Final Indianapolis Colts Mock Draft

The NFL Draft is a little over 24 hours away, and the news and rumors are flying fast and furious as we near Thursday night. It’s time for the final mock draft for the Indianapolis Colts and what they’ll do with the 14th overall pick and beyond.

FIRST ROUND – 14TH PICK

COLSTON LOVELAND, TE, PENN STATE

The more time I’ve had to marinate on the Colts and what they should do at 14, the more I find myself looking at Loveland. In almost every mock draft I did, Tyler Warren would require trading up to land him. If the difference between Warren and Loveland is negligible, then I think Chris Ballard and company stand pat on their draft board and take Loveland here. He’s dynamic, a big body, and can create separation downfield to help whoever the Colts have under center at quarterback. Loveland fills a giant need on the roster and adds a dynamic the Colts haven’t had in their offense for multiple seasons. The Colts land one of the top tight end prospects in the draft and get the “pass catching tight end” that Shane Steichen discussed in his pre-draft press conference. 

SECOND ROUND – 45TH PICK

LANDON JACKSON, EDGE, ARKANSAS

The Colts don’t have a defensive end locked up past 2025 outside of Laiatu Latu, and given the fact that Dayo Odeyingbo left in the offseason, the position got some additional need put on it. Jackson is one of the most productive edge rushers in the draft, having racked up 13 sacks and 25 tackles for loss over the last two seasons for the Razorbacks. At 6-6, he carries some massive size with him, and with that size comes explosiveness. Developing him under Lou Anarumo while rotating him in the lineup sounds like a good recipe for the Colts to follow here. 

THIRD ROUND – 80TH PICK

CHRIS PAUL JR., LB, OLE MISS

Check another position of need off the list with the selection of Chris Paul Jr. Linebacker is right near the top of the positions the Colts desperately need to add to in the draft. Outside of Zaire Franklin, there is a lot of uncertainty in the unit. Paul helps add some new blood and stability with his sideline-to-sideline speed and tackle ability. Where he lacks in some measurables, he makes up for in instincts and on-field contributions. 

FOURTH ROUND – 117TH PICK

CJ WEST, DT, INDIANA 

A local product joins the draft class as the Colts travel to Bloomington to take CJ West of the Hoosiers. West stood out at the Shrine Bowl and helped fortify Curt Cignetti’s defense last season thanks to his speed, ability, and explosiveness at the line. He can be a legitimate starter and gives a boost to an interior line currently occupied by DeForest Buckner and Grover Stewart, who are both in their 30’s. If he’s still available, the Colts would be silly not to grab him here. 

FIFTH ROUND – 151ST PICK 

DEVIN NEAL, RB, KANSAS

A surprising pick for some right here. I like Jonathan Taylor a lot. I like the addition of Khalil Herbert in the offseason, but there’s no doubt that the running back room could use some additional legs. That’s where Neal comes in. Taylor has been the workhorse for the Colts’ offense since his arrival, and those miles and wear and tear are starting to add up even at the age of 26. To continue to rely on Taylor to be the sole back in 2025 and beyond is wishing on a shooting star. Neal is a well-rounded back who carries explosive burst and vision. He is also a very reliable pass-catching running back, something the Colts have sorely lacked in recent years. He may not have breakaway speed like other backs, but he offers enough versatility and difference from Taylor that he offers a change of pace for opposing defenses as well as a nice spark for the Colts offense that could have Shane Steichen salivating. 

SIXTH ROUND – 189TH PICK

JOSHUA GRAY, OL, OREGON STATE

A big question heading into training camp and the season will be if the Colts can be solid up front with big changes on the offensive line. Ryan Kelly and Will Fries are with the Minnesota Vikings, and the Colts are going to have the most changes on the offensive line than they have in years. That means that are still quite a bit unknown about how solid each position is manned, which makes the selection of Joshua Gray a great value in the sixth round. Gray has a workman’s mentality, racking up over 3,800 reps in his college career. He adds versatility, having played at left tackle and left guard. His pass-blocking needs to improve, but his physicality can’t be questioned. He has “Chris Ballard guy” written all over him.  

SEVENTH ROUND – 232ND PICK

KURTIS ROURKE, QB, INDIANA 

The Colts round out their draft class with a local quarterback prospect with the selection of Kurtis Rourke. There is a lot of uncertainty in the quarterback room with Anthony Richardson entering a critical Year 3 and the addition of Daniel Jones, who has no ties to the organization after the 2025 season. The Colts attempt to offer a little of steadiness at the position beyond 2025 with the addition of Rourke. He completed over 70 percent of his passes with Curt Cignetti’s team last season, and while he won’t wow anyone with his arm strength or fool anyone with his speed, he is solid. He won’t get many reps in 2025, with Richardson and Jones consuming a lot of those themselves in their quarterback competition, but Rourke at the very least offers an option down the line, regardless of how the QB competition pans out between the other two guys. If he’s still on the board this late in the draft, the Colts would be wise to at least contemplate the selection, considering the volatility at the most important position in sports that they are rolling with in 2025.