The All-rookies-I-like team

In the leadup to the draft there are a lot of players that you really fall in love with. You know the chances of that individual player being taken by your team aren't great, but hopefully they'll grab a few guys you like. I followed a lot of players this year, so many that I'm going to continue my roster building with a full team of them. To be eligible a player must be a rookie and be drafted outside the top 20 (because just about everyone likes the top guys).

The format is:

Name, School, NFL team, round(pick#)
Comments

QB
Brian Brohm, Louisville, Packers, 2(56)
Brohm was the 3rd QB taken, but will be better than Matt "I'm so clutch except when I'm throwing almost 2 picks a game" Ryan, and Joe "Can throw a football threw the goalpost from my knees at midfield, but can't read a defense" Flacco.

Kevin O'Connell, San Diego State, Patriots, 3(94)
He was supposed to be a sleeper, but New England's "reach for everyone we like" draft strategy killed that.

Bernard Morris, Marshall, Unsigned, Undrafted
The man I hoped would be trying to knock the clipboard from Jim Sorgi's hands.

HB
Chris Johnson, East Carolina, Titans, 1(25)
If you don't think I made the cutoff at top 20 because top 24 would be too awkward and transparent you haven't been reading my posts long enough.

Matt Forte, Tulane, Bears, 2(44)
I really thought the Colts were getting Forte. Big Blue Shoe tried to warn me that the Bears loved him, but I assumed they would address the QB, WR and OL spots before replacing mega-bust Cedric Benson.

Mike Hart, Michigan, Colts, 6(202)
The third and final back that I thought would be there in the 2nd and be a fit for the Colts. I was more than ready to settle for Hart in the 3rd-4th round if the unthinkable happened and both Johnson and Forte were gone at #59

FB
Jacob Hester, LSU, Chargers, 3(69)
A versatile HB/FB combo who can block, catch and carry the ball. If the Colts didn't get Forte who blocks like a fullback, they could draft a real fullback who fits their scheme.

TE
Brad Cottam, Tennessee, Cheifs, 3(76)
Gigantic, an in-line blocker with solid hands and decent speed. Cottam would be a Utecht upgrade at best or replica at worst.

Jacob Tamme, Kentucky, Colts, 4(127)
Awesome hands, great speed, good routes, but not a blocker.

Joey Haynos, Maryland, Packers, Undrafted
Another Utecht replacement who could be had in the late rounds. A good blocker with solid hands, speed and route running.

WR
Earl Bennet, Vanderbilt, Bears, 3(70)
A guy that really came on strong and was one of two guys I wanted the Colts to take when their first pick finally came up. Great route running and hands. Not an eye-popping spectacular athlete but good across the board. Compared to Marvin Harrison.


Andre Caldwell, Florida, Bengals, 3(97)
Elite speed + good routes = Dangerous Receiver His hands had question marks, but it's thought to be lapses in concentration on easy passes instead of lack of ability that hurt him.

Keenan Burton, Kentucky, Rams, 4(128)

Arman Shields, Richmond, Raiders, 4(125)
Another potential sleeper that was jumped on by a team that liked him as much as I do. A great athlete who worked short routes very well, but struggled on deep routes mostly negating the advantage of his blazing speed.

Pierre Garcon, Mount Union, Colts 6(205)
Wasn't on my radar before the Colts drafted him, but I like what I found reading up following the pick. Dominated his competition at the DIII level. Could take over return duties for the Colts this season.

OL
Chad Rinehart, Northern Iowa, Redskins, 3(96)
An outstanding left tackle at the 1-AA level for UNI, Rinehart has the physical talent to remain
at left tackle. He's making a big jump, but could develop into a starting LT or a great option at RT/Guard.

Kory Lichensteiger, Bowling Green, Broncos, 4(104)
I knew the Colts would look to take a C/G type guy, I just didn't expect it in the second round. Lichtensteiger is a smart, versatile, athletic lineman.

Mike Pollak, Arizona State, Colts, 2(59)
Smart, athletic and versatile, just like all the other guys the Colts like. Pollak was rated the top center by many and top 2-3 by all.

Jeremy Zuttah, Rutgers, Bucs, 3(83)
Very athletic in addition to being smart and versatile. Zuttah maybe be able to play tackle at the pro level.

