2019 NFL mock draft: Indianapolis Colts select Dexter Lawrence

The Indianapolis Colts appear ready to take the AFC South by storm. After a putrid 1-5 start under new head coach Frank Reich, the Colts won nine of their final 10 regular season games, and added a playoff win to top it off.

In our Pride of Detroit Community Mock Draft, Smurph0404 is the Colts acting general manager, and his job is to continue this momentum into 2019.

With the 26th pick in the POD Community Mock, Smurph0404 has selected Clemson defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence. Here’s why, in Smurph0404’s own word:

“This was a tough pick. My first instinct was to jump on cornerback Byron Murphy out of Washington. Getting the chance to take the No. 2 CB off the board at 26 is good value, and Murphy fits well in the zone-heavy scheme that Indy’s secondary ran last year.

There is value to be had at safety too, with only one off the board so far. WR should be a consideration at some point since the Colts passing game struggled when T.Y. Hilton missed some games last year and played hurt in a few more. Other needs for the Colts are along the defensive front. They added Justin Houston in free agency but more pass rush is always welcome. Denico Autry and late bloomer Margus Hunt finished out the season as starters at DT, but Hunt is over 30 and there is room for upgrades on the line. I was hoping to snag Christian Wilkins or Jerry Tillery here, but the defensive line players are getting snapped up quickly.

In the end, I decided that the Colts needed their own Snacks. Dexter Lawrence is a 340-pound, run-stuffing defensive tackle, but one who is strong and athletic enough to move the pocket and cause problems for quarterbacks. Most of all, planting him in the middle of the line will demand attention and create more opportunities for players like Houston and Hunt to rush the passer. Lawrence isn’t as great of a fit as Wilkins or Tillery would have been, and there are character concerns stemming from a suspension at Clemson, but with an elite RAS at a position of need, he is too good to pass up.

A large part of my reasoning here is the fact that the Colts pick again just eight picks later in the second round. With only one corner and one safety off the board, there should still be value at DB for the next pick. But with the number of DTs and pass rushers that have gone so far, I figured if I wanted to add first round value on the defensive line, I needed to get it now.”

Catch up on all of the picks with our Community Mock Draft Tracker