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Quote:

Originally Posted by YDFL Commish (Post 8333)

Is this really an accurate number? 5.10 is crazy slow. For an ILB that is considered un-draftable by most, if not all teams.

Yet Grigson takes him in the 4th rd. Holy shit, I'm so glad that Grigson is gone.

Yep, that was his officially recorded time last year:

http://www.nfl.com/draft/2016/profil...son?id=2555160

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coltsalr (Post 8347)

Yep, that was his officially recorded time last year:

http://www.nfl.com/draft/2016/profil...son?id=2555160

Sounds like Grigson gave his comments on him as well:

"Sources Tell Us "Write him up however you want, but he's a two-down MIKE linebacker who is tough as hell and a good football player. I worry much less about his 'negatives' than I do with what he can do." -- AFC general manager"

Quote:

Originally Posted by YDFL Commish (Post 8355)

lol, I'm almost 100% sure that was Grigson

I am sure that Ballard will take BPA whether it is Lber CB Oline etc....

@HolderStephen 36m36 minutes ago
Was told #Colts meeting w and have private workout w Jackson St. LB Javancy Jones tmrw. More from East-West Shrine:

Aaron Wilson‏Verified account
@AaronWilson_NFL

University of Cincinnati linebacker Eric Wilson to visit Packers, Colts, per a source. Has worked out for Patriots, met with Buccaneers

:cool:

@1043TheFan
@Tyler_Polumbus "From someone close to the situation, the four teams most interested in C.McCaffrey are #Eagles, #49ers, #Colts & #Broncos"

hopefully it's just a smokescreen and the eagles end up taking him

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wyatt (Post 8403)

hopefully it's just a smokescreen and the eagles end up taking him

Goodness, yes! I hope it is a smokescreen as well.

While I like McCaffery A TON and think he will be a pretty good "jack of all trades" type of RB in the NFL, I don't want him this year. The chance to get an elite pass rusher at 1-15 is TOO GOOD to pass up.

RB in the 4th round in 2017 and then, if the fixes go well on defense to bring it up to NFL average, then I would be good with RB early in 2018 as the replacement for Frank Gore.

But not this year.

Cheers,

We have too many issues at ILB, OLB, CB where these are all strengths of this draft....we should be making every effort to maximise the fact this aligns with the major strengths in this years draft and maybe double up on a couple of those positions. Certainly in my mind we need 2 CB's and 2 LB's as a minimum from the first 4 rounds. That still leaves 2 picks to use on other issues, such as a NT/DE or a RB. Hopefully we can come out of this draft with the potential of 6 realistic starters, if not all immediately, at some point in the future.

The more that I keep looking at this draft class, the more than I want more draft picks in the 3rd/4th/5th rounds. There are A LOT of kids that I would love having wear the horseshoe in this deep class.

I would not be opposed at all with dropping once or twice from 1-15 down to say 1-20 and then 1-26 to pick up extra picks and still nab someone in the 1st round whom can be an NFL stud on defense.

Anyway, I love the potential of a lot of players whom the "experts" think are going to end up being 3rd and 4th round draft picks.

BREAK BREAK BREAK

My current research leads me to like two NT prospects whom should both be available in the 5th round or below; Louisville's DeAngelo Brown and USC's Stevie Tu'ikolovatu.

While neither are world beaters, they both can play heavy (320+), have lots of experience against double teams and play the run well. Both have holes in their game (neither pass rush worth a poop for instance) along with Tu'ikolovatu playing too tall and sometimes getting skated and Brown having endurance questions but both kids would make a very good piece of a NT rotation with Al Woods and possibly Parry if retained for a pretty low investment.

Anyway, those guys are whom I would be targeting my 5th round pick with if I were Ballard.

Cheers,

Quote:

Originally Posted by sherck (Post 8412)

The more that I keep looking at this draft class, the more than I want more draft picks in the 3rd/4th/5th rounds...

Yes, I quoted myself.

Article on Colts.com today quotes Ballard as being ready to trade down to get more draft picks.