John Greco, Toledo, Rams, 3(65)
I wanted a tackle to take over as the primary backup, insuring Charlie Johnson never played tackle in a meaningful game again. Greco was the right type of lineman (smart, athletic) in the right part of the draft (second day).

Doug Legursky, Marshall, Steelers, Undrafted
The Colts were one of a few teams that had scouts at Marshall's pro-day and Legursky is the type of lineman they like.

Thaddeus Coleman, Mississippi Valley State, Cardinals, Undrafted
A massive, aggressive (too often to a fault) blocker. Coleman isn't a phenomenal athlete but is athletic enough to play left tackle. He will need good technique since he doesn't have athleticism to spare playing LT. Could be a absolute force run blocking at RT. Needs to take it down a notch and stop drawing flags and starting fights with his over-aggressiveness.

DE
Quentin Groves, Auburn, Jaguars, 2(52)

Cliff Avril, Purdue, Lions, 3(92)

Marcus Howard, Georgia, 5(161)

Rudolph Hardie, Howard, Unsigned ,Undrafted

Titus Brown, Mississippi State, Dolphins, Undrafted

DT
Trevor Laws, Notre Dame, Eagles, 2(47)

Jason Jones, Eastern Michigan, Titans 2(54)

Carlton Powell, Virgina Tech, Broncos, 5(148)

Frank Okam, Texas, Texans, 5(151)

LB
Xavier Adibi, Virgina Tech, Texans, 4(118)

Phillip Wheeler, Georgia Tech, Colts, 3(93)

Geno Hayes, Florida State, Bucs, 4(175)

Ali Highsmith, LSU, Cardinals, Undrafted

Wesley Woodyard, Kentucky, Broncos, Undrafted

Jo-Lonn Dunbar, Boston College, Unsigned, Undrafted

Erin Henderson, Maryland, Vikings, Undrafted

DB
Antonie Cason, Arizona, Chargers, 1(27)

Brandon Flowers, Virgina Tech, Chiefs, 2(35)

Jack Williams, Kent State, Broncos, 4(119)

Charles Godfrey, Iowa, Panthers, 3(67)

Craig Sletz, LSU, Bears, 4(120)

Corey Lynch, Appalachian State, Bengals, 6(177)

Jamie Silva, Boston College, Colts, Undrafted

Jonathan Hefney, Tennessee, Bucs, Undrafted

K/P/LS
The Colts are set there so didn't look at any pre-draft. I'll go with the 1st kicker, only punter and only long snapper drafted.

Taylor Mehlhaff, Wisconsin, Saints, 6(178)
Kicker

Durant Brooks, Georgia Tech, Redskins, 6(168)
Punter

Tyler Schmitt, San Diego State, Seahawks, 6(189)
Long Snapper

According to the standard NFL pick value chart, for the cost of Jake Long and a mid-5th round pick a team could have the entire starting O (starting 11 without the situational players.

Instead of Chris Long and Jordan Dizon (pick #45 OLB) A team could trade back and draft the entire starting defense of my all-rookies-I-like team.

"Comments on the defense and the last few (4) roster spots are coming on the weekend."
Yeah, forget about that part. Talking about all the players the Colts didn't get makes me sad.

Undrafted Free Agents

Jeff Saturday, Gary Brackett, Ed Johnson, the Colts always find quality football players that weren't considered good enough to draft. Here's my favorites of the guys who were passed over.

Rudolph Hardie DE, Howard
A productive pass rusher with great size. He dropped because he played against lesser competition at Howard.

Titus Brown DE, Miss St
A productive rusher who is undersized and from a non-big name school

Erin Henderson, OLB, Virgina
Serious concerns about Henderson's history of knee injuries scared teams away, despite great talent and production

Ali Highsmith, OLB LSU
Horrible 40 at the combine marked the start of his fall. He plays fast and would be a fit for the Colts.

Bernard Morris QB, Marshall
A QB project. The Colts visited the Marshall pro day.

Wesley Woodyard OLB Kentucky
Another small quick LB that could excel in the cover 2

Dantrell Savage, RB Oklahoma State
Very undersized, but explosive back.

Robert Felton, OG, Arkansas
A powerful run blocker, who helped clear the way for #4 pick Darren McFadden and played alongside Tony Ugoh

Jonathan Hefney, S, Tennessee-Joey Dunbar LB, Boston College
A pair of special teams aces with the skills to play in the cover 2

Joey Haynos TE, Maryland
A big blocking TE, with the hands and route running to be a short to mid range target.

