Colts Mock Draft: Instant Contributors Indianapolis Can Find in Every Round
With a month remaining until the 2015 NFL draft, the Indianapolis Colts remain hard at work preparing for what could be a defining moment in the franchise's history.
Head coach Chuck Pagano remains unextended, as the Colts will use the 2015 season as a barometer before re-signing him for the future. General manager Ryan Grigson seems to be in a similar boat, and as Bleacher Report's Cian Fahey says, holes in the roster make the 2015 draft a crucial one.
The Colts have nine picks in the 2015 draft, with each of their first two picks intact for the first time since the team's stellar 2012 draft. The team hopes for a similar haul in 2015, which will be difficult considering they were 28 picks higher in that draft.
One of the things that sticks out about the Colts' needs at this particular time is the variety. Indianapolis needs both instant contributors and long-term core pieces, and will be looking to fill holes through the draft. Today, we look for players who can come to Indianapolis and contribute from Day 1, rather than fit as long-term projects.
1st Round
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Pick No. 29: ILB Eric Kendricks, UCLA
Outside of drafting safety Landon Collins in the first round, the most immediate contributors I can find in the draft revolve around a defensive lineman who drops to No. 29 or inside linebacker Eric Kendricks.
Since I project Kendricks to be a better player than any of the linemen likely to be around at No. 29 (call me if Malcom Brown or Arik Armstead are still on the board), he's the first pick.
Kendricks is the best in coverage of the upper-tier linebackers, something that was a weakness for the Colts in 2015. This was especially noticeable in the losses to the New England Patriots, where the Colts linebackers struggled both in coverage and against the run.
With Kendricks' ability to cover, he can immediately compete for a nickel linebacker job. Kendricks also has the upside working downhill against the run to project as D'Qwell Jackson's long-term replacement.
Scout's Take
"To me, Eric Kendricks is the best "off-ball" LB in the class, and I don't think it's very close. Could play MLB but would flourish as WLB.
— Chris Trapasso (@ChrisTrapasso) March 27, 2015"
2nd Round
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Pick No. 61: RB Ameer Abdullah, Nebraska
Every time I do one of these mock drafts, I end up fitting a running back in somewhere between the second or third rounds. It simply makes too much sense to bypass a position that's chock-full of talent in these rounds, especially because of the immediate contributions that a running back can make.
The Colts signed Frank Gore in the offseason to start, but like San Francisco realized last year, bringing in a young back to complement Gore and take some of the load off his shoulders is the best way to preserve him for the long season.
Somebody like Ameer Abdullah would provide the perfect foil to Gore's powerful skill set. While Gore can still win with patience and strength, Abdullah is one of the most athletic, agile backs in the draft and would be a fantastic receiving option out of the backfield. While I think Abdullah can certainly win on the ground—and could be a long-term option as a bell-cow starter—he could make a tremendous impact simply by getting the ball in space as a rookie.
Contribute there as a rookie and learn from Gore on the ground to prepare for full-time duties later on, and Abdullah could be a steal for Indianapolis.
Scout's Take
"I haven't graded any RB except Abdullah yet, but he has a RD1 grade from me. Have had it since December, nothing has changed @Ameerguapo
— Brandon Thorn (@VeteranScout) March 13, 2015"
3rd Round
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Pick No. 93: S Derron Smith, Fresno State
You can't talk about instant contributors for the Indianapolis Colts without bringing up the safety position.
With 34-year-old Mike Adams as the only returning safety that has played more than 40 snaps over the last three seasons, the Colts have yet to figure out their starting tandem at the position. The team could sign a veteran to play with Adams, but that has yet to happen, and it likely won't until the Colts find out what is available in the draft.
If they're unable to draft Alabama's Landon Collins in the first round, one of the few remaining safeties that could start right away is Fresno State's Derron Smith. Because of Smith's versatility in both attacking the line of scrimmage and dropping back into deep zone coverage, he would be an immediate fit in the Colts' ever-evolving defense.
Smith does an excellent job of attacking passing lanes, racking up 13 interceptions from 2012-2013. He was asked to do too much for Fresno State in 2014 with a lack of talent surrounding him, but on the right team, he could contribute immediately in the NFL. In Indianapolis, with a veteran secondary filled with players like Adams, Vontae Davis and Greg Toler, Smith would be in a much better situation.
Scout's Take
"Derron Smith has insane instincts, ball skills, football IQ, speed, agressive. He's an aggressive attacker. Has great range.
— Jayson Braddock (@JaysonBraddock) March 16, 2015"
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4th Round
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Pick No. 128: CB Kevin White, TCU
While the Colts have set starters for their first three cornerbacks, the depth and long-term starting options at the position are relatively nonexistent.
The Colts still need a dime corner to add to the group, although recently signed Deveron Carr could potentially fill that role. But Carr did miss the entire 2014 season after being cut by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last August, and he shouldn't be counted on as a guarantee by any means. If you can upgrade, you do it.
