Colts 2015 Draft: Aggregating Report Card Grades from Around the Web

The 2015 NFL draft was filled with plenty of interesting storylines, but no team turned more heads on Thursday than the Indianapolis Colts.

Despite everyone expecting the Colts to draft a defensive player in the first round, they surprised everyone by taking Miami wide receiver Phillip Dorsett with the No. 29 pick. Many criticized the Colts for the selection since they already had plenty of weapons at the position, but some soon realized just how exciting of a weapon that Dorsett could be at the next level.

The other side of the ball was addressed shortly after the Dorsett selection, with the Colts taking four straight defensive prospects. Depth was a concern at multiple positions on defense, but now the Colts have some options if any of their starters go down.

Analysts around the country are split on how they feel about Indianapolis' draft. Personally, I think it will be remembered as a very strong draft down the road, but for now, others aren't as optimistic as I am.

What are some of the critics saying? Let's take a look at some of the grades the Colts were given from around the web after a very busy weekend.

Sports Illustrated

Chris Burke and Doug Farrar: C+

Sports Illustrated's Doug Farrar and Chris Burke are some of the smartest guys in the industry, but they weren't exactly the biggest fans of how the Colts drafted. 

Here is what Burke had to say about the Colts:

"

The Colts caught everyone off-guard at No. 29 with their selection of speedy wide receiver Phillip Dorsett. He is an exciting weapon and a home-run threat whenever he's on the field, but Indianapolis already had Andre Johnson, T.Y. Hilton and Donte Moncrief locked in place at receiver. Sure, sticking to an approach of taking the best player available is generally advisable. The Colts, though, believe they are on the brink of a Super Bowl berth, and it's hard to argue the Dorsett pick got them closer than an upgrade on defense would have.

"

Dorsett has been a widely criticized selection, and I can understand why. However, when looking ahead to the future, Dorsett makes a lot more sense.

Andre Johnson isn't going to be playing forever, and the Colts need impact receivers to keep the offense moving. At the same time, T.Y. Hilton is set to be a free agent after this season, and Dorsett gives them an option in the unlikely event that they can't get their franchise receiver to return.

Although he might not get a ton of snaps as a rookie, the Colts are bound to make sure that Dorsett gets touches. He's too talented to ride the bench, and he should eventually become one of Luck's favorite targets in the near future.

NFL.com

Brian Bahr/Getty Images

Bryan Fischer: B

NFL.com college football writer Bryan Fischer was a bigger fan of the Colts draft than the guys over at Sports Illustrated, especially with the picks they made on the second day.

Fischer liked a lot of the picks, but considered Stanford defensive end Henry Anderson to be a steal, saying:

"

Smith fills a need on defense and was a favorite of many scouts. Anderson is a filthy steal late in the third round and should be a super disruptive player on the defensive line. The Colts really helped close the gap with the Patriots with this class. Defensive needs were addressed, and landing Anderson was a coup, but some of the picks were questionable.

"

Anderson was definitely one of the best picks of the draft for the Colts, who lost Cory Redding to the Arizona Cardinals this offseason. Kendall Langford will likely still be the starter next season, but as Anderson gets reps and adds weight to his frame, he could eventually take over the starting job in 2016.

I'm not as high on D'Joun Smith as a lot of people are, but I do agree that he filled a need. The Colts had no depth at cornerback behind Vontae Davis, Greg Toler and Darius Butler, but now they do in the FAU prospect that can embrace the role as a nickel corner.

CBS Sports

Pete Prisco: B-

Although not a huge fan of the Colts draft, Pete Prisco of CBS Sports acknowledged that the team did add some key players while adding depth to the defense. Here was Prisco's take on the draft for Indianapolis:

"

The Colts got ripped for not drafting power defenders early to help improve the run defense. But getting more speed for Luck is never a bad thing. Just go outscore everybody. Dorsett can fly. Second-round corner D'Joun Smith will help give them depth in the secondary.

"

Like the fans, Prisco expected the Colts to take a defensive prospect like Landon Collins or Malcom Brown in the first round. However, Prisco also recognizes the potential in Dorsett and how he could impact the offense. 

