2017 NFL mock draft: Indianapolis Colts land Jonathan Allen

The drop of Alabama defensive lineman Jonathan Allen in the SB Nation NFL writers’ mock draft has been real. He’s been the best overall player remaining since the second pick and has dropped. The obvious issue is the diagnosis that he has arthritic shoulders. That’s made it easy for people to find fault in him as a prospect — he might be a low ceiling player, he’s a little undersized for a defensive tackle, his athleticism doesn’t stand out.

All of that just means that some team is going to get a heck of a player much later in the draft than they should. In this case, the slide is stopped by Stephen Reed, who is making the pick for Stampede Blue and the Indianapolis Colts.

15. Colts: Jonathan Allen, DL, Alabama

Stephen Reed: Most national mock drafts have the Colts taking an offensive lineman or running back in Round 1. While those may be needs, those positions are not nearly as high on the priority list for anyone who actually follows the team. The Colts desperately need help on the defensive side of the ball and will likely focus on improving it.

That being said the Colts are happy to stop the fall of Jonathan Allen. Allen is arguably the best defensive lineman in this class, a top-three talent and somehow fell to the Colts at 15. He comes from Alabama's pro-style 3-4 defense and can play anywhere along the defensive line. Allen consistently stops the run, rushes the passer and quickly recognizes screens or draws. All things the Colts have lacked since possibly Booger McFarland, who coincidentally was also a 15th pick. Yes, Allen's shoulders are cause for concern but, assuming everything checks out, this pick is a no-brainer. The Colts immediately upgrade a position of significant weakness with a potential All-Pro caliber player.

Analysis: At long last, the Jonathan Allen watch is over. You can argue that the Colts really need a pass rushing outside linebacker with this pick, or should have taken Florida State running back Dalvin Cook. But when a player of Allen's caliber falls into your lap it's an easy selection. Allen was dominant at Alabama with his ability to rush the passer and stop the run. He's a good system fit with the Colts and should help fix a defense that ranked near the bottom of the league in stopping the run. This might be the best pick of this entire mock draft. Certainly it's the biggest steal.

Dan's top five players remaining

• 7. Dalvin Cook, RB, Florida State
• 9. Reuben Foster, MLB, Alabama
• 16. Jabrill Peppers, S, Michigan
• 17. Takkarist McKinley, OLB, UCLA
• 18. Ryan Ramczyk, OT, Wisconsin

Colts picks

• 1-15: Jonathan Allen, DL, Alabama
• 2-46: (coming April 17)

That closes out our picks for the week in the SB Nation NFL writers' mock draft. Don't forget, if you've missed any, find them here. Coming at 9 a.m. ET on Monday, things pick back up with Baltimore Beatdown picking for the Ravens.