7-Round Colts Mock Draft: CJ Stroud Becomes Face of the Franchise in Indy
By Hunter Haas
In the latest mock draft for the Indianapolis Colts, CJ Stroud becomes the face of the franchise and two Maryland players complete an offensive overhaul. Plus, a day three full of defense!
The Indianapolis Colts are one game away from bringing the 2022 NFL season to a merciful end. Despite lackluster play, the team’s record once stood at a respectable 3-2-1. Since then, numerous coaching and quarterback changes have occurred, resulting in nine losses in their last ten games.
The Colts will finish the season the same way it started, squaring off with the divisional foe Houston Texans. Indy is guaranteed a top-six pick, regardless of the outcome in week 18. However, a loss could vault them as high as No. 3 in the 2023 NFL Draft. A win only drops them to No. 6 in the order.
7-Round Colts Mock Draft: CJ Stroud Becomes Face of the Franchise in Indy
Tankathon has the Colts at No. 5 overall, which is where we will keep them for this mock draft. With a myriad of questions surrounding the franchise, the 2023 NFL Draft serves as the most important in recent memory for Jim Irsay. Let’s get to a fresh mock draft and find a quarterback of the future!
Round 1, Pick 5: CJ Stroud, QB, Ohio State
The Indianapolis Colts have put the fan base through the wringer with the musical chairs at quarterback. Since Andrew Luck retired from the NFL, Indy has started Jacoby Brissett, Brian Hoyer, Philip Rivers, Carson Wentz, Matt Ryan, Sam Ehlinger, and Nick Foles. The result? One playoff appearance and zero division titles.
The trend of retread quarterbacks ends now. Ohio State quarterback CJ Stroud becomes the new face of the franchise for the Colts. Fresh off a performance for the ages vs. Georgia, Stroud enters draft season with as much hype as he has ever had. His arm talent, improving playmaking ability, and precise ball placement make it worth a trade-up if necessary. At long last, Indy finds optimism behind center.
Round 2, Pick 37: Jaelyn Duncan, OT, Maryland
After addressing the most pressing need on offense with CJ Stroud, it is time to fill the Anthony Castonzo-sized hole at left tackle. As with Luck’s replacements, the team has witnessed subpar play at the position since Castonzo rode off into the sunset. The lack of protection directly resulted in fumbles and busted plays, constantly stymieing drives.
Maryland’s Jaelyn Duncan is a fringe first-round talent, but questions about his technique push him to the top of round two in this mock draft. Duncan is as powerful as they come on the offensive line, with a mean streak to match it. The Terrapin standout is a freaky athlete for his size, oozing potential as a pass blocker and run blocker in space. Bernhard Raimann has steadily improved as a rookie, but sliding him to right guard is the best way to maximize his talent.
Round 3, Pick 78 (via WSH) – Rakim Jarrett, WR, Maryland
Another Maryland player comes off the board on day two for the Colts. Folks are sleeping on Rakim Jarrett in the 2023 NFL Draft. He possesses strong hands and is creative after the catch, using a lightning-quick first step to blow by defenders. Jarrett is built well for his size and would fit perfectly in the slot between two taller receivers in Michael Pittman Jr. and Alec Pierce.
The offense regularly let the team down in 2022, but adding CJ Stroud, Jaelyn Duncan, and a difference-maker in the passing game will go a long way toward fixing the issues. This approach will allow the front office to zero in on defense in the late rounds, where current general manager Chris Ballard has found multiple starters in the past.
Round 4, Pick 107: Garrett Williams, CB, Syracuse
At one point, Garrett Williams looked like a potential day-one draft pick. Sadly, the Syracuse star cornerback tore his ACL midway through the season. As a result, Williams will not be able to work out for teams prior to the 2023 NFL Draft.
Williams has the potential to start in the league if he returns to form, as he is a gifted athlete that always plays with 100% effort. Still growing in one-on-one situations, Williams can be handsy at times and overeager to make plays, but NFL coaching can iron this out.
Before his injury, I expected him to go on day two. However, the Colts benefit from an unfortunate injury and land a long-term option early on day three, setting up for life after Stephon Gilmore in 2024.
Round 5, Pick 140: Habakkuk Baldonado, EDGE, Pittsburgh
Yannick Ngakoue leaves much to be desired as a run defender but was the Colts most consistent pass rusher in 2022. The first-year Colt is slated to hit free agency, and at age 27, he could garner tons of interest on the open market. Whether Ngakoue is brought back on a short-term deal or he walks, Indy needs to add to its pass-rushing corps.
Kwity Paye and Dayo Odeyingbo are promising pieces, but Pittsburgh’s Habakkuk Baldonado possesses the ideal frame to develop into a starter at the LEO position in the Gus Bradley defense (assuming he returns in 2023). Baldonado wins with power and is still learning to consistently generate power from speed. He is already a better run defender than Ngakoue and would learn a lot by sitting behind the veteran for a season or two.
Round 7, Pick 224: Michael Jurgens, OL, Wake Forest
Ryan Kelly underperformed in 2022, to say the least. Danny Pinter is an option to take over for Kelly at center, but drafting Michael Jurgens in the late rounds gives another piece to the puzzle. Jurgens is a seasoned vet with 34 career starts for the Demon Deacons. He is a bit undersized, but his athleticism and high football IQ can be molded into a quality NFL player.
Round 7, Pick 238: Isaiah Land, OLB, Florida A&M
The Colts could lose Bobby Okereke to free agency, but after a breakout season from Zaire Franklin, Indy is in good shape at linebacker either way. The front office added a pass rusher earlier on day three, but with the final pick of this mock draft, they add a hybrid of sorts.
Isaiah Land is twitchy, flies around the field with reckless abandon, and is never out of a play until the whistle blows. Land is way too small to hold up on the edge full-time, but his athletic profile should allow for some fun packages around him. The Florida A&M star can drop in coverage and be used as a sneaky pass rusher when the time is right.