INDIANAPOLIS – Even without a first-round pick, the Colts still enter the month of April with a massive draft ahead of them.
Without a pick in the first round (Thursday, April 28th), the Colts will have a pick in Round 2-42 and Round 3-73 (Friday, August 29th).
As we do annually, we’ve started to compile Mock Drafts from the pundits with what they are thinking for the Colts at No. 42 overall.
Here is first Mock Draft look for 2022:
ESPN’s Todd McShay: Pick No. 42: WR-George Pickens (Georgia)
McShay’s Analysis: The Colts don’t have a first-rounder, but Pickens has first-round traits. A torn ACL last March pushed him into the Day 2 conversation, which means this could be a steal for Indy. He is really good at getting off press coverage, and his ability to track the deep ball might be his best skill.
Pro Football Network’s Oliver Hodgkinson: Pick No. 42: OT-Bernhard Raimann (Central Michigan)
CBS Sports’ Josh Edwards: Pick No. 42: WR-Skyy Moore (Western Michigan)
Pro Football Focus’ Anthony Treash: Pick No. 42: OT-Trevor Penning (Northern Iowa)
Treash’s Analysis: Colts fans will like that Penning’s player comparison in the PFF Draft Guide is their former long-time starting left tackle, Anthony Castonzo. The Northern Iowa product is a high-level athlete at 6-foot-7, 325 pounds and plays with a killer mindset — so much so that he might need to tone it down a bit. While he did rack up 33 big-time blocks against lesser competition in 2021, he also drew 16 penalties. Pairing that playstyle right next to Quenton Nelson would be menacing.
The Athletic’s Dane Brugler: Pick No. 42: QB-Sam Howell (North Carolina)
NFL.com’s Chad Reuter: Pick No. 42: OT-Bernhard Raiman (Central Michigan)
Totals:
OT-Bernhard Raimann (2)
QB-Sam Howell
OT-Trevor Penning
WR-George Pickens
WR-Skyy Moore
Bowen’s Analysis: Well, I think Colts fans would be very pleased with an offensive selection at pick No. 42. Of course, you see a combination of short-term and long-term attention going with these selections. The pick of Howell would be the first time the Colts have chosen a QB in the first three rounds of a draft since 2012. It wouldn’t be a win-now move, but it would appease the opportunity to spend an invested pick at the most important position in sports, giving Frank Reich and Matt Ryan some time to help that QB feel comfortable in NFL life before playing time arrives. Offensive tackle, without question, is a huge need for the Colts. Some could argue that’s true here in the short-term (depending on how you view Matt Pryor at LT), and the long-term. Selecting a tackle would mean the Colts view that player as a definite starter at some point, but it would also improve the OL depth in the immediacy. Moore is an explosive wideout who had nearly 1,300 receiving yards last year. A game-breaking speedy wideout appears to be what the Colts are seeking out with a lingering need there. On the flip side, Pickens is more of a bigger body option. When healthy, Pickens offers tantalizing talent. Would the injury history with Parris Campbell weigh on the Colts selecting Pickens?
