NFL1000: Indianapolis Colts 2017 NFL Draft Preview
The Colts made a lot of moves this offseason, but the most important transaction without question was the firing of general manager Ryan Grigson. Throughout his tenure with the team, Grigson had a truly worrisome streak of bad drafts and abysmal trades (Trent Richardson, anyone?) and the lack of personnel acumen in the building was starting to show on the field.
Two straight 8-8 records after three straight 11-5 marks in the Andrew Luck era were enough for owner Jim Irsay. And after having to try to play referee between Grigson and head coach Chuck Pagano, Irsay had seen enough.
Replacing Grigson will be former Chiefs Director of Player Personnel Chris Ballard, one of the most respected personnel evaluators in the league. It will be Ballard’s job to restock the team through the draft and acquire the right kind of free-agent talent along the way.
Ballard was busy in his first offseason in Indy. The Colts signed a number of free agents, with end Jabaal Sheard, defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins, linebacker John Simon and receiver Kamar Aiken as the standouts.
There are a ton of needs as Ballard transitions to the draft—start with pass-rushers, running backs and cornerbacks—but for the first time in a long time, the Colts appear to be in the hands of a chief executive who understands the nuances of team-building and will work in step with the coaching staff to make sure it happens.
Methodology
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The NFL1000 team of scouts graded a series of important attributes for every player in their positional reviews. Using a scale starting at zero and going up to anywhere from five to 50 based on the position and the attribute, our scouts graded each player based on their own expertise and countless hours of tape review over the years. Our evaluators had specific positional assignments in their fields of expertise.
- Doug Farrar: Lead scout/quarterbacks
- John Middlekauff: Running backs/fullbacks
- Marcus Mosher: Wide receivers/tight ends
- Mark Schofield: Wide receivers/tight ends
- Duke Manyweather: Offensive tackles
- Ethan Young: Offensive guards
- Joe Goodberry: AFC defensive ends
- Justis Mosqueda: NFC defensive ends
- Charles McDonald: Defensive tackles
- Zach Kruse: 3-4 outside linebackers
- Derrik Klassen: 4-3 outside linebackers
- Jerod Brown: Inside linebackers
- Kyle Posey: Cornerbacks
- Ian Wharton: Cornerbacks
- Mark Bullock: Safeties
- Chuck Zodda: Special teams
Each corresponding position slide was written by the assigned scout.
Quarterback
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Scheme: Air Coryell/Hybrid
Starter: Andrew Luck
NFL1000 Scores: 76.1/100
NFL1000 Position Rank: 3/38
No marquee player suffered more for the incompetence of his general manager than Luck did in 2016, and one has to imagine Luck silently cheering the switch from Ryan Grigson to Chris Ballard.
In his NFL career, Luck has gone from Bruce Arians’ expansive passing game (which he was able to master in his rookie season) to Pep Hamilton’s reductive system—and he was running that with a subpar offensive line, a good but aging running back in Frank Gore, one top receiver in T.Y. Hilton and a defense that forced the offense to play catch-up far too often.
That he threw for 31 touchdowns and 13 interceptions under those circumstances speaks loudly to Luck’s talent, and anyone who believes that Luck is in decline could be in for a rude awakening as Ballard starts to fill out the roster and new offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski adds a bit more of the vertical passing game to the picture.
Backup: Scott Tolzien
NFL1000 Scores: Did not have enough snaps to qualify
Tolzien started in place of Andrew Luck against the Steelers as Luck was dealing with a concussion. He completed 23 of 37 passes for 216 yards and a touchdown but was intercepted twice in the fourth quarter in a 28-7 loss. Overall, Tolzien is a passable backup with a decent arm who struggles when he’s tested to throw deep.
Backup: Stephen Morris
NFL1000 Scores: Did not have enough snaps to qualify
Signed from the Eagles’ practice squad in 2015, Morris had a decent preseason, which led to his promotion to the final 53-man roster. He was waived a couple of times during the season as injured Colts came back to play, but he appears to be in the team’s future plans to a point. He’s a smaller athletic quarterback who needs to refine his decision-making.
