2022 NFL Draft: Indianapolis Colts 7-round mock

Round 5: Bailey Zappe

The Colts will not select a quarterback like Zappe in Round 5 with the expectation that he’s going to come in and displace Wentz. Instead, look for Indianapolis to land a guy they can groom into a high-quality backup if things break right.

Zappe has above-average accuracy from the pocket and throws a good deep ball with touch. The problem is that he just doesn’t have the arm strength required to make those deep throws outside the hash that make NFL offenses hum.

His accuracy and understanding of the game make him a nice add for the Colts in Round 5. He shouldn’t be counted on to play high-leverage snaps, but he’ll give the franchise a nice insurance policy at quarterback for a moderate price.

Round 5: Nick Cross

Look for the Colts to take advantage of the deep group of safeties available in this year’s draft by nabbing one with a relatively late pick. Cross doesn’t possess the power in the box that a lot of teams want to combat modern offenses, but he’s a long, rangy player who can hold up in coverage in the final third.

Maryland used him in a lot of single-high looks and he managed not to get exposed too often despite a lack of elite speed. The Colts won’t put him on that sort of island. His length gives him a chance to make a lot of plays on the ball in conventional two-safety looks.