NFL Mock Draft 2023: Post Super Bowl LVII edition

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - DECEMBER 31: Bryce Young #9 of the Alabama Crimson Tide reacts after throwing a touchdown pass during the fourth quarter of the Allstate Sugar Bowl against the Kansas State Wildcats at Caesars Superdome on December 31, 2022 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) /

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Dec 31, 2022; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) looks to pass the ball against during the third quarter of the 2022 Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports /

player. 46. Ohio State. Pick Analysis. QB. CJ Stroud. 4. Scouting Report

Two picks after the first quarterback comes off the board, the Colts jump at the opportunity to select CJ Stroud.

To say the 2022 season was a nightmare for the Colts’ quarterback room would be a massive understatement. A year after Carson Wentz took over as QB1, the Colts fell on harder times (imagine that) with a far-pas-his-prime Matt Ryan who was replaced by Sam Ehlinger but he didn’t exactly fare well.

Indianapolis needs a franchise quarterback to pair with Johnathan Taylor so the pressure can be taken off the elite running back’s shoulders. Teams just haven’t respected the Colts’ passing game for a couple of years and that just adds extra mileage to Taylor.

Stroud would be a heck of a pick here and Bryce Young is 1A to his 1B so there isn’t a huge difference between talent levels here.

He passed for 8,123 yards and 85 touchdowns with a 69 percent completion rate over his two-year starting career with the Buckeyes. Not too shabby.

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