Team Need: 5/10
Potential Draft Fits: Nathan Peterman (Pitt), C.J. Beathard (Iowa)
Running Back
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Scheme: Power
Starter: Frank Gore
NFL1000 Scores: 71.6/100
NFL1000 Position Rank: 28/82
Frank Gore, even at 33 years old, still finds a way to be a productive NFL starter. While Gore no longer has his great quickness, he still ran for over 1,000 yards for the ninth time in his career. He also continues to contribute in the passing game, adding 38 catches and four touchdowns.
Gore hangs his hat on his patience and vision. His ability to function behind a poor offensive line because of his instincts and quick feet is a special attribute.
Gore has never had the top end speed but still has the play speed to move the chains. He struggles outside the tackles, but this has never been an area in which he has excelled. In the passing game, Gore is still one of the best pass protectors in the NFL. He's just an absolute hammer and is as tough as any player in the league. In the passing game he has soft hands, catches everything and is a threat in the red zone. He had four receiving touchdowns in 2016, which was a career high.
While Gore still sits atop the depth chart, he is probably best suited to back up a highly drafted runner in 2017.
Backup: Robert Turbin
NFL1000 Scores: 66.7/100
NFL1000 Position Rank: 74/82
Robert Turbin operated as the Colts backup and short yardage running back in 2016. With Frank Gore on the roster, he did not make one start. He was productive in the red zone, with seven rushing touchdowns, despite not having a run over 18 yards on the season.
Turbin is an average player with average play speed, but he does have good power between the tackles. He is strong in goal-line situations and can run through tackles. Turbin will break arm tackles in the red zone and was reliable in that area in 2016. He is not a threat to run outside the tackles.
Turbin is a solid checkdown option with good hands and was a consistent option for Luck in the flat. Depending on who they draft, Turbin should compete for the backup job heading into training camp.
Backup: Josh Ferguson
NFL1000 Scores: 66.1/100
NFL1000 Position Rank: 79/82
Josh Ferguson, an undrafted free agent, made the team because of the limited depth at the position. He played a limited role on offense, only getting 15 carries, but was productive in the passing game with 20 catches.
Ferguson is just an average runner. He has limited play speed, wiggle and burst. His job will be in major jeopardy if the Colts' new GM drafts a running back or brings in competition. Ferguson is not his guy and is not good enough to have a guaranteed roster spot. He will need a big training camp regardless to help ensure he is on a 53-man roster in 2017.
Team Need: 9/10
Potential Draft Fits: Christian McCaffrey (Stanford), Dalvin Cook (Florida State), Joe Mixon (Oklahoma)
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Wide Receiver
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Scheme: Air Coryell/Hybrid
Starter: T.Y. Hilton
NFL1000 Scores: 72.0/100
NFL1000 Position Ranking: 6/155
Hilton finished 2016 with the best season of his career, catching 91 passes for 1,448 yards and six touchdowns, with the receptions and yardage numbers standing as career bests. Those statistics were reflected in the final NFL1000 rankings, as he finished in the top 10 among wide receivers.
Areas where he stands out are many: He is a very effective route-runner who is quick into and out of his breaks, and he can operate along the boundary, underneath and down the field with equal competence and skill. In addition, Hilton is dangerous after the catch, and while the Colts look to push the football down the field in the passing game, when they use him underneath, he can turn short throws into big plays.
While his size is more in line with a Z receiver or even a slot receiver, his ability against the press and along the sideline allows him to function as an X receiver in the Indianapolis offensive structure.
Hilton is set to turn 28 near the end of the 2017 season and is in the prime of his career. Barring injury, you can expect Hilton to turn in his fifth-straight 1,000-yard season in the year ahead.
Starter: Donte Moncrief
NFL1000 Scores: 66.9/100
NFL1000 Position Ranking: 55/155
Moncrief’s numbers took a step back in 2016, as the young receiver out of Mississippi battled through shoulder and hamstring injuries. He appeared in only nine games, with seven credited starts, and in that time he caught 30 passes for 307 yards but with an impressive seven touchdowns.
When he is healthy, Moncrief is a talented and effective receiver. He can beat press at the line of scrimmage rather easily, using a combination of play strength and quick feet. But he is also effective against off coverage, and with his background as a track athlete (he was one of the best long jumpers in Mississippi during his high school days) his explosiveness and change of direction allow him to sell defenders on routes and get separation on his breaks.
