Colts Mock Draft 2.0

A lot has changed in a week since the first edition of the Colts mock draft. The Colts released kicker Matt Gay and re-signed tight end Mo Alie-Cox and the revelation of the tumultuous off-the-field situation involving Braden Smith. Do either of those moves change GM Chris Ballard’s draft strategy in the war room a little over a week from now? Time will tell. For now, let’s dive into mock draft 2.0. I did not accept trades in the first version, but I will accept them in this one. I’m trying not to get carried away with trades that are clearly “pie in the sky” or outlandish offers but Ballard likes to trade down. Let’s see how the Colts do this time out:

FIRST ROUND – 16TH OVERALL PICK (TRADE with Arizona Cardinals)

COLSTON LOVELAND, TE, MICHIGAN

Right out of the gate we get a trade back. Penn State tight end Tyler Warren got scooped by the Carolina Panthers with the 8th overall pick in this draft and the Arizona Cardinals came a knocking offering up the 16th overall pick and their third-round pick (78th overall). It was worth the two-pick trade down to acquire the additional third-round selection.

With the 16th overall pick, I selected Michigan tight end Colston Loveland. Loveland and Warren seem to be ping-ponging back and forth as far as the top tight end in the draft. If the Colts can get either one, they will be giving Anthony Richardson and Daniel Jones a solid weapon downfield. 

Loveland offers some Brock Bowers comps. Colts’ fans would be thrilled if his production in his rookie season came anywhere close to Bowers, but he offers a big frame at 6’6” and nearly 250 pounds for either quarterback to find him downfield. Despite uneven QB play with the Wolverines, Loveland was still able to rack up a career-high 56 receptions and five touchdowns. Every Colts fan would sign up for production like that from the TE position.

SECOND ROUND – 45TH OVERALL PICK

TRE AMOS, CB, OLE MISS

Just like Mock Draft 1.0, Amos was available at 45 to select. I like him a lot and I think he can help bolster a revamped secondary as well as offer some versatility and youth in a room filled with veterans. He’s a great combination of size, strength, and length to offer up a great challenge against opposing wideouts. He needs to work on some tackling but that’s something defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo can work on to make him an even more complete corner.

THIRD ROUND – 78TH OVERALL PICK (Acquired from Arizona Cardinals)

CHRIS PAUL JR., LB, OLE MISS

Back-to-back Rebels go to the Colts. This one is courtesy of the additional pick acquired in the trade with the Cardinals. With this selection, the Colts bolster their thin linebacker crew with Chris Paul Jr., who has no relation to the future NBA Hall of Famer of the same name. Paul projects as a weak-side linebacker and considering the Colts linebacker group is Zaire Franklin and a bunch of other guys, it’s a great chance for the rookie to earn a spot in the rotation or even make the starting 11. His 6’1” and 235-pound frame gives him speed, strong tackling, and sideline-to-sideline range.

THIRD ROUND – 80TH OVERALL PICK

OZZY TRAPILO, OT, BOSTON COLLEGE

The Colts offensive line is going through some changes this offseason as we’ve discussed in previous articles. The departures of Will Fries and Ryan Kelly mean the Colts can use some reinforcements across the line. Trapilo, although only one man, has played multiple positions at his time with the Golden Eagles, specifically both tackle positions. This adds some insurance behind Bernhard Raimann and Braden Smith in 2025 and starts the process of adding some youth to an offensive line that has three of the five starters over the league median age. Trapilo has good footwork and can help be a contributor in run blocking and pass protection schemes.

FOURTH ROUND – 117TH OVERALL PICK

CJ WEST, DT, INDIANA

A local selection for Chris Ballard and the Colts here as they land a product of Curt Cignetti’s crew down in Bloomington. He can find his way into the rotation when it comes to giving Grover Stewart or DeForest Buckner a play or two off. Both guys are 31 years old and not getting any younger. A splash of youth at the position could be a big boost for a defensive line that needs to improve on disrupting the opposing passing games and West’s block-shedding ability will help with all that. He clocks in at 6’2” and 315 pounds and could be a force in the middle of the defensive line.

FIFTH ROUND – 151ST OVERALL PICK

MALACHI MOORE, S, ALABAMA

Another addition to the secondary, this time a ball-hawking safety from the Crimson Tide. He racked up seven interceptions in 2024 and was a true centerfielder for the Alabama secondary thanks to his athleticism and coverage skills. Add in his awareness and ability to thrive on deep passes and the Colts could get themselves a late steal in the draft.

SIXTH ROUND – 189TH OVERALL PICK

DILLON GABRIEL, QB, OREGON

The Colts add to their quarterback room with this pick. Gabriel bounced around the college ranks in his six years, spending time with UCF, Oklahoma and Oregon. He racked up the second-most passing yards in college football history and tied for the most passing touchdowns. He finished third in the Heisman voting in 2024. He’s not the tallest or strongest guy and he’s two years older than Anthony Richardson but Gabriel has had longevity for a reason and the Colts could use him to help add pressure in the quarterback room.

SEVENTH ROUND – 232ND OVERALL PICK

JEFFREY BASSA, LB, OREGON

The Colts wrap their draft picks up with back-to-back selections from the Ducks. This time it’s Gabriel’s teammate on the defensive side, linebacker Jeffrey Bassa. Bassa transitioned from safety to linebacker and adds strong coverage and tackling skills as well as the ability to be productive in man and zone schemes. His versatility helps him with the Colts, who need some depth and talent at the linebacker position. He checks those boxes.

Thoughts on this version of the Colts draft? Is Colston Loveland and an additional third worth missing out on Tyler Warren? Maybe the drop-off isn’t as severe as you think and it’s more of a wash with an additional pick. I’ll give my third and final mock draft next week before the NFL Draft officially gets underway next Thursday from Green Bay.