2012 NFL Mock Draft Indinapolis Colts: “Suck for Luck” But then Improve Defense
The Indianapolis Colts are the team in the league that is going through the most transition in the N.F.L. They are giving their team a complete make-over. The first thing the Colts did was fire their Front office and replace him with a guy from thePhiladelphia Eagles front office. They then fired Jim Caldwell and hired Chuck Pagano from the Baltimore Ravens. Jim Caldwell was a Tony Dungy disciple. A man who has a calm demeanor and ran a defensive system that was very Tampa two based. Pagano is a firey coach who is closer to Rex Ryan than he is Tony Dungy who comes from a team that runs a 34.
Lastly, the Colts seem likely to release first ballot Hall of Famer (I know that’s a baseball term) Peyton Manning this off-season. To say the Colts are going through a transition would not do the term any justice.
The big question I have is if their new head coach ran a 34 system, how soon will the transition to a 34 come? The Colts expect to be bad this year anyway and they are a team that is filled with aging veterans.
Let’s assume that the Colts decide to switch to the 34 this year, what kind of options could they have in the draft. I think they have enough pieces on offense to be re presentable for this upcoming season, but really need to tweak the defense.
1st round: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford Cardinal
The Colts drafted a pretty good running back prospect last year with Delone Carter and also added two young offensive linemen, they also still have Reggie Wayne, Pierre Garcon, and Dallas Clark so Luck won’t be getting thrown completely into the fire. This is clearly the pick the Colts are making in the first round.
2nd Round Melvin Ingram, DE/DT/OLB South Carolina
Ingram is a perfect fit for the Colts because he is a terrific athlete and has great size. Ingram could play a number of different positions. If the Colts stay with their defensive system they have in place Ingram can play DE and DT on passing downs if they move to a 34 Ingram can become one of their 34 OLB rushers along with Dwight Freeney and Mathis. There is no question that Ingram has ability and is talented, the biggest question about Ingram is what position does he play? He’s 6’2 276 pounds.
3rd Round: Josh Norman, CB, Coastal Carolina
Norman has emerged onto draftnik’s radars with a terrific pre-draft process so far and looks like a top 60 pick now. Norman is physical and really athletic. He has good size and a tough player who attacks the football. Now if the Colts aren’t changing their defensive system anytime soon a player like Casey Hayward is a perfect fit for their system.
4th Round: Harrison Smith, SS, Norte Dame
Smith is an extremely intelligent, physical, instinctive safety. He lacks elite athleticism, but he is huge for a safety at 6’2 214 pounds. Smith always seems to be around the football making plays in big moments. I like Antoine Bethea but think the Colts could upgrade the position next to him. The other thing the Colts need to do on defense is get tough. I just feel like their defense is just soft.
5th Round: Brian Quick, WR, Appalachian State
Quick is different than the other WR on the Colts roster. He’s a big coordinated kid, more like a Mushin Muhammed type of player. He can make some big plays, but he’s more of an under neath possession guy than the type of smaller quicker, shifty types the Colts have. Quick is 6’3 215 pounds.
6th Round: Tydreke Powell, DL, North Carolina
Powell is a talented developmental guy who the Colts can groom for their defense while they transition to the 34 defense. Powell has a lot of talent, but has been inconsistent.
7th Round: William Vlachos, C, Alabama Crimson Tide
I’ve been using Wes Bunting’s Big Board here to create some values for these players, and Bunting writes about Vlachos:
Impression: An undersized, overachiever who plays hard and is rugged inside, just has too many physical limitations for me to give a draftable grade to.
I think more of Vlachos though. Vlachos can take over for Jeff Saturday in the future as he works on his game to be an eventual starter who will be 37 next year.
Thoughts Colts fans?
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