2024 Third Colts Mock Draft Look: Cornerbacks Galore - Page 2

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INDIANAPOLIS – Free agency has certainly shifted the thinking of draft pundits in how the Colts will attack the 15^th overall pick in the draft.

It’s a heavy run on cornerbacks for the Colts in our latest Mock Draft look, with this year’s draft taking place April 25-27.

Here is our third Mock Draft look for 2024:

1. ESPN.com’s Mel Kiper: Pick No. 15: CB-Quinyon Mitchell (Toledo)

Kiper’s Analysis: “Finally, the first cornerback off the board. It’s not because this isn’t a good group of corners — it’s more about the elite prospects at other position. I have four CBs in my top 25 overall but don’t have top-10 grades on any of them. The best of the bunch is Mitchell, who has been moving up since a spectacular performance in Mobile, Alabama, in early February at Senior Bowl practices. Then he ran a 4.33-second 40-yard dash at the combine, making my list of risers. He had six interceptions over his final two college seasons. As for the pairing in Indianapolis, the Colts don’t have a No. 1 corner and desperately have to add talent at the position. Luckily they’re in a good spot to do that in this draft.”

2. CBS Sports’ Ryan Wilson: Pick No. 15: WR-Brian Thomas (LSU)

Wilson’s Analysis: I thought long and hard about going CB here but WR won out. Michael Pittman is WR1 while Alec Pierce is still looking to find his form and Josh Downs is the slot threat. Thomas Jr. is a home run threat who can take some pressure off Pittman.

3. NFL.com’s Daniel Jeremiah: Pick No. 15: CB-Quinyon Mitchell (Toledo)

Jeremiah’s Analysis: I’ll always look to connect the Colts to toolsy prospects. Mitchell ran a 4.33-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine and he was phenomenal at the Senior Bowl.

4. Fox Sports’ Joel Klatt: Pick No. 15: CB-Quinyon Mitchell (Toledo)

Klatt’s Analysis: The Colts were able to keep Michael Pittman Jr. this offseason, so the focus should be on defense. Particularly, they should look at corner, and Mitchell has made himself the top corner during the draft process. His testing has backed up his film.

5. The Ringer’s Benjamin Solak: Pick No. 15: CB-Terrion Arnold (Alabama

Solak’s Analysis: The Colts re-signed just about everyone this offseason, so the team is largely set. QB Anthony Richardson gets healthy, and you’re in the mix in the AFC South—easy as that. But the Colts’ pass rush last season, which was electric, hid some poor cornerback play on the outside. While Indianapolis has interesting young players at the position already, nobody who has played well enough or been taken with enough draft capital to deter them from Arnold, who moves like an elite CB1. He’s a little undersized, but that’s the only question mark I’ve got.

6. Bowen's Analysis

MOCK DRAFT TOTALS

In each installment of the mock draft looks we will total up all the positions pundits have pegged for the Colts throughout the draft process:

–1^st Mock Draft Look (January 22^nd)

-2^nd Mock Draft Look  (February 12^th)

Totals:  

CB-Kool-Aid McKinstry (4)

CB-Quinyon Mitchell (3)

WR-Brian Thomas (2)

CB-Nate Wiggins (2)

TE-Brock Bowers (2)

WR-Keon Coleman (1)

DE-Jared Verse (1)

CB-Terrion Arnold (1)

Bowen’s Analysis: With the 2024 Draft just a month away, the pundits have reached a pretty consistent thought on the Colts—they need a cornerback at No. 15 overall. The days of Brock Bowers, or more wide receivers, being slotted to the Colts have started to slow down. A cornerback selection at 15 would come just one year after the Colts took three CBs in the 2023 Draft. There’s no question the Colts need better cornerback play in 2024, but I believe the focus should be more as a veteran move, versus another draft pick. This draft appears to have some strong cornerback depth though, and we know Chris Ballard’s affinity for length at that position. From a needs standpoint, it makes sense for the Colts to explore this route. But if the board falls in another way, would Ballard deviate?