NES 7 round mock draft with analysis on every pick

Impressive piece of work. Only one pick that I hate, I think this guy is pretty good.
http://www.newerascouting.com/top_stories/483-final-2008-mock-draft-7-rounds-with-analysis/

59. Indianapolis Colts-Chris Johnson-RB-ECU
In a year where they don’t have a first round pick, the Colts can succeed in a big way if they land a return specialist like Chris Johnson here. Johnson is electric enough to come off the board much earlier, and Indianapolis would get the type of game-changer on special teams
that they have been craving.

Yeeeeeaaaah I love it.

93. Indianapolis Colts-Philip Wheeler-LB-Georgia Tech
The Colts have what appears to be a big mess at linebacker, and if luxury player like Chris
Johnson is the pick in round two, then the Colts definitely need to get a linebacker here in the third. Wheeler can be utilized as an effective blitzer from his linebacker position, and would give the Colts a nice situational guy who should develop into a starter in a couple years.

Booooooooo, WTF are you talking about. The Colts had some injuries but are bringing back all three guys that started most of the season and a backup would was very good as a rookie. They lost Rob Morris who was a veteran stopgap and would have lost his starting job before the end of the year if he hadn't gotten hurt first. Boiman was the other loss at LB and he's a career special teams/backup. They need to add a little depth, but they have consistently found solid LBs in the late rounds.
The Colts don't blitz, the send more than 4 rushers less than any team in the NFL. The Tampa-2 is all about 4 rushing, 7 in coverage. They sent 6+ rushers once every 40 plays in 2006. Unless they're converting Wheeler to a 3rd down end his pass rushing skills will be completely wasted.
Cliff Avril should go in this spot. He's a smaller speed rushing end to backup/spell Freeney and Mathis who wear down against teams that are pass heavy (The Patriots).

127. Indianapolis Colts-Frank Okam-DT-Texas
A bit of an enigma due to his massive size and strength, Frank Okam’s stock has dropped somewhere around this area in the mid to late fourth round. Okam has the potential to be dominant with some time, so the Colts could reap major rewards on this investment over time.

The Colts have solid depth at DT, but if he pans out his quickness could make him a big improvement over Ed Johnson.
I'd rather have John Greco in this spot to prevent Charlie Johnson from being the backup at both tackle spots.

161. Indianapolis Colts-Andrew Crummey-OG-Maryland
The Colts can’t get enough people to protect franchise quarterback Peyton Manning, so another guard here in the sixth round is always a good idea. Crummey looks the part of an NFL backup at the very least, so he should stick around in the league and find a role soon enough.

OL depth is a need, but if Jack Williams drops that far the Colts have to jump on him. He's a perfect tampa two corner and a good special teams player.

196. Indianapolis Colts-Brad Cottam-TE-Tennessee
At this point in the draft, it’s not a bad idea for the Colts to look for a little bit of insurance at tight end in the likely scenario that Dallas Clark has to miss some time. Cottam has great hands and could play a similar role to Clark if he can work his way up the depth chart.

I like it. Cottam has the size and blocking ability to replace Utecht as the Colts blocking/short route TE.

201. Indianapolis Colts-Marcus Henry-WR-Kansas
Even with a short national spotlight, Kansas’ Marcus Henry really hasn’t gotten a fair shake this year heading up to the draft. Henry is a big target who is relatively unproven, but could end up being a surprise for the Colts if they hang on to him.

202. Indianapolis Colts-Jacob Hester-FB-LSU
The tough-nosed Hester would fit well in a Peyton Manning led offense, and the Colts are set to take a fullback at least at some point here in the draft. Hester isn’t the best athlete you’ll find at his position, but his heart and love of the game should fit right in with the Colts.

The Colts could use depth at WR, but FB is a bigger need since they get HB/WR Chris Johnson instead of HB/FB Matt Forte. The empty spot is used for my favorite late round player Rudolph Hardie.

205. Indianapolis Colts-Ricky Santos-QB-New Hampshire
Not that Peyton Manning is being replaced or anything, but the Colts can stand to add another backup passer with this pick. New Hampshire’s Ricky Santos is an extremely intriguing prospect, and he should at the very least benefit from working with a superstar like Peyton Manning for a few years.