Quote:

“We wouldn’t hesitate to trade down and get a few more picks if we can,” Owner Jim Irsay stated at this past week’s Annual League Meetings. “That would be something that we think could really benefit us.”

“Not enough,” Ballard says of the seven picks in the first five rounds. “We need more (laughs).

“We won’t be (afraid to trade back). We will not be timid about moving around in the draft. Will it happen? I don’t know. There’s some years we said that in Kansas City and we didn’t make one trade. And then last year we beat bopped around a few times in the draft.

“You’ve got to have a partner that’s willing to trade with and you have to be willing to work out the compensation. We are definitely open to trading back in this draft and we have to make sure when we do it, we still have the right players on the board targeted.”

“In my mind,” Ballard says, “the more picks you have, the more chances you have to hit on the player."

I like this thinking. We are not one superstar away from being a good team; we are a lot of solid players away from being a good team AND THEN a couple of superstars away from being great.

However, as a thought exercise (like I previously did):

Indy trades 1-15 to Denver (who is a good team who needs superstars to become great) for 1-20, 3-18 (#82) and 5-34 (#178).

Indy trades 1-20 to Seattle (who is a good team who needs superstars to become great) for 1-26, 3-26 (#90) and 6-26 (#210).

Both those trades have almost exactly the same "trade value" from the NFL trade charts.

Indy now has:

1-26 (#26)

2-14 (#46)

3-16 (#80)
3-18 (#82)
3-26 (#90)

4-15 (#121)
4-31 (#137)
4-38 (#144)

5-14 (#158)
5-34 (#177)

6-26 (#210)

Picking up 4 more picks; two 3rd round, one 5th round and one 6th round, to slide back 11 slots in the first round and STILL pickup someone like OLB Charles Harris, OLB T.J. Watt, ILB Zach Cunningham, ILB Alex Anzalone, CB Chidobe Awuzie or CB Quincy Wilson would be pretty great.

Not everyone who gets drafted into the NFL works out; getting more picks allows for more opportunities to hit on players.

Cheers,

Great scouting report on Jabril Peppers. What the f**k is he?

Brett Kollmann is probably the best i've seen scouting guys.

Worth a watch....

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=pW4HK4HXEi0

Peppers was used as a "force" player at Michigan similar to how the Vikings use Harrison Smith.

His primary role was to set the edge from the secondary and force the offense to deal with the middle of Michigan's front 7.

Michigan's Lbers didnt have the speed to contain runs to the outside, so Peppers willingly took on the role as an extra linebacker/force player when asked by their Defensive coordinator.

He was damn good at it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by natagu23 (Post 8447)

Great scouting report on Jabril Peppers. What the f**k is he?

Brett Kollmann is probably the best i've seen scouting guys.

Worth a watch....

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=pW4HK4HXEi0

Yea Kollman's breakdowns are the best for sure.

And this was very educational, since I don't follow college ball. Peppers reminds me a lot of Bob Sanders, able to play zone coverage as a DB but able to defend the edge and take out the outside runs, and occasionally blitz inside and get to the QB.
I don't know if 15 is too high for him but if we trade down a few spots he could theoretically be there at 20. That's flat out worth it - you get a good player and you get an extra late round pick.

Quote:

Originally Posted by natagu23 (Post 8447)

Great scouting report on Jabril Peppers. What the f**k is he?

Brett Kollmann is probably the best i've seen scouting guys.

Worth a watch....

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=pW4HK4HXEi0

Yeah, Kollmann does a nice job there. He's leaps and bounds ahead of Voch Lomabardi at conveying his point without, laboring on forever.

Quote:

Originally Posted by sherck (Post 8437)

Yes, I quoted myself.

Article on Colts.com today quotes Ballard as being ready to trade down to get more draft picks.

I like this thinking. We are not one superstar away from being a good team; we are a lot of solid players away from being a good team AND THEN a couple of superstars away from being great.

However, as a thought exercise (like I previously did):

Indy trades 1-15 to Denver (who is a good team who needs superstars to become great) for 1-20, 3-18 (#82) and 5-34 (#178).

