NFL Draft News & Analysis

Indianapolis Colts 7-round mock draft: Colts open their draft with Cooper DeJean

2RYFDDX Iowa defensive back Cooper DeJean (3) returns a punt 70-yards for a touchdown during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Michigan State, Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023, in Iowa City, Iowa. Iowa won 26-16. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

• Cooper DeJean brings high-level secondary play to Indy: At 6-foot-1 and 205 pounds, he checks the size boxes for the position and brings top-tier natural athleticism.

• Roman Wilson joins the Colts in Round 2: The Michigan wideout possesses good strength as a receiver and a blocker. He's not as agile as he is explosive but still projects well in a slot role for a vertical passing attack.

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As the 2024 NFL Draft nears, our seven-round team mock draft series continues with the Indianapolis Colts.

Round 1, Pick 15: CB Cooper DeJean, Iowa

DeJean played mostly outside cornerback for Iowa over the past two years. At 6-foot-1 and 205 pounds, he checks the size boxes for the position and brings top-tier natural athleticism. His footwork is quick and controlled, his backpedal and shuffling are smooth, his stop-and-start speed is good for his size and his ball skills are elite. Wrap all that with a bow of high football IQ and instincts. He doesn't have much experience in press coverage but can succeed in that role. DeJean is likely the best run-defending cornerback in the class. There aren't many holes, if any, in his game.


Round 2, Pick 46: WR Roman Wilson, Michigan

Wilson was born with speed in his DNA. His mother was a track star in high school, setting school and state records. Wilson himself ran a 4.37-second 40-yard dash in high school. So, it goes without saying he is one of the class' fastest receivers. Before he became a full-time starter, Michigan used him to stretch the field. He earned a receiver threat rate of over 20% in three consecutive seasons. Defenses have to pay attention to him when he is on the field. Despite his small size, he brings good strength as a receiver and a blocker. He's not as agile as he is explosive but still projects well in a slot role for a vertical passing attack.


Round 3, Pick 82: S Dadrion Taylor-Demerson, Texas Tech

Taylor-Demerson is a high-football-IQ type of free safety who calculates space and timing well on the back end. He can bait quarterbacks into throws and cut off vertical routes with good anticipation. He has adequate speed for pursuit angles, but his good long speed is more build-up speed. There is a lack of suddenness with changing direction, which is a concern. He plays with a lot of control, but that sometimes comes off as playing slower than what will be required in the pros. He can be a reliable tackle but slows down for tackles, opting not to take chances to miss, which sometimes leads to a lack of physicality.


Round 4, Pick 117: C Hunter Nourzad, Penn State

Nourzard is a versatile center prospect who shows the movement skills and football intelligence to play in a variety of NFL offenses. His base is both wide and loaded, which allows him to play with good pad level while also allowing him to fire off the ball quickly. His wide base also allows him to anchor well. His hand placement is consistently inside and effective in locking defenders up. He doesn't really pack a punch at contact, even on combination blocks, and when it comes to stunts, he has a tough time adjusting to/anticipating the speed of looping defenders.


Round 5, Pick 151: TE Dallin Holker, Colorado State

Holker will be one of the older prospects in the class. He started his football career at BYU and transferred to Colorado State in 2023. Though smaller for the position, listed at 6-foot-4 and 235 pounds, he is a well-rounded athlete. He has a good first step and decent build-up speed to be a consistent vertical threat, especially over the middle. He displays strong hands for making contested catches over the middle. He isn't a twitched-up athlete, so his routes are very rounded, which affects his separation potential. While he is a patient and fundamentally sound blocker, his lack of weight shows up against bigger front-seven players.


Round 6, Pick 191: RB Kimani Vidal, Troy

Vidal is a rocked-up, explosive athlete, but his vision for space needs to speed up for him to earn a rotational role in the NFL.


Round 7, Pick 234: T Nathan Thomas, Louisiana

If you keep things in a phone booth, Thomas has the power profile to make the roster as a depth offensive tackle in a man/gap offense.

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