I'm not a Sorgi fan, but I'd rather continue to improve the Colts awful special teams with a guy like Corey Lynch.

236. Indianapolis Colts-Kennard Cox-CB-Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh’s forgotten cornerback is decent value for a team like the Colts who are looking to add depth in their secondary here in the draft’s final round.

Polian loves drafting DBs even when they don't really need them, but If they pick up Jack Williams and Corey Lynch before this pick they are set. Kory Lichtensteiger could be the Colts center of the future and depth across the interior.

My draft from the guys available. (picks I completely agree with the posted draft in bold)
2. Chris Johnson
3. Cliff Avril
4. John Greco
5. Jack Williams
6a. Brad Cottam
6b. Rudolph Hardie
6c. Jacob Hester
6d. Corey Lynch
7. Kory Lichtenstegier

Todd McShay's 7 round mock

2. DT-Trevor Laws
3. OG-Chilo Rachal
4. TE-Jermicheal Finley
5. RB-Justin Forsett
6a. WR-Dorien Bryant
6b. LB-Alvin Bowin
6c. DE-Wallace Gilberry
6d. S-Jonathan Hefney
7. DT-Barry Booker
full mock
With Chris Johnson gone before #59 Trevor Laws is my next favorite, so I like that.

3rd round pick on guard is too early for a position where they just need depth. Dylan Gandy has played very well while backing up the entire interior line for the Colts the last two years and Charlie Johnson is competing with him for the spot opened up by Jake Scott going to the Titans. Between the two of them they definitely have a starting quality RG. They just need depth, that is easy found and coached up to NFL caliber by Howard Mudd in the later rounds, especially on the inside.

In the third they miss on Forte, Avril and Greco, three guys I'd love to have in the third and the first two I'd take in the second if Laws was gone. Jack Williams is a perfect fit for a two two corner and could step in soon as the nickelback and replace Hayden if he isn't resigned after the season.

TE isn't a bad pick in the fourth, but they have the chance to both fill their O-line depth need and grab a successor for Jeff Saturday with Kory Lichtensteiger. Mike Hart is also there if they want a replacement for the stone handed Kenton "I don't have to listen to police since I'm a NFL player" Keith.
Marcus Howard falls further than I've ever seen and would be my choice here and maybe even in the third round since I've rarely seen him last this long in a mock.

If the Colts don't go RB earlier, Forsett is a decent pickup in the 5th, but he isn't a great Colts fit. Kellen Davis could fill the Ben Utecht, blocking and dumpoff pass TE role well.

In the sixth, I'd take Robert Felton over Dorien Bryant, Arman Shields instead of Wallace Gilberry and Marshall center Doug Legurski if they don't get Lichtensteiger.

Rudolph Hardie, one of my favorite late round players goes undrafted. I would take him in the sixth if not earlier.

My picks from who McShay has available
2. DT Trevor Laws
3. CB Jack Williams
4. RB Mike Hart (the NES guys have me a bit down on Howard and if the Colts don't get Johnson or Forte, there are many good fits left for them at RB)
5. TE Kellen Davis (Marucs Howard if he was there like in the mock, but he won't be)
6a. OG Robert Felton
6b. WR Arman Shields
6c. DE Rudolph Hardie
6d. OC Doug Legurski
7. DE Titus Brown

Favorite Prospects-2nd rounders

While reading up on all the possible Colts picks there have been a few prospects that I really liked. Exciting players that fit what the Colts do. When these guys are taken there will be a response from me, either an excited fist pump as the Colts select them, a disappointed head in hands sigh when another team drafts them or a moment of frustration followed by a calm "In Polian we trust," if the Colts pass on a favorite.

Possible 2nd rounders
Chris Johnson- I joke about liking the East Carolina runningback so much it's become physical attraction, but he really is my favorite and no other pick by the Colts would be as exciting. Johnson can backup Addai, return kicks and line up in the slot providing depth at WR too. He's a threat to go for a TD every time the ball is in his hands and the Colts wealth of other options will keep him from being overworked or made ineffective by misuse as an every-down
up the middle pounding, back (see Bush, Reggie). How's this for a dangerous set, Wayne and Marvin split wide, Clark at TE, Peyton in the shotgun flanked by Addai and Chris Johnson. 5 elite receiving targets on the field and it's a legitimate running formation because of Clark's solid blocking at TE and former fullback Addai ready to lead Johnson through the hole.

