Indianapolis Colts' Seven Round Mock Draft

by Jack Guiley

NFL fans can soon rejoice as the annual draft is less than two weeks away. With evaluations and analysis starting to get redundant, April 25th can’t get here fast enough. The following is Draft Nation Indianapolis’s 7-Round Colts mock draft. These selections were made while looking through Chris Ballard’s scouting eye and historical preferences.

Round One

Trade: Colts trade 15 to the Steelers for 20, 84, and 195

Round 1 Pick 20: Cooper DeJean DB, Iowa

Let’s be honest. Chris Ballard is probably going to trade back. Here, he gets good value with the Steelers, who can move up to get one of the top OL that could fall down the board.

On the pick, DeJean is a fascinating prospect as he can be an above average starter at three different positions in the secondary. The Colts would likely see him as an outside corner to justify taking him this high. An elite tester with kick/punt return versatility, if anyone is questioning the former Hawkeye’s athletic prowess, then they should Google his high school basketball highlights. The Colts could take a “let him fail” approach at outside corner with DeJean, and even if he turns out to be average on the outside, he can move inside to the slot or safety. After watching DeJean, however, Draft Nation believes he will not struggle to produce as an outside cornerback. He has all the attributes to be a number one cornerback in the NFL.

Round 2 Pick 46: Ricky Pearsall WR, Florida

The Colts go with Anthony Richardson’s former Florida teammate in the second round with Ricky Pearsall. Some may think this is a bit early for the former Gator, but he has been highly lauded by evaluators such as Matt Waldman and Matt Harmon.

Pearsall was Florida’s best pass catching option this past season and showed a translatable NFL skillset. He displayed the ability to win over the middle of the field, as well as downfield. He would immediately command a high volume of targets in the Colts' offense and could eventually grow into a 1B option to go alongside Michael Pittman Jr.

Round 3 Pick 82: Dadrion Taylor-Demerson S, Texas Tech

“Rabbit” Taylor-Demerson is a junkyard dog in the defensive backfield. The Colts would be

getting a versatile chess piece that can play single high, but also roll down as a slot defender.

Taylor-Demerson impresses on film with his hit power and willingness to stick any ball carrier.

There is a small chance the Texas Tech safety could be off the board by this pick, but if he is

available, watch for the Colts to take him here.

Round 3 Pick 84: Kiran Amegadjie OT, Yale

A tackle selection may come as a surprise to some this early in the draft, but Kiran Amegadjie is

dripping with tools. The Yale product features 36” arms and moves incredibly well for being

listed at 320 pounds. As expected from a player hailing from the FCS ranks, Amegadjie needs

some technical refinement before he gets a chance to start. Specifically, his punch timing

against certain rush moves could use some work.

With Blake Freeland currently slotted as the Colts' swing tackle, it never hurts to take a chance

at developing another player who has sky high potential. This could turn out to be a homerun

pick for the Colts if Tony Sparano Jr. is able to get the most out of this player.

Round 4 Pick 117: Jalyx Hunt DE/OLB, Houston Christian

Jalyx Hunt is a small school, position change player that tested like an elite athlete at a position Chris Ballard loves to take swings at. Needless to say, Hunt is likely highlighted on the Colts draft board.

A former safety, Hunt has been winning at the FCS level purely with his tools and explosiveness. If he can develop a pass rush plan and throw on a few pounds, he could turn into more than just a designated pass rusher. On film, he didn’t get many chances to purely rush the passer as he was playing an outside linebacker position that required him to drop into flat zones frequently. It is smart drafting to take a pass rusher in every class, and this player fits the Colts about as well as anyone.

Round 5 Pick 151: Jaylon Carlies LB/S, Missouri

Another player Draft Nation has been mocking to the Colts for a while, Jaylon Carlies fits

the EJ Speed mold to a tee. A safety in college, Carlies projects best as an athletic linebacker

who can immediately contribute on special teams and passing downs. The Missouri standout

has vines for arms (34”) and led the team in tackles for the last two seasons. Carlies posted

nine interceptions and was a special teamer throughout his entire career at Missouri. Another

selection that checks almost every Chris Ballard box.

Round 6 Pick 191: Kimani Vidal RB, Troy

Kimani Vidal is the perfect Day 3 back for the Colts. He has a legitimate chance to win the RB2

battle in camp outright. Vidal doesn’t stand out as a pass catcher, but he showed elusiveness

and the ability to quickly set up blocks on tape. The Georgia native is a great pass blocker and

has a chance to be a productive rookie.

Round 6 Pick 195: Nick Gargiulo OC/OG, South Carolina

Nick Gargiulo has played all across the offensive line during his collegiate career. A transfer

from Yale, Gargiulo played center and guard for the Gamecocks this past year. Gargiulo was a

captain at Yale and then was immediately named one at South Carolina, something Chris

Ballard admires and gravitates towards. Combined with his elite testing at the NFL combine,

Gargiulo makes a lot of sense for the Colts. He has a very similar profile to former Colts' utility

offensive lineman Joe Haeg.

Round 7 Pick 234: Miles Battle CB, Utah

Miles Battle switched positions from receiver to corner in 2020 and has played 3.5 years as a cornerback. Never a full-time starter, Battle is still learning the position but has all of the athletic traits required to develop. At 6’3” 196 lbs., the former Utes DB posted a 4.37 40-yard dash, 37 inch vertical jump, and a 10' 7” broad jump at his pro day. If Battle makes an NFL roster, it will likely come as a special team’s contributor, as he continues to hone his skills at cornerback.