INDIANAPOLIS — While a good deal of attention will understandably be placed on whichever player the Indianapolis Colts select early in the first round of April's NFL Draft, the team's Saturday trade with the New York Jets made the second round much, much more enticing.
In exchange for the Colts' No. 3-overall pick, the Jets sent over the sixth-overall pick in the first round, meaning Indianapolis moved down just three spots. But the Jets also gave the Colts two additional second-round picks in this year's draft, as well as their second-round pick in next year's NFL draft.
All of a sudden, the Colts have nine total draft picks this year — four of them coming in within the first 50 selections.
So while you can certainly peruse our weekly Mock Draft Monday feature to get a taste of what the draft experts believe the Colts will do with the No. 6-overall pick, what are some possibilities for the Colts when they go on the clock three different times in that all-important second round this year?**
Walter Cherepinsky , WalterFootball.com (**link**):**
- Carlton Davis, cornerback, Auburn
* 6-foot-1, 203 pounds
* Combine: 4.53-second 40-yard dash; 16 reps on bench press; 34-inch vertical; 124-inch broad jump
* NFL.com draft profile overview (link): "*Carlton Davis III came into his own as a junior. He actually earned a starting spot as a true freshman in 2014, coming off a high school career after which he was named one of the top 25 recruits out of the talent-laden state of Florida (in addition to being a fine track athlete, a district 100- and 200-meter dash finalist). In 2015, Davis was a Freshman All-SEC selection, starting nine of 13 games, making 56 tackles, two for loss, while leading the team with three interceptions and breaking up eight others. He played through injuries as a sophomore, starting 10 of 12 games played and breaking up 10 passes (46 stops, two for loss). Davis was a first-team All-SEC pick in 2017, starting 13 games, making 36 stops, intercepting one pass, and leading the Tigers with 11 pass breakups. He suffered a concussion in the SEC Championship Game and missed the Peach Bowl with an illness.*"
- Nick Chubb, running back, Georgia
* 5-foot-11, 228 pounds
* Combine: 4.52-second 40-yard dash; 29 reps on bench press; 38.5-inch vertical; 128-inch broad jump
* NFL.com draft profile overview (link): "*Chubb is the direct descendant of the founders of Chubbtown, a community begun by freed slaves after the Civil War. He grew up in nearby Cave Springs and made headlines at Cave Springs High by running for over 5,400 yards and 79 touchdowns over his junior and senior seasons. The top-50 overall recruit garnered many honors as a true freshman in 2014, including SEC Freshman of the Year, first-team All-SEC, and was named to various Freshman All-American squads. In 13 games (eight starts), Chubb rushed for 1,547 yards on just 219 carries (7.1 per) and 14 scores. He set a SEC bowl record and was named Belk Bowl MVP with 266 yards on 33 carries against Louisville. Chubb continued his run of 13 straight 100-yard games midway through his sophomore (747 yards, seven touchdowns in six starts), but a left knee injury (multiple ligaments, but no ACL) on the first play of scrimmage against Tennessee. Surprisingly, he returned to play every game in 2016, starting 11. He was not clearly not as explosive a runner as he was pre-injury, but the team captain still presented the power and enough speed to finish with 1,130 yards and eight touchdowns on 224 carries. Chubb finished his career strong, starting 14 games, leading the national runner-up Bulldogs with 1,345 yards on the ground, and scoring 15 times on 223 carries (plus four receptions, 30 yards receiving) and garnered second-team All-SEC honors to finish second in the school's annals in rushing."