Indy trades 1-20 to Seattle (who is a good team who needs superstars to become great) for 1-26, 3-26 (#90) and 6-26 (#210).

Both those trades have almost exactly the same "trade value" from the NFL trade charts.

Indy now has:

1-26 (#26)

2-14 (#46)

3-16 (#80)
3-18 (#82)
3-26 (#90)

4-15 (#121)
4-31 (#137)
4-38 (#144)

5-14 (#158)
5-34 (#177)

6-26 (#210)

Picking up 4 more picks; two 3rd round, one 5th round and one 6th round, to slide back 11 slots in the first round and STILL pickup someone like OLB Charles Harris, OLB T.J. Watt, ILB Zach Cunningham, ILB Alex Anzalone, CB Chidobe Awuzie or CB Quincy Wilson would be pretty great.

Not everyone who gets drafted into the NFL works out; getting more picks allows for more opportunities to hit on players.

Cheers,

I know you can't really trust what GMs say at this time of the offseason, but I think this is Ballard's preference. We'll see if there's anyone willing to move up. It may also be affected by other teams wanting to trade back, so we'll see.

Quote:

Originally Posted by natagu23 (Post 8448)

Problem is that the Colts already have a decent player who plays that role. They need to improve at that deep S spot much more than the in-the-box S.

Quote:

Originally Posted by VeveJones007 (Post 8471)

Problem is that the Colts already have a decent player who plays that role. They need to improve at that deep S spot much more than the in-the-box S.

Agree and I love Geathers, but I would take Bob Sanders over Geathers any day ... and Peppers is the closest thing to Bob I have seen since Bob

Quote:

Originally Posted by Puck (Post 8479)

Agree and I love Geathers, but I would take Bob Sanders over Geathers any day ... and Peppers is the closest thing to Bob I have seen since Bob

They're both physical players, but Sanders ran a 4.35 compared to a 4.46 for Peppers. Bob was a freak of nature.

That tenth of a second doesn't matter much in the box, but it's a big deal when crashing down from a deep S position or covering the middle third.

Quote:

Originally Posted by VeveJones007 (Post 8487)

And Peppers is that much faster than Clayton.... But I think we are good at Safety. No need to mess around there

Quote:

Originally Posted by VeveJones007 (Post 8471)

Problem is that the Colts already have a decent player who plays that role. They need to improve at that deep S spot much more than the in-the-box S.

Peppers can play slot as well.

In this league, you need a good nickel. If you're going to beat a team like the Patsies, if you don't have a good nickel or even a serviceable dime guy then it'll probably be a long day if they they want spread you out.

Plus, you can throw Peppers back there at safety in case Green bombs, or Butler perhaps....which ever you prefer.

If Peppers is considered an impact player, and he's available when the Colts pick, then I say take him, and make it work position-wise. But if there's still questions over how his game may translate to the NFL, then he's not worth the risk, and we draft a need position.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Indiana V2 (Post 8500)

Thanks, Pete

Quote:

Originally Posted by VeveJones007 (Post 8471)

Problem is that the Colts already have a decent player who plays that role. They need to improve at that deep S spot much more than the in-the-box S.

Yep, so if Hooker unexpectedly falls to us (which, no, I don't think he will), then sure, pull the trigger. I can't remember the last time a guy has come out of college already having that much range.

I don't think he will be, though. ILB/OLB.

5 round mock draft over on NFL.com by Chad Reuter

1-15 Haason Reddick - LB, Temple

Quote:

Bottom Line Injuries limited Reddick to just four games over last two years of high school, forcing him to walk on at Temple. The Owls staff helped him unlock his explosive athletic traits on the field, which resulted in three forced fumbles, 9.5 sacks and 21.5 tackles for loss in 2016. Reddick's speed and athleticism might give him a greater shot at impacting the game as a 3-4 inside linebacker or a 4-3 WILL rather than trying to bulk up and play the edge. An ascending prospect with a high-end potential if he can continue to hone his craft.

I love the concept of using him all over the field sort of like the Texans do with J.J. Watt. ILB on run downs and hand in the dirt pass rusher from anywhere on passing downs.