One potential dime corner that I really like is Kevin White of TCU. Although White is just 5'9", he plays much bigger than his size and should be an excellent addition as a nickel or dime back early in his career. White first came onto my radar after shutting down West Virginia star receiver Kevin White last season. The TCU corner doesn't have great measurables, but mirrors receivers well and has solid technique.
Scout's Take
"Watch TCU CB @2KWHITE5 vs. this Bubble Screen. He was physical vs. WR Kevin White and kept contain. Textbook: https://t.co/l1ocZU4yN7
— Robert Olson (@RobertOlson92) March 29, 2015"
5th Round
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Pick No. 165: DT Xavier Williams, Northern Iowa
While I hate to leave the defensive line untouched until this late, a draft focused on instant contributors is likely going to steer away from defensive linemen for Indianapolis.
On one hand, yes, Indianapolis needs a defensive lineman. You don't allow the New England Patriots to eviscerate your defense up the middle in back-to-back matchups and then fail to address it in the offseason.
But on the other hand, the line's starters are likely set unless a big name drops in the first round. With free-agent addition Kendall Langford, former fifth-round pick Josh Chapman and 2014 free-agent signing Arthur Jones, I doubt we see anybody else crack the starting line barring injuries.
The team still needs depth as well, however, and Xavier Williams out of Northern Iowa could contribute there right away. Williams is a mass in the middle at 6'2", 309 pounds, and holds his weight extremely well to stay active moving up and down the line. With his size and his strong motor, Williams could jump in as a rookie and contribute immediately. Williams has room to grow in certain areas, but with his strengths and high-level character, he wouldn't be limited to a developmental role.
Scout's Take
"Xavier is #good RT @FirstRoundGrade: NEW on @draftbreakdown from @johnowning: A look at Xavier Williams DL #UNI: http://t.co/7unPM9C7xu
— Justin Higdon (@afc2nfc) January 31, 2015"
6th Round
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Pick No. 204: OT Andrew Donnal, Iowa
The Colts need tackle depth on the offensive line with potential guard contributions, which is exactly where Donnal fits. Donnal has tackle size (6'6", 313 pounds) and experience both inside and out on the offensive line. Though he's limited athletically, he is strong technically. Though he was disappointing on the bench press at the combine (17), he worked and raised that number to 23 at the Iowa pro day.
Scout's Take
"Iowa OL Andrew Donnal has been impressing me in drills. Good technique, keeps square and low.
— Shane P. Hallam (@ShanePHallam) February 20, 2015"
Pick No. 206: WR Chris Harper, California
Like a few other positions we've discussed, wide receiver is fairly set at the top of the roster. T.Y. Hilton and Andre Johnson will be the starters, with second-year receiver Donte Moncrief coming in third. The team also signed CFL standout Duron Carter to develop. But the one area the team could still use an addition is as a depth slot receiver.
Cal's Chris Harper could fit that role well after leaving school early. He did not receive a combine invite and has slid under the radar, but he's an underrated receiver. He's small at 5'11", 176 pounds, but he has solid hands and good technique that allow him to utilize his opportunities efficiently. Harper doesn't have elite speed, but he has enough with his route-running ability to get open against NFL-quality talent.
Scout's Take
"Best route runner I've seen on film this year is Cal WR Chris Harper. Lightning fast in & out of breaks. Sets guys up & attacks techniques.
— Jordan Plocher (@StarvingScout) January 30, 2015"
7th Round
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Pick No. 244: ILB Trey DePriest, Alabama
At this point in the draft, the immediate contributors are mainly going to be players that can contribute on special teams, and that means looking at a lot of linebackers and defensive backs.
Former Alabama linebacker Trey DePriest can contribute immediately on special teams as a big hitter, but he has the potential to be a depth run-stuffing linebacker for Indianapolis as well. The Colts had Andrew Jackson filling this role, but Jackson was cut after being arrested for DUI in January, his second in a year.
Scout's Take
"Looks for contact and is a willing participant. Will step into the hole and deliver a blow against iso-blocks. Fires himself into oncoming guards and rarely gets engulfed.
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Pick No. 255: CB Julian Wilson, Oklahoma
If the previous corner taken in this draft was undersized, why not try to balance it out with a big, long corner?
Oklahoma senior Julian Wilson is 6'2", 205 pounds, with the prototypical size for a press-man cornerback. He ran his 40-yard dash in under 4.5 seconds at the Oklahoma pro day, according to Dane Brugler of NFLDraftScout.com, and his physical prowess could give him an early edge on special teams as the team tried to develop him, whether it be at cornerback or safety.
Scout's Take
"Good-looking athlete in uniform with desired size in secondary. Was willing to play through a broken thumb in 2014. Has taken snaps at safety spots in sub packages. Heralded high school sprinter with blazing straight-line speed ... Showed he could bail and run with just about every receiver he faced in Big 12.
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