- Connor Williams, offensive tackle, Texas
* 6-foot-5, 320 pounds
* Combine: 5.05-second 40-yard dash; 26 reps on bench press; 34-inch vertical; 112-inch broad jump
* NFL.com draft profile overview (link): "*Williams joined the Longhorns after being named a second-team 6A All-State pick by the media as a high school senior. Even though he was "just" a three-star recruit coming out of the north Dallas suburbs, Williams proved himself a worthy starter at left tackle for all 12 games as a freshman. He was a freshman All-American pick by multiple outlets, as well as an honorable mention All-Conference selection by Big 12 coaches. Williams' strength in the run game and elite agility in pass protection made coaches, NFL scouts, and media outlets name him one of the best tackles in college football in 2016. He earned consensus first-team All-American and first-team All-Conference accolades after starting 11 of 12 games at left tackle. His junior season was marred by injury, however; Williams started just five games (first three games, final two regular season games) at left tackle due to a left knee injury. He sat out the team's bowl game to prepare for the NFL Draft.*"
Charlie Campbell, WalterFootball.com (**link**):
- Jaire Alexander, cornerback, Louisville
* 5-foot-11, 192 pounds
* Combine: 4.38-second 40-yard dash; 14 reps on bench press; 35-inch vertical; 127-inch broad jump
* NFL.com draft profile overview (link): "*While Alexander was just a three-star prospect coming out of North Carolina, and ranked only in the top 70 cornerbacks in the country, Louisville saw a future starter in his speed, ball skills, and physical play on the outside. He proved them correct in 2016, intercepting five passes and breaking up nine others in 13 starts to garner second-team All-ACC honors. Alexander played in 12 games, with one start on defense (19 tackles, one interception) in his true freshman season. He's also made a name for himself as a punt returner in his first two seasons (29 returns for 223 yards in 2015, 19 returns for 195 yards in 2016), including a 69-yard return for a touchdown against ACC rival Florida State in 2016. Alexander missed about half of the 2017 season with leg and hand injuries, but managed to start six of seven games played on the year (19 tackles, one interception, four pass breakups) and was named honorable mention All-ACC.*"
- Martinas Rankin, offensive tackle, Mississippi State
* 6-foot-5, 305 pounds
* Combine: 24 reps on bench press
* NFL.com draft profile overview (link): "*Rankin was the top junior college offensive tackle prospect nationally (a top-five overall recruit) after a successful two years at home-state Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College. He waited a year to get on the field, redshirting the 2015 season. His play in 2016 as the team's full-time starter at left tackle, however, earned the respect of scouts and media alike. Despite starting just nine of 10 games played in his senior year at left tackle due to a high ankle sprain suffered against Auburn, Rankin was a first-team All-SEC pick in 2017. Rankin's length and lateral agility made him a tough blocker to beat on the outside, and he brings a strong punch and active feet in the run game, as well.*"
- Mark Andrews, tight end, Oklahoma
* 6-foot-5, 256 pounds
* Combine: 4.67-second 40-yard dash; 17 reps on bench press; 31-inch vertical; 113-inch broad jump
* NFL.com draft profile overview (link): "*Andrews has type 1 diabetes, which is controllable (if unpredictable) with proper diet and medication. NFL players such as quarterback Jay Cutler, defensive end Michael Sinclair, and others have played through this condition in the past. He has had multiple episodes where his blood sugar got too low and he became unresponsive. Andrews' talent as a receiving tight end has shown through the past two seasons, moving like a receiver in space despite being 6-foot-5 and outweighing most wideouts by 50 pounds. He redshirted in 2014, then broke out as a freshman the following year with a second-team All-Big 12 (coaches) season. Andrews played in all 13 game (one start), catching 19 throws for 318 yards and seven scores. He started 11 games the following year, playing through a shoulder AC joint sprain and some dropped passes to garner first-team all-conference honors with 31 receptions for 489 yards and seven scores. Andrews finished his career as the nation's top tight end, winning the John Mackey Award and earning first-team All-American and All-Big 12 accolades. He started all 14 games, becoming Heisman Trophy winner Baker Mayfield's top target with 62 receptions for 958 yards and eight touchdowns."
Drafttek.com (**link**):
- Kalen Ballage, running back, Arizona State
* 6-foot-1, 227 pounds
* Combine: 4.46-second 40-yard dash; 15 reps on bench press; 33.5 inch vertical; 122-inch broad jump
* NFL.com draft profile overview (link): "*Ballage made national headlines in 2016 by tying the FBS record by using his power and speed to score eight touchdowns in one game (seven rushing -- most from the Wildcat formation in the red zone -- and one receiving) in a September match-up against Texas Tech. Ballage did not earn any all-conference efforts because he split carries (126 for 536 yards) with Demario Richard, but he scored 14 rushing touchdowns, provided a safety valve in the receiving game (44 receptions, 469 yards, one touchdown) and returned kicks (18 attempts, 409 yards). Ballage split carries with Richard again in 2017, rushing for 669 yards and six scores on 157 totes (20 receptions, 91 yards; 20 attempts, 437 yards on kick returns). He missed the beginning of his sophomore year with mononucleosis but finished with 653 rushing yards and four scores in 10 games. The four-star recruit from Colorado played a role as a true freshman in 2014 (42 rush, 138 yards, three touchdowns; six receptions, 64 yards, touchdown), even making a 96-yard kick return in the Sun Bowl that year."
