As we sit roughly 10 months out from the 2025 NFL draft, running a mock draft for the purpose of trying to predict how things will unfold is a bit pointless. Obviously, a lot is going to change with players rising and falling down draft boards and team needs changing as the 2024 NFL season takes place.
However, with the college football season inching closer, what mock drafts can provide us with are some early round names to watch for the upcoming season. For the Indianapolis Colts specifically, a popular name for them in mock drafts has been Georgia safety Malaki Starks. To read more about Starks and why he could be a fit for the Colts, click here.
Using Pro Football Focus’ mock draft machine and its predetermined draft order, I let the computer make each of the first-round selections. Here is how things turned out:
Citrus Bowl: Tennessee defensive lineman James Pearce Jr. (27) forces a fumble against Iowa quarterback Deacon Hill (10).
Michigan defensive back Will Johnson celebrates after intercepting a pass from Ohio State quarterback Kyle McCord during the first half at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023.
Sep 30, 2023; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; LSU Tigers offensive linemen Will Campbell (66) lines up before the snap during the second half against the Mississippi Rebels at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 29, 2023; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Clemson Tigers quarterback Cade Klubnik (2) is brought down by Kentucky Wildcats defensive lineman Deone Walker (0) in the third quarter during the Gator Bowl at EverBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 27, 2024; Boulder, CO, USA; Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) prepares to pass during a spring game event at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Michigan defensive lineman Mason Graham looks to tackle Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. during the second half of U-M’s 34-13 win in the College Football Playoff national championship game in Houston on Monday, Jan. 8, 2024.
Dec 28, 2023; San Antonio, TX, USA; Arizona Wildcats wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan (4) gets ready for a play in the first half against the Oklahoma Sooners at Alamodome. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Dunn-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 29, 2023; Arlington, Texas, USA; Missouri Tigers wide receiver Luther Burden III (3) runs upfield during the fourth quarter of the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic against the Ohio State Buckeyes at AT&T Stadium.
Georgia quarterback Carson Beck (15) Throws a pass to Georgia wide receiver Rara Thomas (9) during the G-Day spring football game in Athens, Ga., on Saturday, April 13, 2024.
Texas Longhorn offensive linemen Kelvin Banks (#78) works out during their second day of preseason practice at the Denius Fields on Thursday, Aug. 3, 2023.
Purdue Boilermakers linebacker Nic Scourton (5) watches a replay on the scoreboard during the NCAA football game against the Minnesota Golden Gophers, Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023, at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Ind. Purdue Boilermakers won 49-30.
Benjamin Morrison CB of the Fighting Irish at practice at the Fighting Irish Athletic Center at Notre Dame on Thursday July 27, 2023.
wOct 28, 2023; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Georgia Bulldogs defensive back Malaki Starks (24) against the Florida Gators during the first half at EverBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 25, 2023; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Arizona Wildcats cornerback Tacario Davis (23) celebrates a play against the Arizona State Sun Devils in the first half of the Territorial Cup at Mountain America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 4, 2023; College Park, Maryland, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions linebacker Abdul Carter (11) celebrates after sacking Maryland Terrapins quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa (3) dung the first half at SECU Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Michigan tight end Colston Loveland celebrates a play against Washington during the second half of U-M’s 34-13 win in the College Football Playoff national championship game in Houston on Monday, Jan. 8, 2024.
Apr 27, 2024; Boulder, CO, USA; Colorado Buffaloes cornerback Travis Hunter (12) during a spring game event at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 29, 2023; Arlington, Texas, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes defensive end JT Tuimoloau (44) tackles Missouri Tigers running back Cody Schrader (7) on run in the first quarter during the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic at AT&T Stadium.
Oct 21, 2023; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; Army Black Knights running back Kanye Udoh (26) is hit by LSU Tigers linebacker Harold Perkins Jr. (4) on a run during the first half at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Danny Wild-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 27, 2023; Houston, TX, USA; Oklahoma State Cowboys running back Ollie Gordon II (0) hurdles Texas A&M Aggies defensive back Dalton Brooks (25) in the second quarter at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports
Texas Longhorns quarterback Quinn Ewers (3) throws a pass while warming up ahead of the Longhorns’ spring Orange and White game at Darrell K Royal Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Texas, April 20, 2024.
April 13, 2024; Columbus, Ohio, USA;
Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Emeka Egbuka (2) catches a pass for the scarlet team during the first half of the LifeSports Spring Game at Ohio Stadium on Saturday.
Dec 30, 2023; Atlanta, GA, USA; Mississippi Rebels running back Quinshon Judkins (4) is tackled by Penn State Nittany Lions safety Kevin Winston Jr. (21) during the second half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 18, 2023; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes defensive end Jack Sawyer (33) celebrates a tackle during the first half of the NCAA football game against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at Ohio Stadium.
Louisville Cardinals defensive lineman Ashton Gillotte (9) brings down Kentucky Wildcats quarterback Devin Leary (13) for a sack in the first half Saturday. Nov. 25, 2023.
Oregon defensive back Jabbar Muhammad carries the ball during practice with the Ducks Tuesday, April 23, 2024 at the Hatfield-Dowlin Complex in Eugene, Ore.
April 13, 2024; Columbus, Ohio, USA;
Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Devin Brown (33) hands off to Quinshon Judkins (1) for the scarlet team during the first half of the LifeSports spring football game at Ohio Stadium on Saturday.
Nov 4, 2023; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi Rebels wide receiver Tre Harris (9) catches the ball against Texas A&M Aggies defensive back Jayvon Thomas (14) during the first half at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 11, 2023; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels running back Omarion Hampton (28) with the ball as Duke Blue Devils linebacker Tre Freeman (12) defends in the first overtime at Kenan Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 2, 2023; Bloomington, Indiana, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes cornerback Denzel Burke (10) lines up during the NCAA football game at Indiana University Memorial Stadium. Ohio State won 23-3.
Oregon wide receiver Evan Stewart makes a catch during practice with the Ducks Tuesday, April 23, 2024 at the Hatfield-Dowlin Complex in Eugene, Ore.
Nov 25, 2023; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Arizona Wildcats offensive lineman Jonah Savaiinaea (71) against the Arizona State Sun Devils during the Territorial Cup at Mountain America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
