Mock Draft Monday, our weekly roundup of experts’ predictions for who the Colts will take in the NFL Draft, is back just a few days before the Carolina Panthers go on the clock Thursday night.
Selection (No. 4 overall): Will Levis, QB, Kentucky
Expert: Peter King, NBC Sports
Date of mock draft: April 24 (link)
Analysis: “I don’t believe the Colts will trade to two, so let’s put a kibosh on that. This one has risen up over the last week or so, and I’ve heard so much here that I’m not sure at all what to believe. Seems way too high for Levis, and I will not be stunned if Roger Goodell announces Anthony Richardson here. Levis’ IQ and football IQ are both strong, and that appeals to the Colts. He’s a favorite of the Mannings, and that appeals to the Colts (though an overrated factor in the public’s mind). And the Colts, it seems, have to pick Levis or Richardson to get off the quarterback-a-year merry-go-round. It wouldn’t surprise me if coach Shane Steichen leaned Richardson and used Gardner Minshew or Nick Foles as the 2023 interim while getting Richardson ready for 2024. This will be an interesting pivot point of the draft, and Levis going here would leave Seattle and Detroit smiling widely at picks five and six.”
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Selection (No. 4 overall): C.J. Stroud, QB, Ohio State
Expert: Nate Davis, USA Today
Date of mock draft: April 24 (link)
Analysis: “It seems every year as the draft approaches, at least one prominent prospect finds himself trying to deflect negative narratives. On that front, the last few weeks have hardly been kind to Stroud, who seemed like a 1A choice – at worst – to Young on the quarterback front following the scouting combine. But even if Houston passes, hard to believe Stroud will tumble far, especially given the lack of stability Ballard and Co. have endured under center since Andrew Luck’s shocking retirement four years ago. An exceptionally accurate passer with the Buckeyes (69.3% completion rate in college) who would benefit from the tutelage of new Indy HC (and QB guru) Shane Steichen, Stroud could certainly do worse than coming to a team that’s usually competitive and featuring a RB (2021 rushing champ Jonathan Taylor) who could carry much of the load.”
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Selection (No. 4 overall): Anthony Richardson, QB, Florida
Expert: Nick Suss, Nashville Tennessean
Date of mock draft: April 24 (link)
Analysis: “He’s not the most polished passer, but his skills are impossible to deny. The Colts gamble on his growth and hope they have a signal caller reminiscent of Cam Newton and Lamar Jackson, as Richardson often describes himself.”
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Selection (No. 4 overall): C.J. Stroud, QB, Ohio State
Expert: Bryant McFadden, CBS Sports
Date of mock draft: April 24 (link)
Analysis: “Arguably the second-best QB was available at four. There was nothing to think about for Indy.”
Selection (No. 4 overall): C.J. Stroud, QB, Ohio State
Selection (No. 35 overall): Deonte Banks, CB, Maryland
Selection (No. 79 overall): Henry To’o To’o, LB, Alabama
Expert: Charlie Campbell, WalterFootball.com
Date of mock draft: April 24 (link)
Analysis: “While there is a lot of chatter about the Colts taking Will Levis, I think they are going to select Stroud. Stroud is a great fit for their offense, and his tape is exponentially better than what Levis or Anthony Richardson produced in college. If Houston passes on Stroud and he falls to Indianapolis, he could be a massive steal for the Colts.”
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Selection (No. 4 overall): C.J. Stroud, QB, Ohio State
Selection (No. 35 overall): Jalin Hyatt, WR, Tennessee
Selection (No. 79 overall): Darius Rush, CB, South Carolina
Expert: Matt Miller, ESPN
Date of mock draft: April 24 (link)
Analysis: “The latest buzz around the NFL continues to focus on the Colts preferring Kentucky’s Will Levis over Florida’s Anthony Richardson due to his NFL-readiness and background in a pro-style offense, but none of that matters with Stroud surprisingly still on the board. After being schooled in Ohio State’s timing-based system, Stroud has the arm strength, toughness and mobility to fit the Shane Steichen offense. He isn’t Jalen Hurts, whom Steichen worked with in Philly, but he is a solid mover in and out of the pocket and has the arm talent to make every throw.”
