The Indianapolis Colts got their short-term answer at quarterback, but does their final 2022 NFL Mock Draft give any hope for the future at the position? Those answers and several more names to know ahead of the 2022 NFL Draft for Colts fans lie below. Let’s jump right in.
Indianapolis Colts 2022 7-Round Mock Draft
Here are projections of every pick the Indianapolis Colts could make within a 7-Round 2022 NFL Mock Draft with the Pro Football Network staff as the general manager. This is what we would do with the picks after the board shook out while doing a full 7-round, 32-team mock draft.
Round 2, Pick 42 (from WAS): Carson Strong, QB, Nevada
Fittingly, the Indianapolis Colts grab their quarterback of the future with the pick they acquired for Carson Wentz. With Matt Ryan penciled in to start the next two seasons, grabbing Carson Strong to sit behind him and eventually take over is an ideal scenario. Strong may need offseason surgery to finally repair an old injury, and the acquisition of Ryan this offseason makes this even more explorable.
Other players in consideration: Desmond Ridder, QB, Cincinnati; Bernhard Raimann, OT, Central Michigan
Round 3, Pick 73 (from WAS): Sean Rhyan, OT/G, UCLA
The Colts made a splash by drafting Matt Ryan’s eventual replacement in Round 2. They go with a safer option in Round 3 by grabbing Sean Rhyan. The former UCLA lineman can play various positions on the line, most notably being a good fit to kick inside after playing tackle with the Bruins. He’s a big man with a strong base that should stand the test against bigger interior defenders in the NFL.
Other players in consideration: Brandon Smith, LB, Penn State; Myjai Sanders, EDGE, Cincinnati
Round 4, Pick 110 (mock trade from NYG via BAL): Max Mitchell, OT, Louisiana
Mock Trade: The Colts sent pick Nos. 122 and 159 in 2022 and a 2023 seventh-round pick in exchange for pick No. 110 in 2022 and a 2023 sixth-round pick from the Ravens.
The Colts send a few picks to the Ravens to move up 12 spots here. Indianapolis moves up to grab Max Mitchell from Louisiana. The tenacious run blocker dominated in the Louisiana rushing attack throughout his four-year career. He also greatly improves the Colts’ roster that is missing a stalwart in pass protection on the left side.
It may take him the offseason to reacclimate to the left side after he switched to protect the blind side for left-handed quarterback Levi Lewis over the past two seasons. Still, Mitchell should absolutely be considered one of the better value picks at this stage of the draft.
Other players in consideration: None; Max Mitchell was the only reason to trade up
Round 5, Pick 179 (compensatory selection): Micheal Clemons, EDGE, Texas A&M
Texas A&M’s defensive MVP award from a season ago heads to the Colts here as Micheal Clemons joins the team. Clemons can play a multitude of positions for Indianapolis but represents an uptick in pass-rush productivity immediately. He’s a massive man on the outside and is terrific with his hand in the dirt, getting upfield quickly despite standing well over 6’5″.
Other players in consideration: DeAngelo Malone, EDGE, Western Kentucky; Tre Williams, EDGE, Arkansas
Round 6, Pick 216 (compensatory selection): Dontario Drummond, WR, Ole Miss
Stretching the field is the name of Dontario Drummond’s game, as he makes passing attacks better with his ability from the slot. Despite lining up on the inside through the majority of his time at Ole Miss, Drummond has the capacity to win at every level of the field. He has great separation ability and better hands at the catch point.
Other players in consideration: Kevin Austin Jr., WR, Notre Dame; Corey Sutton, WR, Appalachian State
Round 7, Pick 239: Tre Sterling, S, Oklahoma State
The Colts’ secondary is on an upward trend with the acquisition of Stephon Gilmore. They grab Tre Sterling here, as the Cowboys’ safety didn’t quite finish his career on the highest of notes. Still, his previous two seasons of heavy action at Oklahoma State were terrific, as he’s a three-down safety with great ball skills in man or zone coverage.
Other players in consideration: Kolby Harvell-Peel, S, Oklahoma State; Brandon Sebastian, CB, Boston College