Trevor Laws The end of 2006 and start of 2007 showed how the Tampa-2 is suppose to work, two fast safeties covering deep with the big physical corners playing short and the athletic linebackers filling the middle of the zone. The seven men in coverage blanket the field allowing no quick throws. Up front the DEs fly up the field and around the tackles. The QB looks to step up out of danger, but sees penetration from the DTs and can't. He's is forced into a bad throw into tight coverage or to eat the ball for a big sack.
Disruptive DTs have been what the Colts have lacked, likely because it's the only position where the Colts don't specifically look for a type of player that most teams don't like (slower but strong tackling corners, small fast linebackers and safeties who cover and undersized pass rushing DEs). The kind of DT that the Colts really need is the kind of D-linemen every other team wants. Big enough to play the run, but quick with pass rushing moves to penetrate or push the pocket. Anthony McFarland is that kind of DT and Raheem Brock seemed to be becoming one before his injury. With McFarland cut and now signed with Pittsburgh the Colts lack a big pass rushing DT. Ed Johnson can hold up against the run, but does little to pressure the QB. Trevor Laws can do both. He's slightly undersized but holds up against the run and he can pressure the QB. A pass rusher in the very solid, but unspectacular Ed Johnson's spot is the piece missing from the Colts starting lineup.


Marcus Howard

Q: Who started their career with this 3 year stat line?

Year Age Tm G GS Sk Int Yds TD Lng PD FF Fmb FR Yds TD Tkl Ast Sfty 2003 22 IND 16 0 3.5 0 0 0 0 2 3 0 1 0 0 18 3 2004 23 IND 16 1 10.5 6 0 3 26 0 32 4 2005 24 IND 13 0 11.5 0 0 0 0 2 8 0 0 0 0 46 10

A: a fifth round pick who was dismissed as a "tweener" and pass rush specialist who racked up 25.5 sacks in 3 years in that role, became a starter in his fourth season and led the Colts in sacks in both the seasons since he entered the starting lineup, Robert Mathis.

The Colts need a backup DE who can rush the passer more than ever with Freeney returning from a season ending injury and last season revealing that none of the current backups are effective pass rushers. A second round pick is not too much a cost to fill this role and a player like Howard can definitely be a situational rusher early and grow into a staring role. Marcus Howard is likely to have a bigger immediate impact and progress faster because he is making the jump to the NFL from a higher level of competition than Mathis faced in D1-AA and is a more highly regarded prospect.

Andre Caldwell-just because O_O

Matt Forte- A HB/FB hybrid that blocks well and can catch the ball out of the backfield. He's basically Addai shifted further towards the FB end of the RB spectrum.

Xavier Adabi- Everything in his profiles screams Colts linebacker, but he's probably to highly touted to become one. He will be flying all over the field from the WILL for some lucky team very soom.

46 days to the draft

That means another set of mocks with a few new names thrown out there:

DT, Dre Moore Quick off the line with rare speed in pursuit and has the size (6'4" 307) and strength (31 bench reps at the combine, set school weightlifting records) to hold his ground, he seems perfect of the Colts athletically. He is, but the best athletes aren't always the best football players. Got a late start to football, is inconsistent and needs work on his technique. He improved in these areas as a senior, but is still far from his potential.

RB Dantrell Savage (3rd round) A small back with good speed and hands. Size and injury history are concerns. His blocking was good at the college level but 5'8" 190lb RBs can't be expected to be very effective pass blockers in the NFL. Has the skill set of a return-man, but wasn't a kick returner in college.

Late Update

Took two days instead of one (I never get anything done on my days off), but here's the rest of the Mock List update.

DE/DT Jason Jones, (3rd round) A big DE with experience at DT and good quickness. Probably a fit with the Colts in the DT rotation (though it's pretty solid as of now) and as the big DE (Josh Thomas' role).

DE Marcus Howard NFL.com's evaluation sounds extremely similar to Robert Mathis pre-draft profiles; A DE with great production in college, but thought of as too small to play and has little/no experience at LB. Could be a good situational pass rusher available in the middle rounds.