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Selection (No. 4 overall): Anthony Richardson, QB, Florida
Expert: Cody Benjamin, CBS Sports
Date of mock draft: April 23 (link)
Analysis: “Few teams are as desperate for a QB, and while a more refined prospect would be ideal, Richardson’s supersized athleticism warrants the big swing. His speed alone should give him a high floor, and he can theoretically sit behind Gardner Minshew while learning Shane Steichen’s system.”
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Selection (No. 4 overall): Anthony Richardson, QB, Florida
Expert: Ryan Wilson, CBS Sports
Date of mock draft: April 23 (link)
Analysis: “Richardson was pretty impressive at his Pro Day; he’s built like a defensive end, runs like a power back and can throw the football 80 yards and make it look easy. His athleticism and arm strength leave a lasting impression when you see him in person, as does the effortlessness with which he plays. But what he has in God-given ability, he lacks in experience, so his best landing spot at the next level will be to a team with a veteran quarterback who can man the reins for another year or two until he’s ready to take the next step. And if managed properly, that next step could truly be special.”
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Selection (No. 4 overall): C.J. Stroud, QB, Ohio State
Selection (No. 35 overall): Kelee Ringo, CB, Georgia
Selection (No. 79 overall): Dawand Jones, OT, Ohio State
Expert: Chad Reuter, NFL.com
Date of mock draft: April 22 (link)
Analysis: “Stroud’s accuracy and strength from the pocket should make him the young starter the Colts desire, but only if they improve their offensive-line play and receiving corps.”
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Selection (No. 4 overall): C.J. Stroud, QB, Ohio State
Expert: Doug Farrar, Touchdown Wire
Date of mock draft: April 22 (link)
Analysis: “Given new Colts head coach Shane Steichen’s history as Philly’s offensive coordinator, there’s a legitimate thought that Indy could be in play for Anthony Richardson or Will Levis so that Steichen could run the quarterback run-based offense he ran with Jalen Hurts, and to great effect — certainly with Richardson. But Steichen also has a history with Philip Rivers, and he still values the more “traditional” quarterback attributes just as much. Nobody in this class has better ball placement than Stroud, he’s more functionally mobile than people have thought, and he comes into the league able to run an NFL offense right away. I have compared Stroud to a more mobile Philip Rivers, so there you go.”
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Selection (No. 3 overall, trade up with Arizona Cardinals): Anthony Richardson, QB, Florida
Selection (No. 35 overall): John Michael Schmitz, iOL, Minnesota
Expert: Natalie Miller, Draft Wire
Date of mock draft: April 22 (link)
Analysis: “The Colts take zero risk in losing their potential signal caller of the future and jump up one pick to take the highest ceiling player in this entire class. Richardson and Steichen have a chance to make magic early in his career, and it’s easy to see him starting right away.”
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Selection (No. 4 overall): C.J. Stroud, QB, Ohio State
Selection (No. 35 overall): O’Cyrus Torrence, iOL, Florida
Selection (No. 79 overall): Jaylon Jones, CB, Texas A&M
Expert: Ian Valentino, Pro Football Network
Date of mock draft: April 22 (link)
Analysis: “The Indianapolis Colts should be locked into a quarterback here. It’s easy to make the case for either C.J. Stroud or Richardson, depending on which is available. It’s possible the Colts could have both players available if Houston opts to take a defender at No. 2 and Arizona doesn’t trade out.”
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Selection (No. 4 overall): Anthony Richardson, QB, Florida
Expert: Tommy Garrett, Pro Football Network
Date of mock draft: April 21 (link)
Analysis: “Owning the highest ceiling of any QB in the class, Richardson is extremely raw but possesses undeniable elite traits. Look, taking the floor play at QB is like taking an iron off the tee and still hitting it into the bunker. The Colts are pulling out the big stick and going for it all. Head coach Shane Steichen helped turn Jalen Hurts from a proven winner in college to a Super Bowl-appearing quarterback MVP candidate that just signed a massive extension. While Richardson has nowhere near the same level of experience and polish as Hurts, he could be a Cam Newton-level superstar for the Colts and finally give them some stability at the position for the first time since Andrew Luck walked off the field in the closing hours of the 2019 preseason.”
