Expert: Daniel Jeremiah, NFL Network
Date of mock draft: Jan. 19 (link)
Selection: Bradley Chubb, defensive end, North Carolina State
Analysis: "The Colts have several needs to address, but a premier pass rusher is at the top of the list."
**——————————
Expert:** Bucky Brooks, NFL.com
Date of mock draft: Jan. 26 (link)
Selection: Bradley Chubb, defensive end, North Carolina State
Analysis: "Rugged defender with a power-based game that overwhelms blockers on the edge."
——————————Expert: Mel Kiper Jr., ESPN
Date of mock draft: Jan. 18 (link; requires ESPN Insider access)
Selection: Bradley Chubb, defensive end, North Carolina State
Analysis: "Indianapolis is in a good spot to take the best non-quarterback available, and the No. 1 pass-rusher in this class is Chubb. He has a tremendous motor and has been unblockable for two straight years. He has 46.5 tackles for loss since the beginning of the 2016 season. Chubb was the tone-setter for the Wolfpack, and coaches raved about him as a leader. The Colts ranked 31st in the league in sacks (25) this season, and Chubb is a great fit."
——————————Expert: Todd McShay, ESPN
Date of mock draft: Dec. 13, 2017 (link; requires ESPN Insider access)
Selection: Bradley Chubb, defensive end, North Carolina State
Analysis: "This team has needs all over, but it is one of the few in the top 10 that should be set at QB, with a (presumably) healthy Andrew Luck coming back next season. Without an offensive tackle worthy of such a high pick, I'm looking for edge help here. Chubb has a great skill set and a nonstop motor, and he has played his way into being a top-10 pick. He is a plug-and-play starter."
——————————Expert: Matt Miller, Bleacher Report
Date of mock draft: Jan. 15 (link)
Selection: Bradley Chubb, defensive end, North Carolina State
Analysis: "Bradley Chubb is special. At 6'4 ½", 275 pounds, he plays with a ridiculous amount of energy, agility and burst. As far as pure pass-rushers go, he's not quite on the level of former No. 1 picks Jadeveon Clowney or Myles Garrett, but he's right behind them. The Indianapolis Colts should be all about that. The Colts don't have a head coach yet so we can't speculate about how Chubb would fit into a scheme, but you can be comfortable in knowing he fits in every scheme. Whether it's as a 4-3 defensive end or a 3-4 defensive end (think Joey Bosa), he's a fit. Chubb's talent and potential are special enough that he should be the first defensive player off the board."
——————————Expert:Dan Kadar, SBNation
Date of mock draft:Jan. 29 (link)
Selection:Bradley Chubb, defensive end, North Carolina State
Analysis: "It sure seems like this pick will be down to either Chubb or running back Saquon Barkley."
——————————Expert:Steve Palazzolo, Pro Football Focus
Date of mock draft:Jan. 18 (link)
Selection:Maurice Hurst, defensive tackle, Michigan
Analysis: "The Colts can go a number of ways with this pick, but adding difference-makers on the defensive side must be an offseason priority. Hurst fits the bill as an interior disruptor, as he finished 2017 with the top grade at any position at 96.8. He notched 14 sacks, 29 QB hits and 70 hurries on 782 career rushes. He can also create havoc in the run game, as he ranked second in the nation with his run-defense grade of 94.2."
——————————Expert:Chris Trapasso, CBS Sports
Date of mock draft:Jan. 22 (link)
Selection:Minkah Fitzpatrick, cornerback, Alabama
Analysis: "The Colts are the wild card of the early selections in this draft, and they go secondary to fortify their defense. With Fitzpatick and Malik Hooker, Indianapolis will have two young and dynamic defensive backs to counter Deshaun Watson and Marcus Mariota."
——————————Expert:R.J. White, CBS Sports
Date of mock draft:Jan. 25 (link)
Selection:Bradley Chubb, defensive end, North Carolina State
Analysis: "With Barkley off the board, the Colts pivot to taking the best pass-rusher in the class. Kansas City enjoyed a wealth of pass-rushers when Colts GM Chris Ballard was with the team, adding Dee Ford in the first round in 2014 despite already having Justin Houston and Tamba Hali. The Colts need to boost their pass rush after recording just 25 sacks in 2017 (31st in NFL), and Chubb would have an immediate impact."