2-14 Adoree' Jackson, CB, USC

Quote:

Sources Tell Us "I didn't expect him to have the year he did in coverage. I saw ball skills and coverage ability that I didn't see last year. Those interceptions and return touchdowns will push him into the early second. That's my guess." -- South area scout for AFC team

NFL Comparison Johnathan Joseph

Bottom Line There are two things teams love -- ball production from cornerbacks and return men who can play meaningful snaps on every down. Jackson fits those criteria. His lack of size and length are concerns, but he has the athleticism to step right in as a slot corner on the next level. His combination of coverage and return talent could make him an early impact player.

Lack of talent at CB would allow him to take whichever position he can earn on the field (CB2 or Slot) and he could impact the return game in positive ways. Good pick.

3-16 D'Onta Foreman, RB, Texas

Quote:

Sources Tell Us "I think he would have benefitted by staying in school another year. He's awful in pass protection. Our coaches won't put him out there if they think he'll get the quarterback killed. He has ability as a runner but I think it's going to take awhile for him to become a factor." - NFC Scouting Director

NFL Comparison Jonathan Stewart

Bottom Line Former three-star recruit who turned that a chip on his shoulder into a 2,000-yard junior season. Foreman has outstanding foot quickness and wiggle for a back his size, but will need to run behind his pads and with more aggression on the next level. Teams could be split on his draft value as some may covet his size and athleticism while others will be concerned about a lack of third down value. Ultimately he has the talent to be a good NFL starter, but he's still a work in progress.

Hate the pick. Not good in pass protection? Only had 7 pass receptions for the year? One trick pony which is NOT what the Colts offense needs. Don't mind picking a RB with the 3rd round pick if it is the RIGHT running back but I don't think Foreman is that guy.

4-15 John Johnson, S, Boston College

Quote:

Sources Tell Us "He's really caught my eye out here. Had to go look him up with one of our scouts to find out more about the kid. Way more athletic than a lot of the safeties you see out at this game." -- NFC secondary coach

NFL Comparison Aaron Williams

Bottom Line Ascending defender with the experience, athleticism and ball skills to play as a high safety or in man coverage. Johnson is well above average as a ball-tracker and has the soft hands to finish at the catch-point against receivers. He has decent size but won't be a banger as a tackler, however, his ability in coverage has NFL personnel men buzzing as a potential early starter in the league.

Love that he has experience playing FS and Nickel CB. Sounds like a young Darius Butler honestly. Mix and match where to play him based on package; young players with that type of versatility are worthwhile.

4-31 Sean Harlow, G, Oregon State

Quote:

Bottom Line Lacks the length and athletic ability to play tackle at the next level and will have to kick inside. Shows some power at the point of attack, but needs to play with better bend after initial contact. Will be a little limited in space and his anchor problems as a left tackle will have to be vetted in pre-draft workouts after he kicks inside. Could be a serviceable backup with swing ability between center and guard.

Not positive where he fits in the thinking of the guy making the draft. We already have A LOT of "acceptable" options at OG including Schwenke, Haeg, Good and Blythe. If we were going to add someone to the interior of the O-Line, we need a "GOOD" option and not another acceptable option. I guess he is thinking that any additional O-Lineman is an improvement but I would have rather seen this pick at TE than O-line to get just another body.

4-38 Deatrich Wise, DE, Arkansas

Quote:

Bottom Line Slow-twitch power player with rare physical attributes but a lack of functional athleticism to chalk up a stat sheet. Might have been miscast as a 4-3 defensive end considering his lack of quickness and rush talent. But his length and power at the point of attack could make him an attractive Day 3 (Rounds 4-7) draft option for 3-4 teams looking for a two-gapping defensive end with the traits to bounce back from a disappointing senior season.

At the DE position, the Colts currently have Anderson, Langford, Ridgeway, Hunt and McGill. We have room for another young body whom can help close down run gaps and force an opposing offense into passing the ball.

5-14 Elijah Lee, OLB, Kansas State
No NFL.com Draft Profile to pull from. I pulled this from a pretty good video draft profile from a Washington Redskins fan (located here).

