A top tight end NFL draft prospect may be long gone before Colts are picking on Day 2

A potential Day 2 option for the Indianapolis Colts at the tight end position may not be there for them.

If the Colts don't address their big need at tight end on Day 1, LSU's Mason Taylor headlines the next wave of tight end options behind Tyler Warren and Colston Loveland.

But as this pre-draft process has continued to unfold, it doesn't sound like Taylor is going to be around when the Colts are back on the clock at pick No. 45.

"Mason Taylor to me," said Daniel Jeremiah on a conference call, "is an emerging player in that everybody is comfortable with him. He's a safe player. He's rock solid. He had a nice week at the Senior Bowl. 

"He's one of those guys when you are talking to teams, if you got wiped out, who would be your guy? If we get wiped out, we would just take Mason Taylor. He's going to start the next eight, ten years. Just a steady, solid player. I think he goes in the back half at one. At worst, he goes early 2."

Taylor brings a well-rounded skill set to the NFL level. While the attention is on the Colts' need for a greater passing game presence at tight end, the ability of that player to be reliable in the running game in Shane Steichen's offense is crucial as well. Taylor has the ability to impact both facets, which is why we could see him go in the first round, as Jeremiah mentions.

This potential outcome only adds to the urgency for the Colts when it comes to addressing this need. It's possible that Warren is off the board when the Colts are picking at 14, and then Taylor might not be available anywhere near pick 45.

So for the Colts, that means having to take Colston Loveland in the first round, who is known for his pass-catching ability, or potentially choosing the fourth or fifth-best tight end in this year's class. Considering how major a hole this is on the roster, the Colts need immediate help at this position.

Now, this isn't to say that Elijah Arroyo, Harold Fannin, or Terrance Ferguson can't make a quick impact, but all three are more pass-catching threats than blockers. So, from a fit standpoint, the transition to Steichen's offense may not be as seamless, which means question marks could remain at the tight end position.