Final Colts 2024 NFL mock draft roundup: Experts predicting trades (2024)

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John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

Mock: Eric Galko – CBS Sports

TRADE: Colts make a trade, moving up to pick No. 9 with the Bears, giving up picks 15, 46, and their 2025 third-round pick.

Breakdown: The Bears do feel like a prime trade down candidate at ninth overall, considering that they have only four picks in total. Nabers would, of course, be an excellent addition and bring that needed juice to the Colts offense. He can win in a variety of ways and do so at all levels of the field. With that said, I’m still skeptical that we see Chris Ballard trade up. Recently, I detailed why the Colts would actually trade down.

Dec 2, 2023; Atlanta, GA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Dallas Turner (15) celebrates after a sack in the second quarter against the Georgia Bulldogs in the SEC Championship at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

Mock: Charles Robinson and Nate Tice – Yahoo! Sports

Pick: Dallas Turner, Edge, Alabama

Breakdown: Turner is considered by many to be a top-10 pick, so we really haven’t seen him available to the Colts at pick 15. After ranking 23rd in pressures last season, the Colts will need to generate more consistent pressure this year if they hope to replicate their sack production. Turner brings size and speed to the position, totaling 55 pressures and 11 sacks in 2023.

Mar 1, 2024; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Toledo defensive back Quinyon Mitchell (DB27) works out during the 2024 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Mock: Ari Meirov – 33rd Team

Pick: Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo

Breakdown: For what it’s worth, Meirov mentioned in his mock that these predictions are based on what individuals around the NFL believe will happen. If available at pick 15, Mitchell makes all the sense in the world for the Colts. He’s an elite athlete, can play man or zone, is physical, and has had excellent ball production–which the Colts need more of.

Nov 11, 2023; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; Duke Blue Devils offensive lineman Graham Barton (62) before the game at Kenan Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

Mock: RJ White – CBS Sports

TRADE: The Colts move down to pick 25 in a trade with the Packers. In return for the 15th overall pick, the Colts get picks 25 and 58, giving them two second-round picks.

Breakdown: Barton has the ability to play all five positions, which is incredibly valuable. He feels like one of those rare high-floor, high-ceiling prospects. Finding a spot for him on the 2024 offensive line could be tricky, but as White notes in his mock draft, this move is about the future, with Ryan Kelly and Will Fries set to be free agents in 2025. Perhaps with an extra second-round pick, Ballard would feel that he has more flexibility to address a lesser need.

17. Jacksonville Jaguars – Brian Thomas Jr., WR, LSU

Mock: Ben Solak – The Ringer

Pick: Brian Thomas Jr., WR, LSU

Breakdown: Thomas is just an excellent fit for the Colts offense and what they want to do under Shane Steichen, pushing the ball downfield. Thomas averaged over 17 yards per catch in 2023, and when a team has a vertical presence, that player opens up opportunities for his teammates over the middle and underneath with his gravity.

Oct 28, 2023; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack linebacker Payton Wilson (11) celebrates after scoring a touchdown on an interception during the second half against the Clemson Tigers at Carter-Finley Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports

Mock: PFF

TRADE: The Colts move down to pick 29 and acquire from the Lions picks 29, 61, and a 2025 third-round pick, along with also giving up pick 117 in addition to pick 15.

Breakdown: Talk about going off-script. A linebacker in the first round? I will say, linebacker could be veiwed as a sneaky need with a bunch of question marks behind EJ Speed and Zaire Franklin, along with Speed being a free agent in 2025, but in the first round? Wilson is a very good athlete and is at his best in coverage.

Joshua L. Jones/USA TODAY NETWORK

Mock: Eric Edholm – NFL.com

Pick: Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia

Breakdown: If Bowers gets to pick 15, I’m not sure Ballard would be able to pass on selecting him. According to ESPN analytics, those odds of Bowers getting to that point are relatively low. Bowers would immediately provide Anthony Richardson with another reliable target and was excellent at picking up yards after the catch. A move tight end with Bowers’ abilities could help further open up the playbook for Shane Steichen.

Jan 1, 2024; Pasadena, CA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Terrion Arnold (3) celebrates after an incomplete pass during the first half against the Michigan Wolverines in the 2024 Rose Bowl college football playoff semifinal game at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

Mock: Jeff Risdon – Draft Wire

Pick: Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama

Breakdown: As I was going through these mock drafts, I began thinking, where is Terrion Arnold? ESPN analytics has him as the most likely player to be selected at 15th overall. Arnold held opponents to a completion rate of just over 50 percent and under 11.0 yards per catch with very good ball production.

Dec 2, 2023; Detroit, MI, USA; Toledo Rockets cornerback Quinyon Mitchell (27) breaks up a pass intended for Miami (OH) Redhawks wide receiver Gage Larvadain (10) in the third quarter at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-USA TODAY Sports

Tom Fornelli – CBS Sports: Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo

Tyler Sullivan – CBS Sports: Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo

Curt Popejoy – Steelers Wire: Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama

SI Fan Nation: Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia

Chris Simms – NBC Sports: Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia

Nick Wright – Fox Sports: Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo