Between now and the draft, there will be many analysts making projections with many mock drafts.
With the Indianapolis Colts offseason in full swing, many have given their take on who the Colt’s will take with their first-round pick.
For the Colt’s, analysts usually project the Colt’s to draft a quarterback, defensive tackle, or wide receiver.
ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. recently released his second mock draft of the season and gave his pick for the Colts.
He has the Colt’s picking South Carolina DT Javon Kinlaw.
Here’s what Kiper Jr. said about the projection:
The Colts, a surprise playoff team in 2018, took a step backward last season, but it wasn’t just on the offense. No, Jacoby Brissett wasn’t Andrew Luck, but injuries decimated Brissett’s receiving core. And injuries hurt the defense too, with Darius Leonard, Kenny Moore II, Malik Hooker and Jabaal Sheard among the starters who missed time. The result was a league-average unit overall but one that allowed quarterbacks to complete 70.1% of their passes, which ranked 31st in the league. This defense needs depth. The Colts could target a corner here, but this might be Kinlaw’s floor, and he’ll help the back end of the defense, too. A massive, 6-6 interior penetrator, Kinlaw was one of the best prospects in the Senior Bowl.
If the Colt’s did draft Kinlaw, it would certainly fill a need and he would be a very high-upside selection.
The Colt’s are looking for a game-changer in their defensive interior front and Kinlaw could be a perfect fit.
oh my god, javon kinlaw pic.twitter.com/O5K389DdOd
— Austin Gayle (@PFF_AustinGayle) January 21, 2020
Terence Steel, Texas Tech vs Anfernee Jennings, Alabama pic.twitter.com/TRAT0EUnEO
— Matt Valdovinos (@MVScouting) January 21, 2020
Kinlaw committed to South Carolina as a 3-star prospect in 2016.
He became a nightmare for opposing offensive lines his sophomore year at South Carolina.
He didn’t start to get the recognition that he deserved until his senior season.
He put himself on the map with NFL scouts with stellar games against Georgia and Alabama.
He had a great season at South Carolina, earning first-team All-American honors and first-team All-SEC.
At 6-foot-6 and 310 pounds, he is more athletic than most at that size. He is also extremely strong.
He had 35 tackles, six sacks, two passes defended and two fumble recoveries in his final season.
Once Kinlaw arrived at the Senior bowl, it didn’t take long for him to make an impression for being a first-round pick.
Entering the NFL, Kinlaw says he has a lot to prove at the next level:
“I have everything to prove. I treat myself like I’m that guy still at the bottom,” he said. “I set my goals so high this season and I feel like I didn’t accomplish any of them. That’s just how I am. I am looking forward to going out and getting something done. I wanted to have 15 sacks [in 2019]. I didn’t even get close.”
.However, given the Colt’s question mark at quarterback, they would then have to wait until later rounds to address the position assuming they don’t sign anyone in free agency.
While there will be plenty of changes in the next few months before the draft, Kinlaw is definitely a prospect the keep an eye on at No. 13 for the Colts.
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