And finally Draft Tek makes my night (so far, maybe I'll go out later like a normal person) by making Chris Johnson the Colts 2nd round pick.

New Prospects

The Mock drafts are picking up following the combine. Here are the newcomers to the Colt's list.

DT, DeMario Pressley
A big run stopping double team absorber, not really a fit for the Colts since he does little more than hold his ground (very, very well).

LB, Jerod Mayo
A fast aggressive LB, played both inside and out in college

-Adding more tomorrow, time to sleep-

I <3 Chris Johnson

The runningback for ECU is now my favorite prospect by far. He was already my favorite before today, I already knew he was fast, could return kicks, play wide receiver or runningback and averaged 6 yards a carry in college but today he went out and absolutely flew in the 40. He ran the best time of the 08 combine to date and one of the fastest ever, 4.24 seconds.

Now the only question is will the Colts have to trade up to get him and should they? (if it's not far I say "yes, yes, yes please yes.")

A prospect for the Utecht Haters

Martellus Bennett, the 6'7" 250lb Tight End from Texas A&M. He could fill both the blocking TE and big redzone target roles for the Colts. He's an excellent blocker with good hands, but is a bit slow and needs work on his route running. He could more than fill Utecht's role. He has the same strengths, but many of the same weaknesses, including this scary phrase in his profile, "Does not always secure the ball."

Is super-size Utecht worth a 2nd round pick? He's ranked #33 overall by Matt Miller and #32 by Scout.com, others are less high on him, but it's unlikely he'll be around by the time the Colts have their 3rd round pick. With Tight Ends and O linemen working out at the combine today he's a guy to watch.

Great profiles/list

NFL.com has posted a ton of great prospect profiles, so I'm going to link the profile of every player from the mock draft list. Hopefully this will make a neater list of possible Colts draft picks and give great info. The number in parenthesis (#) is the prospects rank in the draft class from Matt Miller at New Era Scouting and Mocking the Draft, The number in brackets [#] is the rank by scout.com.

RBs
Chris Johnson (#59) [#37]
Matt Forte (#48) [#82]
Ray Rice (#107) [#85]
Tashard Choice (#86) [#134]
Jacob Hester (#122) [#198]
Dantrell Savage (#179) [#157]

WRs
Chris Johnson* (#59) [#37]
Devin Thomas (#73) [#24]
James Hardy (#75) [#66]
Andre Caldwell O_O (#99) [#49]

TEs
Fred Davis (#39) [#22]
Martellus Bennett (#33) [#32]
Jacob Tamme (#127) [#130]

OL
Carl Nicks (#65) [#27]
Branden Albert (#50) [#57]
Roy Schuening (#69) [#93]
Tony Hills (#90) [#90]
Robert Felton (#97) [#59]
Chilo Rachal (#128) [#121]
Heath Benedict (#115) [#116]
Eric Young (#185) [#73]
Drew Radovich (#188) [#86]
Oneil Cousins (unlisted) [#33]
Chad Rinehart (unlisted) [#122]


LBs
Xavier Adibi (#35) [#74]
Geno Hayes (#57) [#67]
Phillip Wheeler (#74) [#71]
Bruce Davis (#80) [#125]
Jerod Mayo (#70) [#72]

DEs
Chris Ellis(#54) [#47]
Phillip Wheeler* (#74) [#71]
Darrell Robertson (#111) [#61]
Bruce Davis*(#80) [#125]
Cliff Avril (#161) [#79]
Jason Jones (#120) [#146]
Jeremy Thompson (#157) [#186]
Marcus Howard (unlisted) [#160]

DTs
Pat Sims (#55) [#45]
Dre Moore (#85) [#68]
Frank Okam (#41) [#119]
Red Bryant (#105) [#107]
Demario Pressley (#108) [#131]
Jason Jones* (#120) [#146]


*=I know I listed him twice he could play either position

my thoughts on these players can be found here

Update

New Mock Picks
2nd round
DT, Red Bryant, (profile) (profile2) Finally everyone's favorite part of the mock draft season, calling someone a moron for not knowing which type of player fits into each of the 32 team's systems. Huge (6'5" 330lbs), neither quick nor fast and having little impact as a pass rusher Bryant is not a Colts DT.

3rd round
WR, Andre Caldwell, (profile) A big play threat with the hands that caught the most passes in the history of the Florida Gators. Caldwell is fast, runs good routes and is quick out of cuts. At 6 foot 200lbs he looks like the rest of the Colts WR corps.