Quote:

Elijah Lee was one of the best defenders in the BIG-12 this past season. He’s an athletic rangy linebacker with sideline to sideline ability. Lee was used as both an inside and outside linebacker while as Kansas State and the answer as to whether he should be used inside or outside will likely differ on the team evaluating him. Lee can make plays from either position. I hesitate to project him as an edge rushing LB in the NFL because his strengths don’t really lie in beating offensive tackles off the edge with his speed or pass rush moves. Lee does excel as a run defender plugging gaps and using his athleticism to shoot through them and make a play. Lee didn’t get a combine invite but he has said his offseason focus is to put on weight and show his athletic ability.

Elijah Lee is an intriguing player that you could play outside or inside but as I’m noticing with most of this year’s mid-round linebackers he has some issues that need to be corrected before he can be thrust out into a starting role. For Lee, it starts with filling out his frame as much as he can without affecting his athleticism (he is 6'3", 228 pounds). Not only does Lee need to add muscle mass he needs to add strength. I think a lot of Lee’s subsequent issues actually stem from that physical standpoint.

Sounds like a poor man's Hasson Reddick. Sounds like a kid whom you can get to play different assignments depending on how you need him (inside on run downs, pass rush on passing downs). Needs to bulk up without slowing down but could see a lot of snaps as a rookie on ST.

In the end, the Colts end up with 2 picks in the secondary, 2 picks at LB, a RB, an OG and a D-Lineman. I don't like the RB or OG picks but I like everyone else.

If Ballard ends up with this type of haul, I would not be disappointed.

Cheers,

Derek Barnett runs an unofficial 4.89 40 time at his Pro Day.

He supposedly has a strained hamstring right now and is "toughing it out", but that's a pretty bad time and a pretty common excuse and mounts concerns upon a guy whose biggest concern is his conditioning.

I'm still not opposed to bringing in a guy that's been that productive at rushing the passer in the SEC and I'd be hard-pressed to pass on him in the 1st round, but more and more, I like the idea of going ILB in the 1st round (Foster/Davis/Cunningham/Reddick) and then edge rusher in the 2nd (Barnett/Williams/Lawson/Harris).

That seems feasible to me, I think.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coltsalr (Post 8518)

The more concerning this for me when I watch any film on Barnett is his lack of rush moves. The guy is a one-trick pony right now. Unless he gets coached up (which I don't trust from this staff), teams will be able to scheme him out pretty easily.

That's why I'm much higher on Reddick and Harris. Both have eyes for the football and multiple pass rush moves.

Quote:

Originally Posted by sherck (Post 8510)

5 round mock draft over on NFL.com by Chad Reuter

1-15 Haason Reddick - LB, Temple

I love the concept of using him all over the field sort of like the Texans do with J.J. Watt. ILB on run downs and hand in the dirt pass rusher from anywhere on passing downs.

2-14 Adoree' Jackson, CB, USC

Lack of talent at CB would allow him to take whichever position he can earn on the field (CB2 or Slot) and he could impact the return game in positive ways. Good pick.

3-16 D'Onta Foreman, RB, Texas

Hate the pick. Not good in pass protection? Only had 7 pass receptions for the year? One trick pony which is NOT what the Colts offense needs. Don't mind picking a RB with the 3rd round pick if it is the RIGHT running back but I don't think Foreman is that guy.

4-15 John Johnson, S, Boston College

Love that he has experience playing FS and Nickel CB. Sounds like a young Darius Butler honestly. Mix and match where to play him based on package; young players with that type of versatility are worthwhile.

4-31 Sean Harlow, G, Oregon State

Not positive where he fits in the thinking of the guy making the draft. We already have A LOT of "acceptable" options at OG including Schwenke, Haeg, Good and Blythe. If we were going to add someone to the interior of the O-Line, we need a "GOOD" option and not another acceptable option. I guess he is thinking that any additional O-Lineman is an improvement but I would have rather seen this pick at TE than O-line to get just another body.

