What conflicting mock drafts hear about the Colts regarding the NFL Draft
It NFL Draft day! You've likely heard that the Indianapolis Colts want to find their quarterback of the future tonight with the No. 4 overall pick. Thank goodness there are last-minute mock drafts to let us know who the Colts are selecting.
It's Ohio State's C.J. Stroud. Or Kentucky's Will Levis. Or Florida's Anthony Richardson. That narrows it down, right?
The final tally among this group: Stroud is the pick in 6, Levis in 4 and Richardson in 2.
Adam Caplan, Pro Football Network: Stroud
While there’s some steam for Will Levis here from some personnel sources I spoke to this week, C.J. Stroud is the safest of the two, and it’s hard to find a legit knock on him, from talking to various coaches and executives.
Daniel Jeremiah, NFL.com: Levis
There’s a lot of smoke connecting Levis to the Colts. They stay patient and get their quarterback.
Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz, USA Today: Stroud
A dream scenario for Chris Ballard, who once looked to be in an inauspicious spot as Indianapolis finally saw the light on the need to draft a quarterback. Stroud can step in as an efficient distributor from Day 1 while leaning on Jonathan Taylor and a solid supporting cast as he learns to deal with NFL pressure. And Stroud might have expected earlier in the pre-draft process to be a lock for a top-two selection, landing with Shane Steichen could be a significant boon for his long-term development given the new coach's history of bringing along young signal-callers.
Pro Football Focus: Levis
With the Titans trading up ahead of Indianapolis for the third pick, the Colts are left with either taking a risk on Levis or entering 2023 with Gardner Minshew as their starter. While Levis isn't a finished product, he provides a lot of upside for a franchise that hasn't had a consistent starter since Andrew Luck retired.
Peter Schrager, NFL.com: Levis
I've been told this is by no means a unanimous slam-dunk pick for Indy, but that there are plenty of Levis fans in the building. Enough that they hand in the card and get started with a new era of Colts football.
Chris Trapasso, CBS Sports: Richardson
Colts trade up one spot for this pick
The owner I believe in the most to make sure he gets the quarterback his team wants is Jim Irsay. While only a minor move, it ensures head coach Shane Steichen gets a big, hyper-athletic, high-upside passer in his offense.
Danny Kelly, The Ringer: Richardson
The Colts have one hell of a tough decision to make with both C.J. Stroud and Anthony Richardson on the board, but Indy opts for the upside Richardson brings here. The former Florida star is raw, with just 13 starts to his name, but if Indianapolis can develop him, he’ll bring the game-breaking skill set to help the Colts hang in a conference that figures to be dominated by the likes of Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, Joe Burrow, Justin Herbert, and Trevor Lawrence, among others, over the next decade.
Albert Breer, Sports Illustrated: Stroud
Stroud is the best fit for Shane Steichen’s offense. I’ve heard assistant GM Ed Dodds, who has juice in that building, really likes him. But, as I’ve also heard it, GM Chris Ballard puts stock in the S2 test, which could be an issue for Stroud. Ballard was all over Will Levis in the fall, and I don’t think Indy has the issue with his personality that other teams do. Then, there’s how the developmental template used on Jalen Hurts (whom Steichen coached in Philadelphia) could work wonders for Anthony Richardson. And even the little tell in the workout with BYU’s Jaren Hall being tucked in with all the others when the Colts were traveling around to see these guys (which could be for the scenario in which the Colts go with a non-QB at No. 4). So I’m holding my breath here and going with Stroud.
Sam Farmer, Los Angeles Times: Stroud
Maybe the talented Stroud will go against the trend of Ohio State quarterbacks struggling in the pros.
Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune: Stroud
GM Chris Ballard has tried to address the quarterback position through the trade market and it hasn’t worked. I believe it would be a mistake to pass on Stroud here. He’s the most accurate thrower and has the highest floor in this draft class. How he develops as a creator when the pocket inevitably breaks down will determine his ceiling.
Jimmy Kempski, Philly Voice: Stroud
If the Texans take Stroud, the Colts take Levis. If the Texans take Levis, the Colts take Stroud, like they do here.
Mel Kiper Jr., ESPN: Levis
I'll stick with this match once again. The Colts have an offensive core to help Levis succeed. He's going to make some mistakes, but he has experience playing in a pro-style offense and is ahead of the curve in going through progressions and reading defenses.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: NFL Draft: Colts select C.J. Stroud, Will Levis, Anthony Richardson
