NFL Draft 2019: Indianapolis Colts full NFL mock draft
By Joe Romano
Round 2 – Pick 34
Johnathan Abram, S, Mississippi State
The Indianapolis Colts paired their former first-round pick Malik Hooker at safety with a bunch of cast-offs from other teams. This was an intriguing strategy but it left the team without a strong safety on their roster. The trio of Clayton Geathers, Mike Mitchell and J.J. Wilcox are all now free agents. There are reports that the Colts could bring Geathers back, but even with him in the fold the strong safety position is due for an upgrade.
That is where Johnathan Abram of Mississippi State comes in. Abram is one of the hardest hitters and surest tacklers in the draft. He plays much bigger than his 5-foot-11 and 203-pound frame would suggest. He’s an old school safety who is not afraid to mix it up anywhere on the field. His best role is near the box where he can shadow tight ends in man coverage or stop the short/intermediate area of the field. This makes him the perfect compliment to Hooker.
Pairing the two young safeties give the Colts plenty of options defensively. Abram’s speed, evident by his 4.45 40 yard dash, allows him to flow sideline to sideline with star linebacker Darius Leonard. This is the kind of move that can complete a defense and make the unit as a whole much better.
There were options here at receiver and defensive end. In the end, Abram is a projected first round pick who could fall to the top of the second round. Ballard is all about taking the best player available and, at this point, it’s Abram.