MOCK DRAFT: How Do Indianapolis Colts Adjust with No Linebackers Allowed Early?

On this week's Mock Draft Monday episode of Locked On Colts, hosts Zach Hicks and Jake Arthur explore a creative twist: drafting the Indianapolis Colts without selecting a linebacker in the top 100 picks. The duo navigates the challenge by prioritizing edge rushers and wide receivers in the first two rounds, with Zach selecting Zion Young from Missouri and Jake going with Gabe Ackes from Illinois—both power-based edge defenders who can immediately contribute. In the third round, they shift focus to the offensive side, with Zach picking Georgia State’s Ted Hurst and Jake landing UConn’s Skylar Bell, a versatile, modern-style receiver who fits Shane Steichen’s offensive scheme. The real strategy unfolds on Day Three, where both hosts finally address the linebacker need: Zach picks Arizona State’s Keyshawn Elliott, a run-stuffing, high-energy player, while Jake selects Alabama’s Deontay Lawson, a coverage-oriented linebacker with elite instincts. They also add depth with offensive linemen like Nolan Rucci and Carver Willis, and round out the draft with late-round gems including Indiana’s Kalen Black, Nebraska’s Sayer Wright, and a surprising international prospect, Uar Bernard from Nigeria, whose freakish physical traits have drawn attention. The episode underscores the Colts’ flexibility in the draft and their ability to find value beyond the top 100, even without a traditional linebacker in the early rounds.