2024 mock draft roundup 2.0: Experts predict Colts’ selection
The 2023 season officially comes to an end Sunday with Super Bowl LVIII, which means much of the offseason focus for the Indianapolis Colts will shift toward the 2024 NFL draft.
Currently holding the No. 15 overall pick in the draft, the Colts have several ways they can go about using the selection. They could focus on finding explosive weapons for quarterback Anthony Richardson or decide to add some much-needed depth and upside to the defensive side of the ball.
As the offseason progresses, we will round up the most recent mock drafts to see who the experts believe the Colts should or will take when they are on the clock at the end of April.
Here’s our second mock draft roundup for the Colts entering the 2024 offseason. You can check out the previous iterations below:
Draft Wire
The Pick: WR Brian Thomas Jr., LSU
Mock Draft Date: Feb. 8
Author: Curt Popejoy
Link to Mock Draft
Author’s Take: “Brian Thomas is a perfect deep threat for the Colts and young quarterback Anthony Richardson.”
CBS Sports
The Pick: CB Nate Wiggins, Clemson
Mock Draft Date: Feb. 10
Author: Tom Fornelli
Link to Mock Draft
Author’s Take: “Wiggins could be a perfect fit for Indianapolis’ zone-heavy defense, as he spent most of his time in cover 3 playing for Clemson. He’s also got the ideal build for it, as he’s a tall and long corner on the outside. If I’m going to knock him, he’s not a burner (though he certainly isn’t slow), and he isn’t great against the run, though it isn’t for lack of effort.”
NFL.com
The Pick: TE Brock Bowers, Georgia
Mock Draft Date: Feb. 9
Author: Cynthia Frelund
Link to Mock Draft
Author’s Take: “Bowers is one of the new-mold tight ends, which means he forecasts to be especially potent in a more modern offense. Enter Shane Steichen, Anthony Richardson and the Colts’ scheme. Between blocking, aligning in the slot and out wide, making catches in the vaunted middle-third of the field and generally bullying defenders, Bowers is the kind of versatile piece that could make an immediate impact on the Colts’ offense — similar to what we saw from rookie tight ends in Detroit and Buffalo last year.”
Touchdown Wire
The Pick: CB Terrion Arnold, Alabama
Mock Draft Date: Feb. 4
Author: Jarrett Bailey
Link to Mock Draft
Author’s Take: N/A
USA TODAY
The Pick: WR Brian Thomas Jr., LSU
Mock Draft Date: Jan. 29
Author: Nate Davis
Link to Mock Draft
Author’s Take: “If a team that historically doesn’t use the franchise tag loses WR Michael Pittman Jr. to free agency, what better way to replace him than with a player who has a similar build (6-4, 200) yet might have superior downfield burst – potentially allowing Thomas to better leverage QB Anthony Richardson’s deep arm.”
ESPN
The Pick: DE Jared Verse, Florida State
Mock Draft Date: Feb. 5
Author: Matt Miller
Link to Mock Draft
Author’s Take: “I’m going off the assumption the Colts will franchise tag wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr ., and that would open the door for a pass-rusher here. The Colts have used recent draft picks on defensive ends in the first and second rounds with mixed results, and despite posting 51 sacks in 2023 (ranking fifth), they still lack a premier player at the position. Verse is a true 4-3 defensive end at 6-foot-4 and 260 pounds, and he posted nine sacks in 2023. With Verse opposite Kwity Paye and flanking DeForest Buckner, the front four could be a handful in Indy.”
Bleacher Report
The Pick: CB Cooper DeJean, Iowa
Mock Draft Date: Feb. 5
Author: Joe Tansey
Link to Mock Draft
Author’s Take: N/A
