Indianapolis Colts full 2018 NFL mock draft
By Joe Romano
The Indianapolis Colts have holes to fill throughout the roster. GM Chris Ballard brings an excellent track record to the 2018 NFL Draft.
Kicking off the 2017 with their franchise quarterback’s status up in the air was a sign of things to come for the Indianapolis Colts. Andrew Luck never returned to the lineup and missed the entire season. Their roster was exposed as one of the NFL’s worst. Now owner Jim Irsay and the staff will turn to the 2018 draft to fill some of those open spots.
This mock draft was completed using Fanspeak’s On the Clock after the NFL combine and in the midst of free agency. There is a chance team needs are filled with free agency which could change the predicted picks.
Round 1 – Pick 3
Bradley Chubb, EDGE, North Carolina State
This pick could be the key to the draft. GM Chris Ballard would be wise to field offers. A talented depleted roster like the one in Indianapolis could use as many as picks as possible to fill some holes. There is not one player at the third pick that can completely change the outcome of this season. The most likely trade partner would be the Buffalo Bills who own two picks in each of the first three rounds.
If the Colts do stay put the top option should be Bradley Chubb of North Carolina State. The talented defensive end would fit in smoothly in the Colts new even front as an edge defender. He is far and away the best edge prospect in the draft. Chubb is also one of the safest picks with a great blend of technique and athleticism. Bringing Chubb on board would make him the team’s best defensive lineman and possibly defender period.
Indianapolis could be tempted by running back Saquon Barkley and guard Quinton Nelson. However, Barkley would be doomed behind that offensive line. Nelson would be a huge upgrade on the offensive line but it is hard to justify a guard at the third spot in the draft. He is a fantastic prospect but that position just is not valuable enough to be worth the third pick.