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NFL Mock Draft 9.0: Quarterbacks push defensive prospects down board

By Jacob Camenker

ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 08: Roquan Smith #3 of the Georgia Bulldogs walks in to the locker room prior to the CFP National Championship presented by AT&T at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on January 8, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 08: Roquan Smith #3 of the Georgia Bulldogs walks in to the locker room prior to the CFP National Championship presented by AT&T at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on January 8, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /
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INDIANAPOLIS, IN – MARCH 04: North Carolina State defensive lineman Bradley Chubb (DL28) runs in the 40 dash drill at the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 4, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – MARCH 04: North Carolina State defensive lineman Bradley Chubb (DL28) runs in the 40 dash drill at the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 4, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /

Defensive End. NC State. Bradley Chubb. 6. player. 46.

Trading down with the Jets was an absolutely brilliant move by the Colts. Because of the rise of the quarterbacks in this class, the team will have a chance to land one of the best prospects in the draft at this juncture. With Bradley Chubb and Quenton Nelson still on the board, the Colts will have a tough decision to make, but Chubb should be the favorite as of right now.

Chubb was an absolute beast at NC State, functioning as part of the team’s elite defensive line that features four 2018 NFL Draft prospects. Chubb was the unquestioned leader of this unit, and over the course of his last two seasons, he racked up 44 tackles for loss and 20 sacks. For the next level, he projects to be a great pass rusher who should have a shot at getting double digit sacks every year.

The Colts really need to add talent to their defense, and they are switching to a 4-3 defensive alignment under new head coach Frank Reich and defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus. While they have Jabaal Sheard and John Simon to play the end positions, neither is a top notch edge rusher, so adding a guy like Chubb would do a lot to improve that position.

Related Story: NFL Draft defensive line value rankings

If the Colts decide that they would rather upgrade the offensive side of the ball, they could choose to draft the aforementioned Nelson to start at left guard. That would push the recently re-signed Jack Mewhort out to right tackle, and it could do a lot to benefit the line as a whole. Still, it seems more likely that the team will go with Chubb given the personnel that they need on the defensive side of the ball.

Either way, the Colts are in great position here, and Chris Ballard needs to be credited for making his savvy trade down. He really fleeced the Jets and put the Colts in great position to land talented players in the draft.

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