OT/OG Heath Benedict (profile) Like Rinehart, a small school star, all the tools, but didn't face top competition. Benedict began at Tennessee, but academic problems caused his move to D-II.

Two new 2nd rounders

More guys someone out there thinks the Colts will draft.

LB, Phillip Wheeler, (profile) (profile) A fast, aggressive, undersized linebacker with solid coverage skills. Fits into a cover two at OLB. Experience and sack production at DE and MLB in college makes blitzing or using him as a rush end an option.

DE, Jeremy Thompson (stats) a big DE without huge sack production, he was strong against the run. After initially dismissing this pick I realized he could fix the depth at DE in the opposite way than I had been trying to, by taking snaps away from Freeney/Mathis in running situations keeping them fresh, instead of finding another great pass rusher to replicate what they do.

Full list is here

New names

Additions to the mock Colts picks list:

2nd rounders
DE, Darrell Robertson (profile) (another) a pass rushing specialist with the frame to add weight. 6'5" 240-250. Labeled a tweener, but may be bigger than Robert Mathis already.

WR, James Hardy (profile) A giant (6'7") WR to contrast the trio of 6 footers the Colts have at the 1-3 spots.

3rd rounders
LB, Geno Hayes, a quick LB that can cover the pass well and isn't a liability against the run

FB Jacob Hester (profile) another HB/FB tweener. Good hands, converts short yardage situations often and is great on special teams. Not fast or explosive as a HB and not a powerful lead blocking FB.

Full list is here

Mock Indy picks

Who do the NFL draft experts around the web think the Colts will draft?
(This is a work in progress. I'll add more links to mocks and comments over the next few days.)

2nd round (pick #59)
OT/OG Oniel Cousins (profile)
G, Chilo Rachal (seconded) (profile)
G, Roy Schuening (agreement) (him again) (profile)
G, Eric Young (another vote)
G, Brandon Albert
OT/OG Tony Hills (profile)
I doubt the Colts spend their first pick of the draft on a guy to play guard. One or both of the guards may return, whether both, one or neither of the Guards are resigned will decide if guard is a concern. Between Dylan Gandy, Charlie Johnson and the wealth of later picks in the 08 draft I think the Colts can fill at least one, maybe both guard spots without using a first day pick.

LB_Xavier Adibi, (This one too) (Third-ed) (Popular pick) (profile) (another), A speedy, underweight LB who excels in pass coverage and could contribute on special teams Adibi is a great fit for the Colts defense. Again I disagree with the position of the player. The Colts LB corps is as strong as it's ever been and for the first time in years will not lose a starter to free agency (Boiman is the only LB FA). If Dungy and Polian love Adibi and see him as a great value at the end of the second I could see them using the pick on him, but it's not a position of need and earlier than the Colts usually take LBs.

LB, Bruce Davis, (profile) A fast aggressive LB with experience at DE. 24.5 sacks in the last two years. Pessimistic, "tweener" profile sounds like Robert Mathis' pre-drafts. Even smaller than Mathis at 229lbs but is 6'3" (an inch taller than Mathis) so could bulk up to a more appropriate size. 2nd round is too early but I'd love for the Colts to grab him in the middle rounds.

LB, Phillip Wheeler, (profile) (profile) A fast, aggressive, undersized linebacker with solid coverage skills. Fits into a cover two at OLB. Experience and sack production at DE and MLB in college makes blitzing or using him as a rush end an option.

RB, Ray Rice (J mays concurs) (profile), The 08 draft class is packed with quality RBs so a good one could make it all the way down to the Colts. The Colts say they would have taken Maurice Jones Drew if he would have fallen to them even after using their first rounder on Addai, so if the right RB falls the Colts will jump on him, no matter how set they feel at RB. Rice pushed 07 2nd round pick Brian Leonard into the background last year after splitting carries with him as a freshman.

HB/FB, Matt Forte (profile) (another) A big physical RB, a great inside runner with good hands and blocking skills. Could fill both the RB2 and Fullback spots for the Colts.
Cons: not very fast or elusive. Inexperienced as a lead blocker.

WR, Devin Thomas (profile) Put up big numbers as his team's only receiving threat. He outgained his team's #2 through #5 receivers 1260 yards to 1228 yards.

