Who did the Indianapolis Colts end up picking in PFN’s 2021 NFL redraft?
If the Indianapolis Colts could go back in time and re-pick the 2021 NFL draft, how would things play out knowing what we know now about these players?
Pro Football Network recently set out to answer that question by redrafting the entire first round and using hindsight as their guide.
Originally, the Colts selected Kwity Paye with the 21st overall pick, but this time, PFN had Indianapolis taking defensive end Jonathon Cooper.
“With 19.0 sacks and 33 quarterback hits in the last two seasons for the Broncos, Jonathon Cooper has become one of the most underrated edge rushers in the NFL,” wrote PFN. “Kwity Paye was a good pick for the Colts here, but Cooper’s recent production gives him the slight upper hand.”
Cooper was originally a seventh-round pick in this draft by Denver and over the last two seasons, he produced 55 pressures in 2023 and 64 pressures this past season with 22 total sacks, according to PFF.
In 2024 specifically, Cooper’s 64 pressures were the 14th most among all defensive ends, and he was 20th in pass rush productivity.
For comparison’s sake, Paye totaled 65 pressures and 16 sacks over the last two years. By PFF’s grading system, Paye has been the better run defender.
Not only Paye, but the Colts’ pass rush as a whole should benefit from the addition of Lou Anarumo at defensive coordinator. His more aggressive, disguise-heavy scheme should eliminate some of those quick throws that opponents picked the Colts apart with last season, and more movement up front should help cultivate more advantageous matchups.