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Selection (No. 4 overall): Will Levis, QB, Kentucky
Expert: Bryan DeArdo, CBS Sports
Date of mock draft: April 20 (link)
Analysis: “Indianapolis gets a talented but raw quarterback who will look to snap the team’s two-year playoff drought.”
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Selection (No. 4 overall): Will Levis, QB, Kentucky
Selection (No. 35 overall): Zay Flowers, WR, Boston College
Selection (No. 79 overall): Cory Trice Jr., CB, Purdue
Expert: Josh Edwards, CBS Sports
Date of mock draft: April 20 (link)
Analysis: “Indianapolis could have a choice to make between two quarterbacks. In this instance, it is Will Levis and Anthony Richardson. It is my belief that the Colts would take Levis. The Colts have lacked stability at the position since Andrew Luck retired.”
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Selection (No. 4 overall): Will Levis, QB, Kentucky
Expert: Will Brinson, CBS Sports
Date of mock draft: April 20 (link)
Analysis: “It’s hard to imagine the Colts not taking a QB if only one is gone before them, given how Jim Irsay has pressed this offseason. Anthony Richardson could be the pick, but Levis might profile as more likely to win right now and save jobs.”
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Selection (No. 3 overall, trade up with Arizona Cardinals): Bryce Young, QB, Alabama
Experts: Maurice Jones-Drew, NFL.com
Date of mock draft: April 20 (link)
Analysis: “The Colts have long searched for a quarterback. When Young becomes available at No. 3, owner Jim Irsay, general manager Chris Ballard and head coach Shane Steichen wisely outbid other teams, jumping at the opportunity to land their franchise quarterback.”
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Selection (No. 4 overall): C.J. Stroud, QB, Ohio State
Selection (No. 35 overall): Jordan Addison, WR, USC
Selection (No. 79 overall): Chandler Zavala, iOL, North Carolina State
Experts: Trevor Sikkema and Connor Rogers, Pro Football Focus
Date of mock draft: April 20 (link)
Analysis: “I think this is a really great scenario for C.J. Stroud. And for a player who is one of the purest pocket passers in this class, I think the offense is already very close to [that]. He would be a great fit in Indianapolis.” — Sikkema”
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Selection (No. 4 overall): C.J. Stroud, QB, Ohio State
Selection (No. 35 overall): Keion White, DE, Georgia Tech
Selection (No. 79 overall): Emil Ekiyor, iOL, Alabama
Expert: Walter Cherepinsky, WalterFootball.com
Date of mock draft: April 20 (link)
Analysis: “At this rate, it’s fair to wonder if Texans general manager Nick Caserio is a sleeper agent working for the Colts. The Texans won a meaningless game late in the year versus Indianapolis, which hurt their draft choice and moved up the Colts in the order. Now, Caserio will allegedly be passing on C.J. Stroud, which will allow a franchise quarterback to fall into the Colts’ lap. I hope Jim Irsay is paying Caserio well!”
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Selection (No. 4 overall): Anthony Richardson, QB, Florida
Expert: Adam Caplan, Pro Football Network
Date of mock draft: April 19 (link)
Analysis: “The Colts know they have to come out of this draft with a quarterback, and C.J. Stroud, who is one of the top two for this draft, is the call. While Young may be a little better processor of information at the snap, Stroud, from talking to some position coaches around the NFL, would be ready to start right away. Sure, the team is in major need of help at cornerback, but they have to solve their long-standing quarterback issue now — Stroud would get that done for them. And there will still be plenty of solid cornerback options in Rounds 2 or 3 for them.”
