Colts pass on QB, pick top pass rusher in 7-round mock draft of active NFL players

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8 hours ago

The Indianapolis Colts were the first team not to select a quarterback in a very unique seven-round mock draft put together by Chad Reuter of NFL.com.
In this mock, rather than selecting the top college prospects or redrafting past drafts, Reuter selected only active NFL players. In doing so, he had one goal in mind for each team, which was to "win now."
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So, which non-quarterback did the Colts prioritize selecting in this mock draft, and what did their seven-man draft class end up looking like overall?
The Indianapolis Colts picked DE Myles Garrett in the first round
Of course, in a quarterback-driven league, those players dominated the first round of this mock. The Colts were one of just a couple of teams that did not pick this position.
So, with the Colts able to take the best non-quarterback in the draft, they selected Cleveland defensive end Myles Garrett.
This past season, Garrett totaled 83 pressures and 14 sacks, according to PFF. He's recorded at least 14 sacks in five straight seasons and has had 70-plus pressures over the last four years.
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Up to this point in his career, Garrett is a six-time Pro Bowler, a four-time All-Pro, and he was the 2023 Defensive Player of the Year.
Who else did the Colts pick in this mock draft
Round 2: Russell Wilson, QB
Round 3: Trey McBride, TE
Round 4: Tyler Linderbaum, C
Round 5: Marvin Harrison Jr., WR
Round 6: Jessie Bates, S
Round 7: Taylor Decker, OT
Perhaps in a fitting fashion, even in this mock draft, the Colts will have some question marks at quarterback. Wilson will be on his third team in three seasons this year, and while his numbers on the surface are solid during that span, the overall offensive output from his units hasn't quite been there. The 2023 Broncos and the 2024 Steelers were both ranked in the bottom third in points per game and yards per play.
McBride provides a high-end pass-catching presence from the tight end position, while Harrison Jr. gets to return home to play for the Colts.
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As GM Chris Ballard would, the Colts prioritized the trenches in Reuter's mock, picking two offensive linemen and a defensive lineman, while Bates brings really good ball production to the back end of the defense.
To see which current Colts players were selected in this mock draft, you can find that here.
This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: Colts pick Myles Garrett, pass on QB in mock draft of active NFL players