Even as a rookie, Dorsett will get touches, likely playing in the slot while giving the Colts a new dynamic to their offense who could potentially run screens and jet sweeps. At the same time, Dorsett will be able to return kicks and punts for the Colts, and judging from his speed, he may be able to return a couple all the way this coming season.

The Colts still didn't get any instant-impact defensive prospects, which is likely why Prisco's grade isn't as high as it could have been.

ESPN.com

Glenn Andrews-USA TODAY Sports

Mel Kiper Jr.: B-

Like Prisco, ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. wasn't blown away by the Colts draft this year. He noted that the Colts did draft some of his favorite players coming in, but thought they didn't exactly address some of their biggest needs.

The biggest concern for Kiper? The Colts not drafting more protection for Andrew Luck, saying:

"

If there's a big gripe, it's the Colts seem to consistently take for granted that Andrew Luck won't get hurt despite all the hits. They didn't add serious talent at tackle or guard, and I think more bodies and competition up front would make a difference for a team that really should have Super Bowl aspirations. Hopefully, they stay healthy up front. 

"

That's a fair point from Kiper that very few people have talked about. Injuries have plagued the Colts offensive line for years, and while they have added some depth at offensive guard this offseason, there will be some big questions if Anthony Castonzo or Gosder Cherilus go down.

Cherilus is by far the bigger concern since he struggled to stay healthy last year. The Colts could have benefited from bringing in someone that could put pressure on Cherilus for the starting job in training camp, but they were too focused on other needs this past weekend.

SB Nation's Mocking the Draft

Dan Kadar: D+

I'm not sure I found a more pessimistic look at the Colts draft than from Dan Kadar of SB Nation's Mocking the Draft. Obviously, he wasn't a fan of the Dorsett selection, but that wasn't the only thing he didn't like about their draft, saying:

"

I don't understand how the Colts can come out of this draft without drafting a right tackle who can push Gosder Cherilus for the starting job. Dorsett is a fine player and he went in the range should have in the first round. But how many targets is he going to get in that offense?

"

If Kadar is focused on the short-term, then I can understand why the Colts got a low grade. However, I view my grades based off of the potential impact this class will have for the next five years. Players like Smith, Anderson and Parry might not be ready to start now, but they'll get playing time as rookies and be solid pieces to the defense with some more experience.

As for Clayton Geathers, I think that he'll be starting alongside Mike Adams this season. He wasn't the best safety in his class, but he's physical and big enough to embrace the role as the team's starting strong safety.

Overall, Kadar's grade seems a little harsh, even for a pessimistic view of the class.

Final Grades

Darron Cummings/Associated Press

Outlet	Grade
Sports Illustrated	C+
NFL.com	B
CBS Sports	B-
ESPN.com	B-
Mocking the Draft	D+
Bleacher Report	B+

Like I said, I'm more optimistic about the Colts draft when looking at it in the long run. I think that there are a handful of future starters that will come from this draft, and one offensive weapon that could potentially take the league by storm.

Dorsett reminds me of T.Y. Hilton, only more explosive at the line of scrimmage and with more consistent hands. Prior to the draft, Dorsett was one of my top prospects at the receiver position ahead of other first-round receivers like Nelson Agholor and Breshad Perriman.

Defensively, the Colts got two Stanford defensive linemen that will be rotational players as rookies and should immediately help the run defense. In the secondary, Smith will be a reliable option if someone goes down, and Geathers should get the starting job at strong safety.

The late-round selections weren't the flashiest picks, but running back Josh Robinson could make the final 53-man roster behind Frank Gore and Daniel Herron. Amarlo Herrera will likely be better than the other bench options the Colts have at inside linebacker.

Meanwhile, Denzell Goode is a massive offensive tackle prospect that could spend a couple of years on the practice squad before getting a chance to prove himself.

It wasn't the flashiest draft after the first round, but the Colts got better and added depth, which is all you can ask for from a potential Super Bowl contender picking so late in each round.