Moncrief fits the mold of an X receiver in the Colts offense, and when healthy he is a perfect complement to Hilton on the other side of the field. If he can stay in the lineup in 2017, the Indianapolis offense should be in for a very strong season.
Starter: Phillip Dorsett
NFL1000 Scores: 64.1/100
NFL1000 Position Ranking: 84/155
The Colts turned many heads in 2015 when they selected Dorsett in the first round of the NFL draft. For a team with some holes on the defensive side of the football, going with a wide receiver was a bit of a stunner. But Dorsett is a talented deep threat with the long speed to stretch a defense vertically, something that fits well with the offensive style in Indianapolis.
However, his rookie season was a mixed bag, as he lost five games due to a broken fibula. In 2016, his numbers improved, as he caught 33 passes for 528 yards and two touchdowns.
At his best he is a downfield burner, as shown on his 64-yard touchdown against Jacksonville in Week 4 last year, when he simply outran the defense on a post route, erasing the pre-snap cushion and hauling in a perfect throw from Luck for the score.
Dorsett should be the clear WR3 for the Colts given his talent. But with the signing of Kamar Aiken and the growth of Chester Rogers, he might need an impressive training camp to hang onto that spot.
Backup: Kamar Aiken
NFL1000 Scores: 62.6/100
NFL1000 Position Ranking: 102/155
Kamar Aiken was unable to duplicate his strong season of 2015, as his numbers were a big drop from his 75-reception, 944-yard effort two years prior. He caught 29 passes for 328 yards last year for a single touchdown.
At age 27, Aiken remains a good WR3 option for many teams and will press Dorsett for that spot in Indianapolis. At his size (6’2”) he is an effective depth option at either the Z position or in the slot. He can operate over the middle of the field on seam and post routes and can also work to find space underneath on quick hitch routes and curls against zone coverage.
Aiken is also solid against the press and can get solid releases off the line, so an offense does not need to move him around to avoid the press at the line of scrimmage. While not his strong suit, Aiken is a willing blocker who can execute crack blocks near the line of scrimmage and will try to find work downfield in the run game or after a reception by a teammate.
Backup: Chester Rogers
NFL1000 Scores: 62.2/100
NFL1000 Position Ranking: 109/155
Rookie Chester Rogers saw a good deal of playing time last season, both as a punt returner and as a situational receiver for the Colts. He appeared in 14 games, catching 19 passes for 273 yards on the year.
He has the quickness to extend separation when facing off coverage, particularly on in cuts like dig patterns or post patterns, and the toughness to go over the middle, as he showed on a post route against Jacksonville in Week 17. Rogers is also dangerous after the catch, and while his vertical ability is a great fit for the Colts offense, he can operate underneath on shallow routes and turn quick throws into long gains.
This was on display in Week 6 against Houston, when he ran a simple drag route and, after catching a pass only three yards downfield, made multiple defenders miss en route to a 36-yard gain.
He enters a crowded WR room, with the addition of Aiken, but his skill set makes him a good piece for the Colts offense. Even if he cannot crack into the WR3 spot, expect him to see significant playing time in 2017.
Team Need: 1/10
Potential Draft Fits: None
Tight End
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Scheme: Air Coryell/Hybrid
Starter: Jack Doyle
NFL1000 Scores: 66.5/1000
NFL1000 Position Ranking: 18/96
If you had any doubts about how much the Indianapolis Colts believed in Jack Doyle, they were likely erased this offseason, when the organization traded Dwayne Allen to the New England Patriots. But looking back on Doyle’s 2016 season makes the move less of a surprise.
The former Western Kentucky Hilltopper emerged as a focal point for the Colts offense last year, catching 59 passes for 584 yards and five touchdowns, all career highs. He was used both as a pure tight end and as more of an H-Back, and in the latter capacity he was often the lead blocker for the Colts in the running game.
While his blocking grade for the NFL1000 project placed him in the top 10 in that trait among tight ends, his value in the passing game cannot be ignored. Doyle ran effective routes for the Colts, including outs, options, stick routes, crossing routes and seam routes. He was able to get separation from most defenders and has the footwork and upper body strength to work off most jams at or near the line of scrimmage. He was pretty strong at the catch point as well, winning in many contested throw situations and not committing many drops.
