INDIANAPOLIS -- ESPN’s Mel Kiper released his NFL mock draft on Thursday. It is the first of what will be many Kiper mocks between now and the actual draft in April.

Also on Thursday, I explored the question of whether the Indianapolis Colts should take a pass-rusher (North Carolina State’s Bradley Chubb) or a running back (Penn State’s Saquon Barkley) with the No. 3 overall pick. Kiper would opt for Chubb, and on Thursday afternoon he held a conference call on which he explained why he had the Colts taking Chubb despite Barkley being ranked higher on the draft big board.

2018 NFL DRAFT Round 1: Thursday, 8 p.m., ESPN/ESPN App

Rounds 2-3: Friday, 7 p.m., ESPN/ESPN App

Rounds 4-7: Sat., noon, ESPN/ABC/ESPN App

Where: Arlington, Texas

NFL draft coverage » | Full order: 1-256 » • Kiper's final Mock Draft: 1-32 »

• McShay's final Mock Draft: 1-32 »

• Kiper and McShay's draft reset »

• Draft predictions for all 32 teams »

• Draft Herbies: Kirk's best of the best »

• McShay's draft buzz: What I'm hearing »

• McShay's top five needs for every team »

“You could make the argument [Chubb] is the best player in the draft," Kiper said. “He’s not that far off from being the No. 1 guy in the draft. He had two great years back-to-back. He’s got a great attitude, great approach. He’s not the elite talent that [2017 No. 1 overall draft pick] Myles Garrett is, but he’s more consistent and more on a daily basis gave you everything he had against the run and the pass. He chased down plays. He’s not Myles Garrett, but he’s close enough to say, ‘Hey, he could be the No. 1 player on anybody’s board.'"

Kiper thinks the Colts can find a running back later in the draft. Veteran Frank Gore is a free agent, Marlon Mack finished up his rookie season by rushing for 358 yards and adding another 225 receiving yards and veteran Robert Turbin will be back after missing the final 10 games with an elbow injury.

Now back to Chubb.

As I noted Thursday, the Colts desperately need a pass-rusher who will cause opposing quarterbacks to point out where he’s lined up. Chubb had 54.5 tackles for a loss and 25 sacks during his final three seasons at North Carolina State. He’s exactly the type of player the Colts need on a defense that registered only 25 sacks last season.

“First of all, he has a real good takeoff,” Kiper said. “He has strong hands. He has really good feet technique -- rip, swim move, everything with him. He chases. He goes through double-teams. He gets coverage sacks. He hustles; he never quits. He practices hard and sets the tone for the rest of the team. Great character.”