Colts Midseason Mock Draft

While the 2024 Colts fight for a playoff spot, it is also important to look to the future for more reinforcements as they try to take the next step in 2025.

The Colts are currently at 5-6 and are ranked 8th in the AFC, just a game outside of the projected playoff picture from the Denver Broncos. As of this week, they are projected to pick at 15th overall in Round 1, the same spot they were in the year prior.

What can the Colts do to finally move up the NFL totem poll, get into the playoffs, and take the next step to try to assemble an eventual contender? Outside of the obvious “Anthony Richardson develops to reach his Superstar potential”, it is to finish rounding out the roster with more depth & talent by addressing various needs. Those needs are (in no particular order):

• Starting Tight End: dynamic playmaker who can impact the game as a receiving weapon and as a blocker in the run game. Both Granson and Alie-Cox are Free Agents, leaving Ogletree, Mallory, and Woods coming off of 2 injury plagued seasons.
• Free Safety: especially if starter Julian Blackmon leaves in Free Agency.
• Coverage Linebacker: Biggest weakness of starters Franklin and Speed as well as depth LBs outside of Carlies, who has dealt with injury.
• Boundary Cornerback: either a true shutdown CB1 or depth in case of injury.
• Running Back: Injury insurance for Jonathan Taylor, can be a change of pace to give Taylor a breather and can pass protect on 3rd Downs.
• Defensive Tackle Depth: Both Buckner and Stewart are on the wrong side of 30, depth questionable in event of either absence as shown in 2023 for Stewart (suspension) and 2024 for Buckner (injury).
• Offensive Line Depth: The Colts have taken at least 1 Offensive Lineman in every single draft under Chris Ballard. With starters Center Ryan Kelly and Right Guard Will Fries set to hit Free Agency and not guaranteed to return as well as injuries to starting Tackles Bernhard Raimann and Braden Smith at various points in 2024, almost any spot could be addressed with further competition and depth.
• Backup QB: Joe Flacco’s 1 year deal will expire, leaving the Colts QB room with Anthony Richardson and Sam Ehlinger. Most likely will addressed with another veteran QB signing for stability in case Richardson gets injured.

With the Colts currently having all 7 of their assigned draft picks, lets see how they could go about addressing some of those needs.

Round 1, Pick 15 | Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan

The Colts offense is already littered with talented passing weapons to play alongside Richardson himself. Michael Pittman Jr. when healthy has been an effective WR1, Josh Downs is a highly efficient slot WR who is rapidly emerging. Alec Pierce is one of the more dangerous deep threats in the NFL and has huge explosive potential with Richardson’s arm. AD Mitchell has been a fantastic...