Colts address strongest needs in Mel Kiper new NFL mock draft

Kevin Hickey

Colts address strongest needs in Mel Kiper new NFL mock draft image

The Indianapolis Colts have several ways they can go about the early rounds of the 2024 NFL Draft and in Mel Kiper's latest mock, they addressed their biggest needs with their first two picks.

With their biggest needs on either side of the ball coming at cornerback and wide receiver, that's the exact order Kiper had the Colts making their selections. In doing so, they added some intriguing talent.

For more Colts coverage, check out Kevin Hickey's work on Sporting News.

Colts address strongest needs in new NFL mock draft

With the No. 15 pick in this mock draft, the Colts added some premier talent to the cornerback position.

Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama

This is an easy match, right? Cornerback is the Colts' biggest need, and Arnold is my second-ranked corner. He had five interceptions last season as he developed into the Crimson Tide's top defensive back. He played a ton of press coverage in college, so he understands angles and knows how to knock receivers off their routes. He would have a chance to be Indianapolis' top CB as a rookie.

Arnold is a fantastic fit for Gus Bradley's defense and even though the cornerback room would be young, he's an ideal complement to Julius Brents on the outside.

TRACKER: Colts NFL draft prospect visit tracker

Coming back around at No. 46 overall in the second round of this mock draft, the Colts added a deep threat to the wide receiver room who had a nose for the endzone.

Troy Franklin, WR, Oregon

I thought about an edge rusher for Indianapolis, but there's value in taking a second-round receiver based on the depth of the class. General manager Chris Ballard has used Day 2 picks on wideouts in each of these past two drafts (Josh Downs, Alec Pierce), but the Colts don't have a press-coverage beater like Franklin, who had 23 touchdown catches in his final two seasons at Oregon.

Franklin is a true deep threat option for the Colts, and he would compete with Alec Pierce for the Z-receiver spot opposite Michael Pittman Jr., giving Indy a strong vertical threat to pair with the development of Anthony Richardson.

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Kevin Hickey

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Hickey was previously the managing editor of USA Today's Colts Wire. His work is also featured as a fantasy football analyst for The Huddle. A career .232 hitter, he is an avid reader of Spider-Man comics, an admirer of the James Webb Space Telescope, and a keen enthusiast of Ma’s sauce. You can find him on Twitter/X @KevinHickey11