Welcome to the latest FPC Colts mock draft. In this edition, the Colts trade down with the arch-rival New England Patriots.

TRADE

Colts Receive R1P23, R1P31, R2P43, R3P95, 2019 R1

Patriots Receive R1P6, R4P100

The Patriots move up here to grab a franchise quarterback. Tom Brady can’t play forever, so grabbing his successor makes sense. The Patriots would have to give up an exorbitant amount to move up that many spots, akin to the RGIII trade. Chris Ballard should be more than willing to trade down for three firsts and a second. There is nothing indicating that this trade would happen but you never know with Bill Belichick.

DISCLAIMER

For everyone that says that “X team wouldn’t do that because they are rumored to do something else,” think about this. Why would any NFL team openly disclose its draft plans to the public? This trade is just a thought. And for the picks, it’s impossible to get any right anyways. This is just my take. I tried to make this as realistic as possible. Now, let’s get into the mock.

Round One, Pick 22: Rashaan Evans, LB, Alabama

For me, this trade hinges on the Colts being able to land one player: Rashaan Evans. The Colts are in desperate need of a linebacker and not in a good position to take one. Six is too early; if they traded down to 12 Roquan Smith or Tremaine Edmunds is likely gone. I am not high on Leighton Vander Esch, so Evans is the pick.

Evans is a fiercely athletic linebacker with great speed and range. He is a great tackler, covers sideline to sideline, and gets through trash and disengages from blocks well. He is a good blitzer and has solid instincts and cover ability. The Colts are in desperate need of linebacker help. Outside of the first round, there aren’t many great options at linebacker. Evans slots in as a day one starter in the Colts 4-3 defense as a WILL or MIKE linebacker. Evans has the chance to be a future Pro-Bowler and a game changer for the Colts defense.

Round One, Pick 31: Will Hernandez, G, UTEP

The Colts fill a massive need at guard with the massive Will Hernandez. They resigned Jack Mewhort but nobody is sure if he will stay healthy. Even then, the Colts have a massive hole at the other guard spot. Hernandez is a mauling run blocker with upside as a pass blocker. He slots in early at the right guard spot and improves the Colts’ run game immediately. Guard might not be the biggest need on the Colts’ board but Hernandez’s value here at the back end of the first is too good to pass on,

Round Two, Pick 36: Sony Michel, RB, Georgia

Sony Michel is an electric running back, with great speed, vision, and elusiveness. He is built well and is fairly physical and tough for being a speed back primarily. His great burst, acceleration, and punch will allow him to make an impact right away. Michel is also a good pass blocker which will allow him to play on third down. Frank Reich could elect to use a running back by committee approach like in Philadelphia. Marlon Mack and Sony Michel spelling each other could be a nightmare for opposing defenses to contain.

Round Two, Pick 37: Courtland Sutton, WR, SMU

Sutton is a physical, big-bodied wide receiver with good speed and hands. He is a great possession receiver with big-play potential but his route-running is sub-par. The Colts are thin at receiver. Outside of T.Y Hilton, they lack big time talent. The big and strong Sutton would be a perfect compliment to the quick and shifty Hilton.

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Round Two, Pick 43: Isaiah Oliver, CB, Colorado

Oliver is a cornerback with elite length, making him a nightmare in press man coverage. He is athletic, tall, and fast making him a great outside corner. He plays physically and his game is very technically nuanced and mature for his age. The Colts are very thin at corner. Quincy Wilson has shown flashes but is not a sure thing; Nate Hairston is more of a nickel. Isaiah Oliver steps in and starts day one alongside Wilson. Oliver’s ability to take a receiver out of a game makes up for the departure of Rashaan Melvin.

Round Two, Pick 49: Tim Settle, DT, Virginia Tech

After cutting Johnathan Hankins, the Colts are looking for big, strong, fast, and athletic players on the defensive line. Tim Settle fits that bill perfectly. His speed and quickness for his size give him the potential to be a menace in run and pass defense as a 4-3 three-tech. The Colts have a massive hole at defensive tackle; Settle is a player who may not start immediately but could make a big impact in the future.

Round Three, Pick 67: Dorance Armstrong Jr., EDGE, Kansas

The Colts are looking for a pure pass rushing EDGE after switching to the 4-3. The Colts miss out on Chubb and Landry in this class and get their man in the early third. Armstrong is a very quick rusher with great pass rush moves and an improving run defender. His sack numbers dipped in 2017 but that is partly because Kansas switched from a 4-3 to a 3-4 defense. Playing as a 4-3 defensive end on the Colts, Armstrong could be a big-time sack guy in the future.

Round Three, Pick 95: Josh Sweat, EDGE, Florida State

You can never have too many defensive linemen. Look at teams like Philadelphia and Seattle. Defensive line depth wins. Sweat is a good athlete with potential to be a great pass rusher and a serviceable run defender at worst. Sweat would be a rotational defensive end for the Colts, adding to their increasingly deep defensive line.

Round Five, Pick 131: D’Montre Wade, CB, Murray State

D’Montre Wade is a small school corner with desired size, speed, and ball skills to play corner at the next level. The Colts need depth and starters at the cornerback position. Wade is good depth right away and has the upside to start at outside corner if need be.

Round Six, Pick 164: Dylan Cantrell, WR, Texas Tech

The Colts add another receiver late with this pick. Cantrell is a big and fast receiver with upside as a route runner. A receiver room of Hilton, Sutton, Cantrell, Chester Rogers, and Ryan Grant will certainly make Andrew Luck happy.

Round Seven, Pick 195: Cole Reyes, S, North Dakota

The Colts grab a friend of the site here. Reyes is a ball-hawking physical with great tackling and physicality. Reyes adds depth to a growing secondary.

Ben Pfeifer is the Managing Editor of the Colts for Full Press Coverage, the AFC South Division Editor, and head NBA editor. Want to continue the discussion? Contact Ben Pfeifer on Twitter @Ben_Pfeifer_, @FPC_NBA and @FPC_Colts.