Indianapolis Colts 2012 Draft: Grading Every One of the Team's Picks

The 2012 NFL Draft for the Indianapolis Colts may have been the most important draft in franchise history. The Colts are coming off of one of their worst seasons in franchise history and are replacing the best quarterback to ever play in this era.

Not only did the Colts release Peyton Manning but they fired the entire coaching staff and the VP. To go along with Manning, most of the familiar names to ever put on a Colts uniform were let go as well.

This means Indianapolis is in a big-time rebuilding mode, which includes different schemes.

Most rebuilding drafts are big, but none have been as important as this one for the Colts. They needed to not only find long-term franchise players, they needed to find guys who can immediately contribute to a new system.

The Colts had 10 picks this past weekend, including the No. 1 pick, and this is the grade I gave each pick.

Andrew Luck, QB (Stanford)

Round 1: Andrew Luck

Grade: A+

I gave this pick the highest grade you could give a pick. The Colts obviously need a new face of this franchise since their franchise player is gone, and Luck was not only the best player in this draft, he also played the same position.

Luck has all the tools to lead the Colts back to prominence, and it could come quickly. He's big, strong and highly accurate.

If the Colts surround Luck correctly, he could—dare I say—be just as good as, if not better than, Manning. They know what they did wrong with placing only enough talent around Manning to win one Super Bowl. I think the Colts know what to do to build around Luck.

I don't think rebuilding mode will take too long with this pick.

Coby Fleener, TE (Stanford)

Round 2: Coby Fleener

Grade: A+

I gave this the highest grade possible as well. Fleener is clearly the best tight end in the draft and is a first-round talent. Indianapolis is extremely lucky for him to fall in its lap.

Fleener is a bigger, faster and stronger version of the man he's replacing: Dallas Clark. I think Fleener will actually be better than Rob Gronkowski, the best tight end in the league last year; Fleener has bigger hands, a better vertical and more speed.

Another reason I love this pick is because Fleener was Luck's favorite target while at Stanford. Tight ends are the best safety valve for a quarterback, so this has to make Luck even more comfortable.

I think this pick will make the Colts a successful franchise for many years to come and could be dangerous for opponents.

Dwayne Allen, TE (Clemson)

Round 3: Dwayne Allen

Grade: A-

The only reason this grade isn't an A is because I was hoping for Rueben Randle or defensive tackle Brandon Thompson here. Unfortunately, Randle was taken literally the pick before, and the Colts didn't want to take Thompson yet (I guess).

I do think Allen will help tremendously. He's big and strong, and he will help stretch the field.

The NFL is turning into a tight end's league. Look at the top offenses last year: The Saints, Patriots and Packers all utilized their tight ends as big weapons.

The Patriots used their dual-tight end set effectively, and I think the Colts will. No defense can defend Allen and Fleener, and they will draw attention between the hashes to open up the outside for Reggie Wayne and the other receivers.

I think Allen's impact will be felt as soon as next season, as Allen and Fleener will be a bigger and better version of former Colts tight ends Marcus Pollard and Ken Dilger.

T.Y. Hilton, WR (Florida International)

Round 3: T.Y.Hilton

Grade: B+

I was really hoping for Brandon Thompson at this pick since he was still there. With the trade, I thought that's who the Colts were going for.

Instead, they shocked me by drafting Hilton.

I thought picking four offensive players in a row without a defender was a little surprising considering how many holes the Colts had on defense, but I believe Hilton will be highly effective.

That's why I gave this a B+.

Hilton will not only help the offense but he will finally give the Colts a return game. That's something they haven't had since the Aaron Bailey days in the mid-1990s. Hilton ran a 4.36 40-yard dash time, with his best recorded time being a 4.24. He's extremely fast, which makes up for his smaller stature at 5'10" and 188 pounds.

The new offensive system in which the Colts brought from Pittsburgh is definitely why they chose Hilton. Pittsburgh has drafted smaller but faster receivers for a while now, and that's why Hilton is a Colt.

I think he can help not only in the slot but to Luck's left side as well. He will be quick enough for out routes or short crossing routes over the middle, with Fleener or Allen going long between the hashes.