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Selection (No. 4 overall): Will Levis, QB, Kentucky
Expert: Michael Renner, Pro Football Focus
Date of mock draft: April 19 (link)
Analysis: “Ballard prioritizes tools more so than any NFL general manager, and he has his choice here of two uber-toolsy prospects. Levis is more battle-tested and NFL-ready than Richardson. He can easily start right away for a roster that needs it.”
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Selection (No. 4 overall): Will Levis, QB, Kentucky
Expert: Jonathan Jones, CBS Sports
Date of mock draft: April 19 (link)
Analysis: “There are plenty of teams that wouldn’t touch Levis in the top 10 of any draft. Indy general manager Chris Ballard is a traits guy, and Levis certainly has them.”
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Selection (No. 4 overall): Anthony Richardson, QB, Florida
Expert: Vinnie Iyer, The Sporting News
Date of mock draft: April 19 (link)
Analysis: “The Colts might need to swing a trade with the Cardinals slide up to No. 3 to ensure getting the third quarterback, but should Young and Stroud be gone, Richardson looks like the choice. He has massive arm and athletic upside to think he will click in Shane Steichen’s offense after he coached Jalen Hurts so well in Philadelphia.”
Selection (No. 4 overall): C.J. Stroud, QB, Ohio State
Selection (No. 35 overall): Felix Anudike-Uzomah, DE, Kansas State
Selection (No. 79 overall): Jordan Battle, S, Alabama
Expert: Chris Traposso, CBS Sports
Date of mock draft: April 19
Analysis: “The Colts jump at this opportunity, and Richardson could hit the ground running — literally and figuratively — with head coach Shane Steichen.”
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Selection (No. 4 overall): Anthony Richardson, QB, Florida
Selection (No. 35 overall): Kelee Ringo, CB, Georgia
Selection (No. 79 overall): Kayshon Boutte, WR, LSU
Expert: Curt Popejoy, Draft Wire
Date of mock draft: April 19 (link)
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Selection (No. 4 overall): Bryce Young, QB, Alabama
Expert: Scott Bair, AtlantaFalcons.com
Date of mock draft: April 18 (link)
Analysis: “This is a dream scenario for the Colts. Jim Irsay would be counting lucky stars.”
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Selection (No. 4 overall): Anthony Richardson, QB, Florida
Expert: Brianna Dix, Buccaneers.com
Date of mock draft: April 18 (link)
Analysis: “Richardson has become one of the most polarizing players in the 2023 draft class with arguably the highest ceiling but inconsistency/ inaccuracy concerns. Richardson upped his stock at the Combine, recording a record of 40.5 inches in the vertical leap and ran a blazing 4.43 (first among quarterbacks) in the 40-yard dash. He can make explosive plays as both a rusher and a passer, including his potential to gash with the deep ball. Richardson can effectively throw while on the move, executing rollouts and bootlegs. He is a threat on zone reads and in short-yardage situations. Although he lacks refinement, Richardson’s speed and arm strength present a fascinating ceiling.”
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Selection (No. 4 overall): Anthony Richardson, QB, Florida
Expert: Stephen Holder, ESPN (via Los Angeles Times)
Date of mock draft: April 18 (link)
Analysis: “New coach Shane Steichen wants to implement a heavy passing attack that features numerous downfield attempts. Stroud’s combination of accuracy and experience suggest he can handle this role as a rookie.”
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Selection (No. 4 overall): Anthony Richardson, QB, Florida
Selection (No. 35 overall): Drew Sanders, LB, Arkansas
Selection (No. 79 overall): Nick Saldiveri, T, Old Dominion
Expert: Ryan Wilson, CBS Sports
Date of mock draft: April 18 (link)
Analysis: “Richardson was pretty impressive at his pro day; he’s built like a defensive end runs like a power back and can throw the football 80 yards and make it look easy. His athleticism and arm strength leave a lasting impression when you see him in person, as does the effortlessness with which he plays. But what he has in God-given ability, he lacks in experience, so his best landing spot at the next level will be to a team with a veteran quarterback who can man the reins for another year or two until he’s ready to take the next step. And if managed properly, that next step could truly be special.”