——————————Expert:Josh Norris, Rotoworld
Date of mock draft:Jan. 9 (link)
Selection:Bradley Chubb, defensive end, North Carolina State
Analysis: "The Colts have a number of non-guaranteed contract decisions to make on the defensive side of the ball. The goal of this pick is to find a prospect who creates big plays. Saquon Barkley does that on offense, and Jim Irsay insinuated he'd be in favor of this pick, but the perceived best edge rusher in the country would be ideal as well."
——————————Expert:Eric Galko, Sporting News
Date of mock draft:Jan. 17 (link)
Selection:Orlando Brown, offensive tackle, Oklahoma
Analysis: "The Colts are in a great spot at No. 3. Their three biggest needs are offensive tackle, edge rusher and running back, and they have three high-end prospects to choose from here. Offensive tackle would be my pick, as keeping Andrew Luck healthy is more important than giving him rushing support or defensive help."
——————————Expert:Walter Cherepinsky, WalterFootball.com
Date of mock draft:Jan. 25 (link)
Selection:Bradley Chubb, defensive end, North Carolina State
Analysis: "Indianapolis has some nice edge rushers in Jabaal Sheard and John Simon, but neither is the elite talent Bradley Chubb happens to be. With Saquon Barkley off the board, Chubb is one of the two best players available. The Colts don't need a safety (Minkah Fitzpatrick), and it might be too early to select a guard (Quenton Nelson), so Chubb makes the most sense at No. 3 overall. Chubb steadily moved up my mock drafts during the season. At 6-4, 275, Chubb has a great blend of size and speed, and he's been dominant this season. There's some talk that Chubb is viewed as the top defensive prospect in NFL circles."
——————————Expert:Charlie Campbell, WalterFootball.com
Date of mock draft:Jan. 29 (link)
Selection:Bradley Chubb, defensive end, North Carolina State
Analysis: "*The Colts grab an edge defender who can be the building block for their defense and a potential franchise defensive player. Chubb totaled 73 tackles with 25 for a loss, 10 sacks, three forced fumbles and two passes batted in 2017. He was awesome against Florida State, making some huge plays to lead N.C. State to a road upset with two sacks, a forced fumble and seven tackles. Chubb dominated the competition in 2017, playing like a top-10 pick. The 6-foot-4, 275-pound Chubb has scheme flexibility and has been a tough defender for the Wolfpack. He has good quickness for a big defensive end and has shown the ability to get off blocks with his strength and hand usage. Chubb has developed some variety in pass-rushing moves and looks like an asset as a future three-down starter in the NFL. In 2016, he totaled 58 tackles with 22 tackles for a loss, 10.5 sacks, three forced fumbles and one pass batted. As a sophomore in 2015, Chubb collected 5.5 sacks."
——————————More 2018 #ColtsDraft coverage:
*• Chris Ballard On Senior Bowl, Draft Preparation, Coaching Search
• 2018 Senior Bowl: Chris Ballard 1-on-1
• 2018 Senior Bowl: Day 2 Practice Observations
• How Do The Colts Approach Building Diverse Position Groups?
• 2018 Senior Bowl: Rex Hogan Talks Scouting, Building Position Groups
• 2018 Senior Bowl: Purdue, Notre Dame Products Enjoying Experience
• 2018 Senior Bowl: Day 3 Practice Observations
• Scheme Fit A Top Priority For Colts In 2018 NFL Draft
• 2018 Senior Bowl: Ed Dodds On Player Evaluations, Scheme Fitting
• Purdue’s Ja’Whaun Bentley Taking Senior Bowl Experience In Stride
• Notre Dame’s Durham Smythe Shows Off Versatility At Senior Bowl
• Who Stood Out In The 2018 Reese's Senior Bowl?
• 2018 Senior Bowl: Seven Standout Prospects