I think Hilton can become a Wes Welker in the Colts' system.

Josh Chapman, DT (Alabama)

Round 5: Josh Chapman

Grade: B+

Chapman was the first defensive player taken by the Colts in the draft, and he's immediately going to be a huge force.

The Colts are changing from a base 4-3 to a base 3-4 on defense, so they are in desperate need of a nose tackle. That's a new term we're not familiar with here in Indy.

Chapman is a big guy at 6'1" and 316 pounds. He commands double-teams and is extremely tough and physical.

With Chapman taking on double-teams, that means Pat Angerer can be an even bigger force in the defense. That will help stop the run if the Colts fill their gaps.

Another thing Chapman brings is toughness. He tore his ACL on Oct. 1, 2011 against Florida, played out the rest of the season and was a big part of Alabama's National Championship with a torn ACL.

If Chapman can do that last year, what do you think he can do when healthy with Indy?

Vick Ballard, RB (Mississippi State)

Round 5: Vick Ballard

Grade: B+

The Colts released Joseph Addai, so they were in need of an effective running back. They do have Donald Brown and second-year man Delone Carter on the roster, but I think Ballard will help and could honestly contend for the starting job by midseason.

For those of you who don't know about Ballard, he's a strong, explosive back. He's only 5'10", but he weighs 217 pounds.

Ballard's best season was in 2010; he scored a school record 20 touchdowns with 19 of them coming on the ground. He also had a 5.2 yards per carry average and 968 yards rushing.

Last season, he didn't have as many touchdowns, but Ballard had way more yards. He had 1,189 yards on 193 attempts, which equates out to a 6.2 yards per carry average. He scored 10 touchdowns as well.

I think Ballard is effective, and he and Carter can make a very tough combination for years to come.

LaVon Brazill, WR (Ohio)

Round 6: LaVon Brazill

Grade: B-

I wasn't expecting the Colts to take another offensive player here, especially a wide receiver.

Brazill will have to show us he belongs at a position that now has a ton of depth with Reggie Wayne, Austin Collie, Donnie Avery and T.Y. Hilton.

Brazill is another smaller, but speedy receiver. He's 5'11", 191 pounds and can help fill a slot spot. He was the MVP of the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl and second-team All-Mid-American Conference.

I think Brazill is a good addition overall, and I can't wait to see what he can do.

Justin Anderson, OT (Georgia)

Round 7: Justin Anderson

Grade: B-

The Colts signed some offensive linemen in the offseason to try rebuilding this line. I think drafting Anderson will help, but once again, I was wanting some defenders here.

Anderson is a big lineman, and I think he could be moved to guard, as he's 6'5" and 342 pounds. He brings some weight, which the line needs. If he stays at tackle, he will be to Luck's right side opposite of 2011 first-round pick Anthony Castonzo.

One thing Anderson needs, though, is experience; he's only played on the line for one season. He did start all 14 games for the Bulldogs last year, but I want to see what he can do in the pros.

With the proper teaching, I think Anderson can help, and with his size, I know he will.

Tim Fugger, DE (Vanderbilt)

Round 7: Tim Fugger

Grade: B

The Colts went with their second defensive pick here, and it was once again help for the line.

Fugger is big at 6'4" and 250 pounds, and he can play defensive end. That helps in that he can immediately start and help move either Dwight Freeney or Robert Mathis to the outside linebacking spot.

This is a big help since it helps transition the move to the 3-4 and adds beef to the line.

I like this pickup and can see Fugger helping this season.

Chandler Harnish, QB (Northern Illinois)

Round 7: Chandler Harnish

Grade: D

I have nothing against Chandler Harnish, and I think he can actually be a decent quarterback.

I just don't like this pick here.

I feel the Colts needed all 10 picks for immediate help, even with Mr. Irrelevant, so drafting another quarterback wasn't needed.

The Colts now have Andrew Luck and they signed Drew Stanton, so they're set at this position. They really needed a corner or linebacker here, and plenty of players at both these positions were left to chose from.

I don't see Harnish being on this roster past the preseason, and I feel this was a wasted pick. That's why I didn't grade this very highly.