Indianapolis Colts 7-Round Mock Draft 2023

With the 2023 NFL Draft right around the corner, we have created a collaborative and final Indianapolis Colts 7-round mock draft. This draft is brought to you by myself (Noah) and my fellow DTF Colts writer Wilfredo Pocholo De La Rosa (Poch). We addressed multiple team needs while trying to do our best Chris Ballard impressions.

Indianapolis Colts 7-Round Mock Draft

4. Anthony Richardson, QB, Florida: 

Poch – Things have been quiet on the Lamar Jackson side of things for the Colts lately. With barely two weeks to go before the 2023 NFL Draft, it seems the Colts will do something they haven’t done in eleven years – draft a rookie quarterback in the first round. 

Many draft boards are predicting the Carolina Panthers and Houston Texans – two quarterback-needy squads – will draft C.J. Stroud and Bryce Young with the first two overall picks. Either way, it’s a long shot Stroud or Young becomes the next Colts franchise quarterback.

Enter former Florida Gators signal caller Anthony Richardson. 

Richardson’s off-the-charts athleticism (his 40.5-inch vertical leap at the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine set a new record for rookie QBs), shiftiness in the pocket, and rifle of an arm make him one of the can’t-miss quarterback prospects in the draft. 

Richardson enjoyed a breakout redshirt sophomore season at Florida, where he threw 2,549 passing yards and 17 touchdowns. However, the big question now looms: can he excel in the NFL ranks after just one breakout season in college football? Plus, his 54.7 completion percentage is a concern for new Colts head coach Shane Steichen. If Richardson exceeds lofty expectations, his exciting style of play should make Colts fans forget Lamar Jackson once and for all. 

Better yet, Richardson should end Indy’s maddening quarterback carousel that began after Andrew Luck – the most recent quarterback the Colts drafted in the first round – retired abruptly in the summer of 2019.

*Trade* Colts Recieve: 53rd Overall, 61st Overall, 148th Overall. Bears Recieve: 35th Overall + Kenny Moore II 

53. Julius Brents, CB, Kansas State:

Noah – In this scenario, the Colts and Chris Ballard did see a path to two high-value late second-round picks. The departure of Kenny Moore III is uneasy for Colts fans, but the writing has been on the wall for a while now. Matt Eberflus gets his guy to help lead his defense, and the Colts get a shot to stack up at positions of need.

Cornerback is one of the biggest needs, especially after this hypothetical Moore trade, and Julius Brents fits the Colts in more ways than one. He’s got the size that Ballard loves, standing at 6’3″ and 198 pounds. His 34-inch arm length is notable as well. His speed and agility testing went well and cemented his hyped physical ability.

Brents has the size and physicality to give receivers problems in press coverage, while his athleticism and active eyes allow him to excel in cover three drops, a key part of Gus Bradley’s scheme. Brents isn’t afraid to mix it up in the run game and is a capable run-stopper, something else Ballard loves.

The cherry on top of this CB sundae is that Brents was born and raised in the Indianapolis area. The Warren Central product would have an incredible homecoming if the Colts made that decision.

61. Joe Tippmann, C/G, Wisconsin:

Noah – Joe Tippmann checks so many of the same boxes as Brents. He’s a huge athletic freak (6’6″, 313 pounds, 4.90 40-yard dash). IOL is a big need for the Colts. He is also an Indiana native, born in Fort Wayne. On paper, Tippmann is a no-brainer if the Colts can maneuver themselves into a position to select him.

Tippmann shines on film as well as on the stat sheet. He shines exceptionally bright when out in space or moving along the offensive line. Wisconsin loved using him as the puller on pin-pull runs, and Tippmann loved to crack defenders on the pull. Tippmann was an absolute terror for any undersized DB when he got out ahead of a ball carrier.

Tippmann fits the mold of athletic high-skilled linemen that Ballard loves (Quenton Nelson, Braden Smith, Ryan Kelly). He could play RG or C if the Colts were to go back on their word of keeping Kelly. Tippmann would be an excellent fit and an exciting prospect to watch develop.

79. Garrett Williams, CB, Syracuse: 

Poch – The Colts needed some depth at the cornerback spot prior to trading Stephon Gilmore to the Dallas Cowboys on March 14. Now that Gilmore is gone, that need becomes more glaring. As of this writing, Isaiah Rogers Sr. and Kenny Moore III are the only big-name cornerbacks on the roster —and if Noah gets his way, only Rogers Sr. will remain.

Indy can shore up its cornerback depth with former Syracuse Orange defensive back Garrett Williams. Some draft boards predict Williams will become a third-round selection. If Williams is still available at No 79, Colts GM Chris Ballard and Co. should snag him.

While Kelee Ringo is a nice fit for Colts defensive backs coach Ron Milus’ system, he will be long gone when Indy picks 79th overall—the 5’10” 192-lb. Williams, who ESPN’s Mel Kiper, Jr. ranks behind cornerback prospects Cam Smith, Julius Brents, and Tyrique Stevenson, should provide the cornerback depth Indy badly needs.

Williams’ explosiveness and quickness are two of his biggest strengths. Some scouts also noted his ability to read the quarterback’s moves and refusal to bite on play fakes. Williams should give other Colts cornerbacks Darrell Baker, Jr., Tony Brown, and Dallas Flowers stiff competition in training camp. 