4-38 Deatrich Wise, DE, Arkansas

At the DE position, the Colts currently have Anderson, Langford, Ridgeway, Hunt and McGill. We have room for another young body whom can help close down run gaps and force an opposing offense into passing the ball.

5-14 Elijah Lee, OLB, Kansas State
No NFL.com Draft Profile to pull from. I pulled this from a pretty good video draft profile from a Washington Redskins fan (located here).

Sounds like a poor man's Hasson Reddick. Sounds like a kid whom you can get to play different assignments depending on how you need him (inside on run downs, pass rush on passing downs). Needs to bulk up without slowing down but could see a lot of snaps as a rookie on ST.

In the end, the Colts end up with 2 picks in the secondary, 2 picks at LB, a RB, an OG and a D-Lineman. I don't like the RB or OG picks but I like everyone else.

If Ballard ends up with this type of haul, I would not be disappointed.

Cheers,

Regarding Foreman, it depends on what Ballard envisions for the RB position moving forward. If they are sticking with a power scheme, Foreman is a solid pick--no player has ever run as fast as Foreman at his size in pre-draft work.

However, I agree that they need multi-dimensionality from the RB position. Get guys who are a threat out of the backfield and create matchup problems for opposing defenses.

Quote:

Originally Posted by VeveJones007 (Post 8526)

I agree. I was solidly in the Barnett camp until I watched some tape on Harris. He has decent spin move, a good rip move and uses the bull rush at times.

@DraftAnalyst1
Pro Day March 30: Colts GM on the Houston campus...heach coach at Boise State pro day...more on Basham http://draftanalyst.com/pro-day-march-30 …

Ballard meets with Houston OLB Tyus Bowser and CB Brandon Wilson

Quote:

Originally Posted by YDFL Commish (Post 8536)

I agree. I was solidly in the Barnett camp until I watched some tape on Harris. He has decent spin move, a good rip move and uses the bull rush at times.

Yep, and watch his eyes when he rushes the passer. He does a great job identifying where the QB is going to move in the pocket and then using whatever move will help him get there.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wyatt (Post 8537)

It was a few months ago, but Matt Miller had Wilson to the Colts at 2.14. He had Bowser around pick #100 (3rd round comp), but has said that his stock is definitely going up.

Edit: It was actually CB Howard Wilson he had to the Colts. Not sure if Draft Analyst is confusing the two. But I can see why the Colts would have interest in Brandon Wilson too.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coltsalr (Post 8518)

The 40 time doesnt really concern me as long as its not 5.0 or >.

Barnett's lack of explosiveness is more of a concern.

You can lack speed, but you have to be able to fire off the ball and have a good first step.

He strikes me as a low ceiling, decent floor kinda guy who could potentially flop under poor coaching, and guess what we have plenty of?

In contrast to Barnett, Hasson Reddick is one more explosive players in the draft.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coltsalr (Post 8518)

If the Colts take Reddick, it won't be to play ILB.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dam8610 (Post 8554)

If the Colts take Reddick, it won't be to play ILB.

100% agree with this. I think way too much is being made out of Reddick's size (237 lbs). Guys like Clay Matthews and Robert Mathis certainly proved to have great careers on the EDGE when "undersized."

I don't think he'll be there, though. I'd be shocked if he isn't in the top 10 after his last three months.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Puck (Post 8489)

And Peppers is that much faster than Clayton.... But I think we are good at Safety. No need to mess around there

Imagine if you will, how much better the Colts would be if they drafted Collins instead of the midget Dorrsett!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by njcoltfan (Post 8563)

Imagine if you will, how much better the Colts would be if they drafted Collins instead of the midget Dorrsett!!

Certainly better, but not enough to have made much difference.

Quote:

Originally Posted by njcoltfan (Post 8563)

Imagine if you will, how much better the Colts would be if they drafted Collins instead of the midget Dorrsett!!

Part of the problem is that we're not utilizing Dorsett nearly enough or the way he is supposed to used.

You pair Dorsett with Rodgers or Brady..... 800+ yard season and other accomplishments are practically a given.