Yet to turn 27, Doyle looks to be the featured TE for Indianapolis for the next few seasons.
Backup: Erik Swoope
NFL1000 Scores: 59.1/100
NFL1000 Position Ranking: 76/96
The former Miami Hurricane solidified his role with the Colts last season as their third tight end, appearing in all 16 games. While he was used primarily as a blocker to start the season, down the stretch he became more of a factor in the passing game and enjoyed his best statistical performance against the Vikings in Week 15.
In that contest, Swoope caught all three of his targets for 50 yards and a touchdown. The score came on a wheel route, where he was lined up as an in-line tight end but was able to get separation on the downfield route and made the catch for the score. That game against Minnesota also showed his versatility at the tight end spot, as he lined up in the backfield, on the line and split out wide.
He has the potential and raw talent to develop into a solid TE2, and with the departure of Allen to New England, he will get his chance.
Backup: Brandon Williams
NFL1000 Scores: 57.5/100
NFL1000 Position Ranking: 89/96
Williams served as the third tight end for the Seahawks last season, behind Jimmy Graham and Luke Willson. He appeared in all 16 games for Seattle in 2016, notching only two catches on the year for 36 yards (a somewhat impressive 18.0 yards per reception average).
He has been used mostly as a blocker throughout his NFL career, and while he is not overpowering at the point of contact, he can be trusted to serve as an extra blocker in short-yardage and goal-line situations.
Set to turn 30 during the 2017 season, he may have reached his ceiling as an NFL tight end but can still serve as a TE3.
Team Need: 3/10
Potential Draft Fits: Evan Engram (Mississippi), Jake Butt (Michigan), Adam Shaheen (Ashland University), Cole Hikutini (Louisville), Gerald Everett (South Alabama)
Left Tackle
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Scheme: Zone
Starter: Anthony Castonzo
NFL1000 Scores: 72.1
NFL1000 Position Rank: 24/40
Anthony Castonzo enters his seventh season in the NFL, all of his seasons having been with Indianapolis, where he has notched 89 career regular-season starts.
Castonzo is an above-average run-blocker who can create movement at the point of attack and win the edge on outside runs. But at times he struggles to find consistency in some areas of pass protection, especially anchoring against speed to power defensive moves, which has put the former 2011 22nd overall pick under scrutiny at various points in his career.
Despite the outside naysayers, Indianapolis extended Castonzo’s contract prior to the 2015 season, and the reality is that there aren't 32 left tackles who all perform at an above-average level all the time, so teams still place great value on adequate-to-solid play.
At this point in his career, Castonzo, overall, is an adequate starting left tackle who can turn in above-average play when he is hitting on all cylinders.
Backup: Le’Raven Clark
NFL1000 Scores: Did not have enough snaps to qualify
Le’Raven Clark was drafted in the third round of the 2016 draft and possesses tremendous physical traits but lacked consistency in his overall game while at Texas Tech.
Clark started three games at right tackle as a rookie and flashed promise, but again consistency was a glaring issue, specifically the nuances of pass protection technique.
Clark will be in competition with fellow second-year tackle Joe Haeg for a starting right tackle role, with the loser to serve as the swing tackle.
Team Need: 0/10
Potential Draft Fits: None—could consider bringing camp competition with undrafted free agents
Right Tackle
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Scheme: Zone
Starter: Joe Haeg
NFL1000 Scores: 66.7
NFL1000 Position Rank: 36/38
Indianapolis drafted Joe Haeg in the fifth round with the 155th overall pick in the 2016 draft out of FCS powerhouse North Dakota State.
Haeg started 14 games for the Colts as a rookie, with seven starts at right tackle, four starts at left guard and three starts at right guard.
He held his own when playing on the interior offensive line from the start but really struggled to adjust to the play speed of the NFL when he was on the edge at right tackle. It was not until late in the season that Haeg began to look comfortable at right tackle, as it seemed as if the game slowed down for him just a bit.
Haeg figures to compete with Le’Raven Clark for the starting right tackle slot.
Backup: Jeremy Vujnovich
NFL1000 Scores: Did not have enough snaps to qualify
Jeremy Vujnovich was a 2013 undrafted free agent out of Division III Louisiana College who was eventually signed by Green Bay in 2014. Vujnovich has appeared in one regular-season game.
