2020 NFL Draft: Indianapolis Colts 7-round mock
By John Buhler
Fifth Round
Scouting Report. RB. player. 824. Pick Analysis. Maryland Terrapins. Anthony McFarland Jr.. 160
There could be a second Anthony McFarland in the NFL next year. While his father Booger McFarland color commentates in ESPN’s Monday Night Football booth, his son will be a running back taken on day three of the 2020 NFL Draft out of the University of Maryland. With it being chaotic in College Park, it shouldn’t surprise anyone McFarland left school two years early.
In two seasons playing running back for the Terps, McFarland ran for 1,648 yards on 245 carries for 12 touchdowns. While he didn’t go for over 1,000 yards in 2019, he did it as a redshirt freshman in 2018. McFarland doubled his rushing touchdown total last fall, despite Maryland struggling mightily under first-year head coach Mike Locksley. McFarland has an NFL pedigree.
Sixth Round
Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. SMU Mustangs. player. 884. S. Patrick Nelson. 193
For a late-round pick, you’re always looking for a player who can play multiple positions and compete for a job on special teams. You’ll want a guy with mental toughness who can navigate the tough road ahead of him as he embarks on his NFL journey. Look for the Colts to go with someone like SMU Mustangs safety Patrick Nelson with the No. 193 pick in the sixth round.
Nelson originally played his college ball at Illinois. After his redshirt sophomore season, Nelson elected to transfer to SMU where he improved his ball skills and pass-rushing abilities. Nelson had all three of his collegiate interceptions playing in The American down in Dallas. He also had an impressive 12.5 sacks in 13 games played as a redshirt senior…as a safety.
Seventh Round
Scouting Report. 227. player. 893. Pick Analysis. LB. Mississippi State Bulldogs. Willie Gay Jr.
It looks to be the case Indianapolis will load up on defensive personnel for Matt Eberflus in the 2020 NFL Draft. With needs at guard and linebacker heading into the seventh round, the Colts will go with a more productive defensive player in Mississippi State linebacker Willie Gay Jr. than to overreach for an interior offensive lineman who is probably not worth being drafted at this point.
Gay leaves Starkville with 99 total tackles (53 assists, 46 solo), 11 for a loss of yardage and six sacks to his name. He also has a nose for forcing turnovers with three career interceptions, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. Maybe he can make a big play on special teams to help the Colts win ball games in the crucial third phase of the game as a rookie?
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Overall, the Colts will need to trade back in the draft if they want to address all nine of their 2020 NFL Draft needs. Being able to fill their three biggest holes within the first 45 picks of the draft is incredible. Having at least one pick in every round is also a huge boost for the Colts this spring. So what if they don’t draft a guard in this mock draft? Indianapolis comes out of Las Vegas just fine.