Mike Pollak and Mike Hart Headline Quiet Colts Draft Class

As usual, the Colts made few headlines with their draft.  Team President Bill Polian and Coach Tony Dungy clearly had the offensive line in mind, as they took three interior linemen and two tight-ends. 

The defense got a couple contributors as well, but the offense got seven of the nine picks after their depth was tested at all positions due to injuries in 2007.

Second Round:  Mike Pollak—G/C Arizona State

A very typical Colts O-Lineman.  He's a smart, heady player and uses his technique more than his power to get the job done.  He's also versatile.  He played both guard and center in college.  He needs to hit the weight room and get a little stronger to handle the better defensive tackles in the league. 

Pollak will more than likely start at the RG spot opened up after Jake Scott left via free agency, and Dylan Gandy was cut.  He will also serve as C Jeff Saturday's primary back-up.

Third Round:  Philip Wheeler—LB Georgia Tech

Wheeler could play a number of positions for the Colts.  He's a good blitzer and pass rusher, which leads me to believe me may play some DE.  As a LB at Georgia Tech, he had a tendency to be over-aggressive and overrun plays. 

He also plays a little soft, and doesn't like to take on blockers.  Wheeler often gets pushed around too easily.  He also lacks good coverage instincts.  In the Colts Tampa-2, the LBs have to be good in coverage. 

My guess is that Wheeler plays a lot of special teams and provides depth at defensive end and as a situational pass-rusher. 

Fourth Round:  Jacob Tamme—TE Kentucky

After cutting Bryon Fletcher, the Colts had only one TE on the roster, so they drafted two.  Tamme is very undersized, and will more than likely be a Chris Cooley-type H-back or move out to WR. 

He's not a very good blocker, and he also has durability issues.  He is a good receiver, runs good routes, and has good hands.  I don't see Tamme developing quickly enough to fill the No. 2 TE spot. 

As often as the Colts run two TE sets, he could see the field a lot this year.  I expect him to be a good special teamer as well.

Fifth Round:  Marcus Howard—DE/OLB Georgia

Another typical Colts pick—very fast and a bit undersized, Howard fits right into the Robert Mathis mold.  He will have to add some bulk to play defensive line after being a LB in college. 

Howard will provide good depth at DE, which proved to be the weak link in the Colts' defense after Dwight Freeney went down in 2007.  He'll also play on coverage teams.

Sixth Round:  Tom Santi—TE Virginia

Another TE, since the Colts only have one on the roster.  He's a better blocker than Tamme, but not as good of a receiver. Santi has good hands and is a good route runner, but lacks top-end speed. At 6'4", he provides a big target for Peyton Manning to go to when he's in trouble.  He reminds me a lot of Ben Utecht, who left via free agency, though Utecht was a better blocker. 

I think Santi will beat out Tamme for the No. 2 TE spot in two TE sets with Dallas Clark.  

Sixth Round:  Steven Justice—C Wake Forest

Justice is a good pass blocker, but struggles in run blocking.  He doesn't show much lower body strength, and isn't much of a drive-blocker.  As a center, he will get manhandled by bigger DTs.  He may actually be a bit of a project player. 

Justice will provide depth at G/C.

Sixth Round:  Mike Hart—RB Michigan

Hart is a hard runner who lacks top end speed.  He'll get the tough yards, and isn't afraid to take a hit.  The former Wolverine has good hands out of the backfield, and is a good route runner as a RB.  Though vastly undersized to be the kind of workhorse back he was at Michigan, he has been compared to former Colts RB James Mungro. 

Hart will fill the backup spot behind Joseph Addai, and will be a an improvement over Kenton Keith, who will slide to the No. 3 spot.

Sixth Round:  Pierre Garcon—WR Mount Union

Garcon is a good jump-ball receiver, despite being a little short.  He's also a good route runner who adjusts well to bad passes, and will run over the middle. He also has experience as a returner, adding to his ability to make things happen after the catch. makes things happen after the catch. The major flag is that he played DIII ball, and could have problems adjusting to the speed of the NFL

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