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Selection (No. 4 overall): Anthony Richardson, QB, Florida
Selection (No. 35 overall): Isaiah Foskey, DE, Notre Dame
Selection (No. 79 overall): Marvin Mims, WR, Oklahoma
Expert: Oliver Hodgkinson, Pro Football Network
Date of mock draft: April 18 (link)
Analysis: “You won’t find a better QB/team fit in this entire 2023 NFL Mock Draft than Anthony Richardson to the Indianapolis Colts. The former Florida QB has dynamic creative ability, boasts impressive pocket manipulation, and has a cannon for an arm, enabling him to rattle off the punishing deep shots that are a key component of new head coach Shane Steichen’s offense.”
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Selection (No. 4 overall): Anthony Richardson, QB, Florida
Selection (No. 35 overall): O’Cyrus Torrence, iOL, Florida
Selection (No. 79 overall): Darius Rush, CB, South Carolina
Expert: Todd McShay & Mel Kiper Jr., ESPN
Date of mock draft: April 18 (link)
Analysis: “Indy has to solve the problem under center. Richardson might not be ready to play right away, but the sky is the limit on his potential. With a huge arm and great mobility, he’d be a dynamic player running new coach Shane Steichen’s offense.”
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Selection (No. 4 overall): Anthony Richardson, QB, Florida
Selection (No. 35 overall): Adetomiwa Adebawore, DE, Northwestern
Selection (No. 79 overall): Jordan Battle, S, Alabama
Expert: Tankathon.com Staff
Date of mock draft: April 18 (link)
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Selection (No. 4 overall): Will Levis, QB, Kentucky
Expert: Arjun Menon and Brad Spielberger, Pro Football Focus
Date of mock draft: April 18 (link)
Analysis: “Will Levis seems like the quarterback at the center of the widest range of opinions in the public sphere. But the Colts desperately need to find a franchise signal-caller and can’t afford to wait another year for that to happen. Given the surplus value of taking a quarterback over a non-quarterback in this spot, Levis makes the most sense for the Colts and gives new head coach Shane Steichen another big-armed passer, similar to what he had in Los Angeles with Justin Herbert.”
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Selection (No. 2 overall, trade up with Houston Texans): C.J. Stroud, QB, Ohio State
Expert: Peter Schrager, NFL Network
Date of mock draft: April 18 (link)
Analysis: “Would Indianapolis trade DeForest Buckner and the No. 4 overall pick to move up two spots? I think Houston would have to listen if it’s offered. Remember, new Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans was with Buckner for three seasons in San Francisco, and “DeFo” just restructured his contract. If Buckner is not included in the trade, how about adding a second- or third-round pick instead? It’s also worth noting that Stroud is represented by the same agent as Deshaun Watson; I wonder if this could play any role in the selection of the Ohio State quarterback, based on the acrimonious way Watson’s time with the Texans ended.”
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Selection (No. 4 overall): C.J. Stroud, QB, Ohio State
Expert: Charles McDonald, Yahoo Sports
Date of mock draft: April 17 (link)
Analysis: “Young, Anthony Richardson, Levis and C.J. Stroud all came off the board to start the draft, leaving the Seahawks in a situation where they can draft Jalen Carter — arguably the best talent in the entire draft.”
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Selection (No. 4 overall): Anthony Richardson, QB, Florida
Expert: Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz, USA Today
Date of mock draft: April 17 (link)
Analysis: “Owner Jim Irsay summed up the current moment in the draft process with a seemingly meaningless tweet Sunday, leaving fans to decipher any intention behind how he decided to order the photos of the top four quarterbacks in the draft. Richardson earns this spot not due to Irsay placing him first among those photos, but instead for the remarkable potential he would bring to a franchise burned out on short-term solutions. If this pairing does materialize, it would be a boon to both Richardson and coach Shane Steichen, whose track record suggests he’d do a fine job of making use of the 6-4, 244-pounder’s dazzling deep passing and singular mobility.”
