Colts 7-round mock draft: TE Brock Bowers in round 1

Early on in this draft process, arguably the most popular selection by the Colts in mock drafts was Georiga TE Brock Bowers. Since then, it seems that many believe the likelihood of Bowers making it to the Colt at 15 is slim. I also think Bowers hears his name in the top 14 picks, but we've all been surprised before by a prospect falling come draft day, and we will be again. Who's to say that couldn't be Bowers this year?

Bowers offers the Colts the chance at an elite TE. Which has been proven to be a significant advantage for the few teams that have one on their roster. The Colts deployed a TE-by-committee approach last season, but you could see all the different ways Shane Steichen likes to use his TEs in the passing game. Now imagine, instead of using four different guys to do so, the Colts had a player like Bowers, who can be used in many different ways and provides quite the security blanket for second-year QB Anthony Richardson. 

Round 2, Pick 46: Max Melton, CB, Rutgers

The Colts need to add another CB this offseason, whether through free agency or the NFL Draft. They are set up to start two second-year players, Juju Brents and Jaylon Jones. And while I know the Colts like both players, I think just handing Jones the job without any added competition is a mistake. And if the Colts pass on CB in round one, they better hope they can hit on a CB at some point throughout the 2024 NFL Draft.

An intriguing option if the Colts targeted CB in round two is Rutgers CB Max Melton. Melton has had an excellent draft process, which began with a stellar week at the 2024 Senior Bowl. Where I'm told Melton's aggressive play style and competitive mindset led to multiple great interviews with NFL teams, as well as a solid week of practice. Melton is a bit smaller than the typical CB the Colts would take this high at 5'11" and 187 lbs, but you couldn't tell by how he plays. While Melton may not check the Colts' typical box with his size, he clearly checks their box as an athlete after running a 4.39 40-yard dash along with an impressive 40.0" vertical and the furthest broad jump of any CB at the Scouting Combine 11'4". 

Round 3, Pick 82: Jermaine Burton, WR, Alabama

While the Colts added a dynamic offensive weapon at TE in round one I still think they would need to add a WR in this talented class. With them waiting till round three in this mock, they don't land any of the premiere names but they do land a WR that I think people are sleeping on in this class. And that WR is Alabama's Jermaine Burton.

Burton has as sure-fire hands as you will see at the WR position. And is coming off a season in which he recorded 0 drops on 57 targets. Burton's play style would slide into the Colts Z WR role like a glove as he has multiple examples on tape of attacking defenses vertically. He also possesses size that would allow him to play both on the outside and in the slot which would offer the Colts some flexibility. And last but not least Burton's performance at the Scouting Combine showed how solid of an athlete he is by running a 4.45 40-yard dash as well as recording a 38.5" vertical and 11'1" broad jump. 

Round 4, Pick 117: Jaylin Simpson, DB, Auburn 

The Colts even up their draft at two to two between offense and defense with this fourth-round selection of Auburn defensive back Jaylin Simpson. The reason I labeled Simpson as a DB instead of choosing safety or corner is he truly can play both effectively. With the Colts, I think Simpson would project best as a deep safety and could compete for their opening FS job in training camp.

But the best part about Simpson as a prospect to me is that he can honestly play both safety positions as well as sliding into the slot at corner seamlessly. And while he didn't line up outside at CB much last year, he spent extensive time in his first two seasons. A versatile defensive back who excels in coverage, like Simpson, should interest the Colts . And after his solid testing at the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine, I think he's definitely on their radar. 

Round 5, Pick 151: Tanor Bortolini, C, Wisconsin 

It seems like the Colts take a shot on an athletic offensive lineman who played multiple positions in college nearly every draft. And Wisconsin's Tanor Bortolini, for sure, fits that bill. During his time at Wisconsin, he played at least 200 snaps at center, right guard, left guard, and right tackle. And he is coming off his first season where he played exclusively at center. Bortolini is projected to hear his name on day three of the NFL Draft, but before the combine, many had him penciled in as a sixth or seventh-round pick.

After the combine, though, I think he elevated himself into the fifth round and potentially even the fourth. He ran the second-fastest 40-yard dash of any offensive lineman (4.94), the fastest three-cone by a full tenth of a second (7.16), and the fastest 20-yard shuttle. He also had an impressive 32.5" vertical. The Colts could draft Borolini and allow him to compete as the backup center or guard. But I think the upside of this pick will be to attempt to develop him into Ryan Kelly's successor at center. 

Round 6, Pick 191: Jordan Magee, LB, Temple

If the Colts want to add an athletic, high-motor LB on day three of the draft, Temple's Jordan Magee is perfect. When you watch Magee on tape, he seems to be around the ball at all times. And he is always trying to make the big play. While I don't think Magee would compete for a starting job on the Colts' defense as a rookie, I think he could carve out a role on special teams and be a really productive player there early in his career. He has also flashed in coverage which should interest. the Colts. I think he would best be used as a backup to either Zaire Franklin or E.J. Speed, with the possibility of developing into a third starter for the Colts. 

Round 7, Pick 234: Tyler Owens, S, Texas Tech 

And with the Colts' final pick in this mock, I have them adding Texas Tech safety Tyler Owens. Owens was one of the stars at the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine after he recorded a jaw-dropping 12'2" broad jump, the best at this year's combine and the second furthest broad jump in the history of the Scouting Combine. I'll be honest, on tape, I don't see a starting caliber safety. But what I do think he can be is an elite special teamer, and with the Colts losing Tony Brown this offseason, I think that's a need. Owens has the upside to becoming an all-pro special teams player with the right coaching, and I think he's worth drafting in round seven to beat the long line I imagine forms for him as an undrafted free agent.