Indianapolis Colts full 2018 NFL mock draft
By Joe Romano
Round 3 – Pick 67
Josey Jewell, LB, Iowa
After landing Bradley Chubb at the top of the draft, the Colts can keep their eyes on front seven players. After missing out on Anthony Hitchens, linebacker is a glaring hole. The biggest hole is at the middle linebacker, who needs to be the quarterback of the defense. Luckily, like with wide receivers, linebacker is a deep position in this draft. There are quality players who can contribute and start late in day two. One of the players that seems to be a love/hate prospect is Iowa’s Josey Jewell.
Jewell will get knocked for his lack of coverage ability. Individuals point to his one play getting roasted by Saquon Barkley. If covering Barkley is the standard in which all linebackers will get measured then most will fail. Jewell had a strong combine which should keep him inside day two.
His strengths would match perfectly for the Colts. He is an instinctive attacking linebacker who trusts his eyes. He is a bit small at only 6-foot-1 and 235 pounds. However, his strong agility testing at the combine proved that he can move. That is important, as it will keep him on the field on third downs. His 24 passes defended over the last three seasons shows that he has some coverage ability despite not being the most athletic.
Players like Jewell, who are more cerebral than athlete, are tough to bet against. His intelligence and play style will fit well for the Colts. He can be the quarterback of this unit that desperately needs one.