by The GM on April 26 at 11:13AM
The NFL draft is officially in the books now and after a few months of speculation and "who's going where" we all now have our answers. Some teams really put in a lot of work and improved their teams, while others did a whole lot of nothing.
1st round (pick 31) - Jerry Hughes, DE/OLB, TCU - Hughes is mostly going to be playing the DE role for the Colts and provide quite a bit of rotational relief for Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis. I see Hughes quickly becoming a fan favorite.
2nd round (pick 63) - Pat Angerer, ILB, Iowa - This pick was a bit of a reach, but is said to possess the exact type of skill set that the Colts covet. The Colts see Gary Brackett 2.0, I don't. Here's to hoping I'm wrong on that!
3rd round (pick 94) - Kevin Thomas, CB, USC - A little confused with this pick. Thomas has had some injury issues and there were other CBs on the board that could have filled this pick. Again, the Colts are seeing something that I don't. If healthy, he will at least provide depth.
4th round (pick 129) - Jacques McClendon, OG, Tennessee - Solid pick here. Adding depth to the guard position won't hurt and McClendon is good in the run game, something the Colts have needed the last couple of seasons.
5th round (pick 162) - Brody Eldridge, TE, Oklahoma - Never heard of this kid before. A former offensive linemen, so maybe he was drafted for his blocking ability and special teams play. Not sure he is going to make the roster.
*No 6th round pick
7th round (pick 238) - Ricardo Mathews, DT, Cincinnati - This was a solid depth pick. He will have to prove himself to make the roster though.
** COMP 7th round (pick 240) - Kavell Conner, OLB, Clemson - A great pick here. Conner could be a steal, IF, he can pick up the system quickly. His has the heart and motor that the Colts love in their players. His speed is above average, but his coverage isn't great. A special teamer and possible backup this year.
** COMP 7th round (pick 246) - Ray Fisher, CB, Indiana - The future of the kick return game. Fisher can really hit the seams and take off. A definite upgrade to TJ Rushing and Chad Simpson!
Overall, there wasn't a whole lot that the Colts "needed" in this draft, so the added depth is always welcome. There were a few guys that I would have loved to have seen in the later rounds. Greg Hardy, George Selvie, Bruce Campbell, Ricky Sapp, Dekoda Watson, Myron Rolle, and Jevan Snead were all guys that I was hoping the Colts would target. They didn't, oh well. I'd say a C is a solid grade for this draft class.
** On the compensatory picks, people ask, "What is a compensatory pick and how is it given?" Here is your answer on that!
Also, here is an early list of some of the undrafted free agents that the Colts have picked up so far!
The Colts bolstered their defense and grabbed more depth at the TE and
OL positions. With six of the eight picks on the defensive side of the
ball, the Colts showed their willingness to improve not only the
defense, but the special teams play as well.
1st round (pick 31) - Jerry Hughes, DE/OLB, TCU - Hughes is mostly going to be playing the DE role for the Colts and provide quite a bit of rotational relief for Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis. I see Hughes quickly becoming a fan favorite.
2nd round (pick 63) - Pat Angerer, ILB, Iowa - This pick was a bit of a reach, but is said to possess the exact type of skill set that the Colts covet. The Colts see Gary Brackett 2.0, I don't. Here's to hoping I'm wrong on that!
3rd round (pick 94) - Kevin Thomas, CB, USC - A little confused with this pick. Thomas has had some injury issues and there were other CBs on the board that could have filled this pick. Again, the Colts are seeing something that I don't. If healthy, he will at least provide depth.
4th round (pick 129) - Jacques McClendon, OG, Tennessee - Solid pick here. Adding depth to the guard position won't hurt and McClendon is good in the run game, something the Colts have needed the last couple of seasons.
5th round (pick 162) - Brody Eldridge, TE, Oklahoma - Never heard of this kid before. A former offensive linemen, so maybe he was drafted for his blocking ability and special teams play. Not sure he is going to make the roster.
*No 6th round pick
7th round (pick 238) - Ricardo Mathews, DT, Cincinnati - This was a solid depth pick. He will have to prove himself to make the roster though.
** COMP 7th round (pick 240) - Kavell Conner, OLB, Clemson - A great pick here. Conner could be a steal, IF, he can pick up the system quickly. His has the heart and motor that the Colts love in their players. His speed is above average, but his coverage isn't great. A special teamer and possible backup this year.
** COMP 7th round (pick 246) - Ray Fisher, CB, Indiana - The future of the kick return game. Fisher can really hit the seams and take off. A definite upgrade to TJ Rushing and Chad Simpson!
Overall, there wasn't a whole lot that the Colts "needed" in this draft, so the added depth is always welcome. There were a few guys that I would have loved to have seen in the later rounds. Greg Hardy, George Selvie, Bruce Campbell, Ricky Sapp, Dekoda Watson, Myron Rolle, and Jevan Snead were all guys that I was hoping the Colts would target. They didn't, oh well. I'd say a C is a solid grade for this draft class.
** On the compensatory picks, people ask, "What is a compensatory pick and how is it given?" Here is your answer on that!
Also, here is an early list of some of the undrafted free agents that the Colts have picked up so far!
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