WR, James Hardy (profile) A giant (6'7") WR to contrast the trio of 6 footers the Colts have at the 1-3 spots.

TE Fred Davis (profile) (another) Excellent receiving TE with great hands and route running. Not a great blocker, but has the size and showed both effort and improvement to his blocking in college. Rated as either the best TE in the draft class or in the top 2-3.

TE, Martellus Bennett, the 6'7" 250lb Tight End from Texas A&M. He could fill both the blocking TE and big redzone target roles for the Colts. He's an excellent blocker with good hands, but is a bit slow and needs work on his route running. He could more than fill Utecht's role. He has the same strengths, but many of the same weaknesses, including this scary phrase in his profile, "Does not always secure the ball."

DE, Christopher Ellis (profile) (another) A bit of a project (underweight), very quick, with good pass rushing skills. The last player that slid to the Colts because he was too light will be playing in his first Pro Bowl Sunday, Antonie Bethea (now a impressive 203lbs).

DE, Darrell Robertson (profile) (another) a pass rushing specialist with the frame to add weight. 6'5" 240-250. Labeled a tweener, but may be bigger than Robert Mathis already.

DE, Jeremy Thompson (stats) a big DE without huge sack production, he was strong against the run. After initially dismissing this pick I realized he could fix the depth at DE in the opposite way than I had been trying to, by taking snaps away from Freeney/Mathis in running situations keeping them fresh, instead of finding another great pass rusher to replicate what they do.

DE, Cliff Avril (profile) a undersized tweener end with good speed and pass rushing skills.

DT, Pat Sims a very big DT, but may be athletic enough to fit with the Colts, the writer of the mock draft seems to know something I don't stating, "Booger McFarland is now gone."


DT, Red Bryant, (profile) (profile2) Finally everyone's favorite part of the mock draft season, calling someone a moron for not knowing which type of player fits into each of the 32 team's systems. Huge (6'5" 330lbs), neither quick nor fast and having little impact as a pass rusher Bryant is not a Colts DT.

Round 3 (pick #93):
OG, Drew Radovich (draft-tek agrees) (profile)
See comments on Guards above

Xavier Adibi, LB I like him better here. He sounds like a Colts LB.

Geno Hayes, a quick LB that can cover the pass well and isn't a liability against the run
TE, Jacob Tamme (profile) a fast receiving TE, he has great hands, but is a poor blocker. He would be a replacement for Clark (not leaving) or Fletcher, not Utecht. He doesn't block well enough to be a true TE. He's a Dallas Clark type TE. His hands might be better than Clark's but his blocking will be worse. If the Colts don't bring back Fletcher or decide not to keep Clark beyond the one year franchise tag that they've said they'll put on him, Tamme could be the replacement as a slot WR/3rd down TE.

RB/WR, Christopher Johnson (profile) (another)
Pro: One of the fastest players in college football, an excellent receiver and return threat, could be a WR or 3rd down back.
Con: Blocking needs work, not an effective inside runner, likely never to be an every down back, may be unable to play full time at WR or RB at an NFL level after bouncing between the two throughout college.
He could add even more flexibility to the Colts offense while taking over kick (and possibly punt) return duties, or we could cut off his hands and attach them to Kenton Keith.

WR, Andre Caldwell, (profile) A big play threat with the hands to catch the most passes in the history of the Florida Gators. Caldwell is fast, runs good routes and is quick out of cuts. At 6 foot 200lbs he looks like the rest of the Colts WR corps.

DT, Frank Okam (profile) a massive 6'5" 320lb DT with quickness, who is likely to be gone long before this pick.

OT/OG, Chad Rinehart (profile) A dominant Left Tackle at the 1-AA level for Northern Iowa, he was all the physical tools to be successful in the NFL at tackle or guard.

OT/OG Heath Benedict (profile) Like Rinehart a small school star, all the tools, but didn't face top competition. Benedict began at Tennessee, but academic problems caused his move to D-II.

FB Jacob Hester (profile) another HB/FB tweener. Good hands, converts short yardage situations often and is great on special teams. Not fast or explosive as a HB and not a powerful lead blocking FB.

Round 4:
TE, Jacob Tamme, again. Better value this time.

WR, DJ Hall (profile) Depth at receiver is good.