106. Isaiah McGuire, ED, Missouri:

Noah – The Colts allowed Yannick Ngakoue to test free agency and signed free agent Samson Ebukam, but the team still needs defensive ends. Isaiah McGuire would be a great addition to the room of pass-rushers in Indianapolis. He is a lengthy defender with a lot of athletic upsides. McGuire is a solid edge-setter who would immediately shore up the Colts’ run defense. His pass rush is less polished but is a great base for a productive NFL player.

McGuire will fit in the rotation well with Dayo Odeyingbo and Ebukam and has the potential to flourish into a three-down type of edge defender. He is a high-motor guy with a ton of raw ability, two things Ballard looks for in defenders.

138. Parker Washington, WR, Penn State: 

Poch – The recent departure of Parris Campbell to the New York Giants in free agency is one of the reasons why the Colts need more depth at wide receiver. 

Although the Colts signed former Buffalo Bills wideout Isaiah McKenzie to fill the void Campbell left on March 22, second-year wide receivers coach Reggie Wayne could use some more reliable hands on his roster. Former Penn State Nittany Lions wide receiver Parker Washington could be that guy. 

Scouts have been raving about Washington’s athleticism, sure hands, and ability to pry himself loose from opposing cornerbacks. Plus, if Washington catches the ball in the open field, it’s as good as a touchdown.

On the flip side, Washington needs to work on his route running so he can excel in the NFL ranks. He gives Wayne insurance behind Michael Pittman, Jr. (who’s poised to bounce back from an inconsistent 2022 NFL season), Alec Pierce, Isaiah McKenzie, and Ashton Dulin in the fall. 

148. Ivan Pace, Jr., LB, Cincinnati:

Poch –The departure of Bobby Okereke to the New York Giants means E.J. Speed will take on a bigger role at linebacker in the 2023 NFL campaign.

Speed, who inked a two-year contract extension with the Horseshoe on March 15, said he’s ready to become a focal point in Gus Bradley’s defense next season (via COLTSWIRE’s Kevin Hickey):

I can do a lot. Gus has expressed to me plenty of times he trusts me. I trust him. We had already made plays together as a coach/player last year. Now in this role, I can make more, we can do more, and I’m looking forward to it.

For his part, rookie Ivan Pace, Jr. should provide quality depth at linebacker for the Horseshoe next season.

Pace’s instinct and nose for the ball make him a special type of pass rusher. Some scouts marvel at his patented spin move that allows him to hold off blockers on various pass protection schemes.

The knock on the 5’10”, 231-lb. Pace is his small frame. Although he has his spin move in his arsenal, can he neutralize blockers who outweigh him by at least 50 pounds? If Pace can add some more muscle before the 2023 NFL season kicks off, he can give those blockers a serious run for their money. Moreover, Pace could become a linebacker in the mold of former Colts defensive captain Gary Brackett.

162. Anthony Johnson Jr., S, Iowa State

Noah- The Iowa State product has been sliding down draft boards, most likely due to his poor testing at the NFL Combine, and could be an absolute steal in the later rounds.

Something that may bring Johnson Jr. onto Ballrd’s radar is that he successfully transitioned from CB to S in college. The Colts’ GM scourers the big board to find players who have overcome adversity in one way or another. This position versatility could help Johnson Jr. fit in with the rest of the Colts’ defensive backs.

A big plus of Johnson Jr. is his size; standing at 6’2″ and weighing 205 pounds puts him in the 90th percentile for both measurements. His 32 and 5/8th inch arm length isn’t too shabby either. These measurables give him the physicality to battle with the bigger receivers and lay down some big hits.

An intangible that is being overlooked is Johnson’s high football IQ. He has a unique ability to hand-fight down the field and physically break up passes without drawing flags. This IQ boosts his ability to read both opposing receivers and quarterbacks.

176. Starling Thomas V, CB, UAB

Yes, this is the third cornerback and fourth secondary defender mocked to the Colts in this draft. CB is a huge need, and once again, Moore III is in Chicago in this scenario. Starling Thomas V can become CB depth and a special teams contributor on day one. Thomas V, like Johnson Jr., has also shown toughness when faced with adversity.

Thomas made the shift from WR to CB in college, but his biggest test was his recovery from a torn ACL. Through both of these challenges and plenty more, Thomas V was able to put together an all-conference performance in his final collegiate season.

Thomas is a smaller-sized, uber-athletic CB with a ton of snaps under his belt, who has great eyes that help give him the jump to dislodge passes at a high rate. His combination of speed and anticipation could make him a dangerous CB at the next level.

221. Brodric Martin, DI, WKU:

The Colts like to take some shots on day three. These players need to have a ton of upside but with some issues that keep them on the board. Brodric Martin seems like a prime candidate.

He has some strong flashes on film; he just needs to cut some weight and add power to be a solid rotational nose tackle in the NFL. The Colts have displayed interest in Martin this draft process, as they have hosted him for a Top 30 visit.

The 6’5″ and 330-pound DT could learn from and grow behind Grover Stewart. With an NFL training and nutrition regiment Martin may soon star in the nightmares of opposing QBs.

236. Aubrey Miller Jr., LB, Jackson State:

Miller Jr. doesn’t have the size or strength that pops off the page, but his film shows his ability to make plays and contribute to a good defense. Miller Jr. flies around the field and can pursue ball carriers all game long. His skills can translate into him becoming a top-rate coverage linebacker in the NFL.

If Miller can provide any kind of production for the Colts, he would provide value for the team with the 236th pick.