- Malik Jefferson, linebacker, Texas
* 6-foot-3, 236 pounds
* Combine: 4.52-second 40-yard dash; 27 reps on bench press; 36-inch vertical; 125-inch broad jump
* NFL.com draft profile overview (link): "*Texas' landing of Jefferson was seen as a turning point for the program, as he was the High School Butkus Award winner as the nation's top linebacker, as well as a Parade All-American and top-20 overall recruit from Mesquite. Longhorn coaches could not wait to get him on the field in 2015, as the true freshman's long, lean build, exceptional athleticism, and quickness allowed him to start nine of 11 games played (he missed time with an ankle injury). He started with a bang, picking up nine tackles, 2.5 for loss, in the season opener against Notre Dame. The Big 12 Defensive Freshman of the Year, honorable mention All-Big 12 selection, and consensus Freshman All-American finished the year with 61 tackles, seven for loss, 2.5 sacks, three pass breakups, and a forced fumble. Jefferson struggled with a concussion as a sophomore, starting in nine of 11 games again but still garnering second-team All-Big 12 accolades by league media (62 tackles, 8.5 for loss, 5.5 sacks, three pass breakups). He was healthy enough to start all 13 games in 2017, leading the Longhorns with 110 tackles (10 for loss, four sacks) and earning second-team Associated Press All-American status and first-team all-conference accolades.*"** **
- DaeSean Hamilton, wide receiver, Penn State
* 6-foot-1, 205 pounds
* Combine: 34.5-inch vertical jump; 118-inch broad jump
* NFL.com draft profile overview (link): "*Hamilton exploded on the scene as a redshirt freshman for the Nittany Lions, following a 2013 season lost to a wrist injury. He received honorable mention All-Big Ten notice (coaches) after starting all 13 games and leading the conference with 82 receptions (889 yards, two touchdowns). League media made him an honorable mention pick the following year, as he started 12 of 13 games, accumulating 45 receptions for 580 yards and six scores (5-71, touchdown vs Georgia in the Sugar Bowl). Hamilton was again a regular starter in 2016 (13 of 14 games) but had career lows in all categories (34-506, one touchdown) despite an excellent performance against Wisconsin the Big Ten Championship Game (8-118). Hamilton had more production as a senior, garnering second-team All-Big Ten honors from coaches after catching 53 passes for 857 yards and nine touchdowns."
FootballCouchScout.com (**link**):
- Martinas Rankin, offensive tackle, Mississippi State
* (See above)
- Mike Hughes, cornerback, Central Florida
* 5-foot-10, 189 pounds
* Combine: 4.53-second 40-yard dash; 20 reps on bench press; 35.5-inch vertical; 127-inch broad jump
* NFL.com draft profile overview (link): "*An all-state pick from Bern, North Carolina, Hughes signed on with home-state UNC for the 2015 season. He played in 11 games as a reserve that year, making 12 tackles and breaking up three passes. Hughes was suspended in October, however, for violating team rules after being part of an incident at a fraternity house. His time with the Tar Heels was over, so he attended Garden City Community College in 2016, earning national junior college All-American honors with 47 tackles, two interceptions, six pass breakups, and three return touchdowns. UCF Head Coach Scott Frost convinced Hughes to join UCF for the 2017 season, and his play was a big reason for the team's undefeated record. He started 12 of 13 contests, garnering first-team All-American Athletic Conference honors as a defensive back (44 tackles, four interceptions -- one returned for a touchdown, team-high 11 pass breakups) and second-team accolades as a returner (20 attempts, 635 yards, two touchdowns on kick returns; 13 attempts, 233 yards, one touchdown on punt returns).*"
- Nick Chubb, running back, Georgia
* (See above)
Tankathon.com (**link**):
- Mike Hughes, cornerback, Central Florida
* (See above)
- D.J. Moore, wide receiver, Maryland
* 6-foot, 210 pounds
* Combine: 4.42-second 40-yard dash; 15 reps on bench press; 39.5-inch vertical; 132.0-inch broad jump
* NFL.com draft profile overview (link): "*The 2017 Big Ten Receiver of the Year and first-team all-conference selection stood out despite catching passes from four different quarterbacks last season. He started all 12 games, making 80 receptions (a school record) for 1,033 yards and eight scores. Moore also led the team in receiving as a sophomore, grabbing 41 passes for 637 yards and six touchdowns, while serving as the top kick returner (15 returns, 334 yards). The Pennsylvania all-state high school receiver and former four-star recruit stepped into a starting role as a true freshman, beginning the final 10 games of 12 played (25 receptions, 357 yards, three touchdowns)."
- Billy Price, offensive lineman, Ohio State
* 6-foot-4, 312 pounds
* Combine: Price suffered an injury during the bench press workout and was unable to complete the rest of his Combine events
* NFL.com draft profile overview (link): "*Price was actually the Associated Press Division 1 Co-Defensive Player of the Year in Ohio as a high school senior, but moved to the offensive line during his redshirt freshman season because he thought he was "too meticulous." Though he suited up at center on the scout team, coaches moved him to guard, where he started all 15 games (first three at left guard, final 12 at right) on the national champions in 2014. Price earned third-team All-Big Ten honors as an every-week starter at left guard the following year, and then first-team honors on the right side as a junior team captain. He also was named second-team All-American by the Associated Press, Walter Camp Foundation, and other outlets by not only mauling his opponent with excellent upper and lower body strength but also being effective on the move for traps and other run plays. Price won the Remington Trophy as the nation's top center in 2017 and was a unanimous first-team All-American. He started each game as a senior, tying Pat Elfein for the Buckeyes' record with 55 straight starts.*"
