs. Michigan), Jeudy is a polished route-runner with breakaway speed."
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Selection: Jacob Eason, QB, Washington
Expert: Chad Reuter, NFL.com
Date of mock draft: Feb. 5 (link)
Analysis: "The Colts find their future starter. Eason's arm strength will look great to teams in his pre-draft workouts. A quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator will believe they can work on the rest of his game."
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Selection: Jerry Jeudy, WR, Alabama
Expert: Dane Brugler, The Athletic
Date of mock draft: Feb. 4 (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: Javon Kinlaw, DT, South Carolina
Expert: Nate Davis, USA TODAY
Date of mock draft: Feb. 4 (link)
Analysis: "Another Senior Bowl standout, Kinlaw might be too good for GM Chris Ballard to pass up here – especially given the Colts' need to create more disruption up the middle."
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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: Justin Herbert, QB, Oregon
Expert: Todd McShay, ESPN
Date of mock draft: Feb. 3 (link; ESPN Insider access required)
Analysis: "The Colts get a little lucky here with Herbert still on the board, so in this scenario, they put aside other pressing needs like wide receiver (Lamb?), defensive line and defensive back to snag this 6-foot-6 senior with a rocket arm. Indy might not be completely sold that Jacoby Brissett is its guy, and Herbert has shown he can lead an offense. That Senior Bowl showing did a lot to calm consistency concerns. After using seven of their 10 picks on defense in 2019, the Colts can't pass on this tremendous value at a premier position. One more thing to consider: Brissett is signed through the 2020 season, meaning Indianapolis wouldn't have to throw Herbert to the wolves out of the gate."
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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: 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: 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: 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."
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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: Jason McIntyre, Fox Sports
Date of mock draft: Jan. 24 (link)
Analysis: "They'd love for Kinlaw to fall here, and it's interesting to come up with a receiver in this spot, but Indy's sack leader (Justin Houston) just turned 31 and has had a spotty injury history."
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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."