Team Need: 0/10
Potential Draft Fits: None
Offensive Guard
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Scheme: Zone
Starter: Jack Mewhort
NFL1000 Scores: 72.5
NFL1000 Position Rank: 13/78
Jack Mewhort had trouble staying in the lineup last year, but his medical being so all over the place made his consistent seal in pass pro and strong presence in the run game even more impressive. He should be a staple of this Colts OL going forward, and between him and Ryan Kelly, the LION A-Gap should be tough to attack going forward.
Starter: Denzelle Good
NFL1000 Scores: 68.2
NFL1000 Position Rank: 57.78
This starting spot is completely up for grabs and really depends a lot on what the Colts want to do at right tackle. Joe Haeg is probably the best option for this spot, but you can say that about Haeg at right tackle as well, given his main competition is the raw Le’Raven Clark.
The other options are the powerful Good, the Saints' opening day right guard starter last year, or potentially incoming free-agent signing Brian Schwenke.
Given all the bodies, drafting a guard shouldn’t be necessary, as they won’t have much place to put this potential rookie deeper on the chart. An answer would be nice, but given the Colts' positioning and needs, I’m not sure that makes the most sense.
Backup: Brian Schwenke
NFL1000 Scores: Did not have enough snaps to qualify
I’m a bit surprised Brian Schwenke didn’t get much interest as a center given his background there and the poor market for the position. That said, he’s a steady depth option allowing the Colts to draft BPA in the first half of the draft.
Team Need: 0/10
Potential Draft Fits: None
Center
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Scheme: Zone
Starter: Ryan Kelly
NFL1000 Scores: 73
NFL1000 Position Rank: 3/38
Ryan Kelly was downright dominant at times last year, and his blend of toughness, play strength, active feet and strong hands allows him to succeed in both the run and pass game. He is already one of the premier centers in the league coming off his rookie year, and the next step for him is getting just a bit more consistent rep in and rep out.
Backup: Austin Blythe
NFL1000 Scores: Did not have enough snaps to qualify
Like Brian Schwenke, Blythe’s background at both guard and center may be his most distinguishing trait. If Blythe wants to factor into the Colts' interior OL plans going forward, though, he needs to improve his play strength to stick. Given all the youth and versatility up front, the Colts may not even have to address this position at all in the draft.
Team Need: 0/10
Potential Draft Fits: None
Defensive End
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Scheme: 3-4
Backup: Arthur Jones
NFL1000 Score: 61.8/100
NFL1000 Position Rank: 34/53
Only starting eight games and playing 322 total snaps in 2016, Arthur Jones didn't have a big impact on the Colts defense and I have to think they're interested in upgrading from him. At this point in his career, and turning 31 years old soon, Jones isn't guaranteed a roster spot heading into 2017.
Backup: Henry Anderson
NFL1000 Score: 60.0/100
NFL1000 Position Rank: 41/53
Henry Anderson was once a favorite prospect of the draft world, but after a solid rookie season, Anderson missed a big chunk of 2016 and only started two games for the Colts. The upside and potential are still there, but in 308 snaps, Anderson rarely looked like his old self. If he can regain some athleticism and move a step forward in 2017, he should end up taking the majority of DE snaps for Indianapolis.
Backup: Margus Hunt
NFL1000 Score: 60.4/100
NFL1000 Position Rank: 66/68 (Graded at 4-3 DE)
Margus Hunt was going to be relied upon a bunch in Cincinnati this past season but failed to make an impact on defense, and the Bengals cut his play time as the season wore on. In 322 snaps, Hunt was credited with seven tackles and zero sacks. He was a ghost out there and really has been his entire career.
Backup: Kendall Langford
NFL1000 Score: 55.5/100
NFL1000 Position Rank: 52/53
Kendall Langford stepped in for the Colts and played quality snaps (301) as injuries struck the Indy defensive line. The problem was that he didn't do much positively at all. Most of the time he looked lost, stiff and disinterested in playing.
The defensive end spot is definitely an area the Colts should look to upgrade in this deep draft class.
Team Need: 8/10
Potential Draft Fits: Jonathan Allen (Alabama), Malik McDowell (Michigan State)
Defensive Tackle
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Scheme: 3-4
Starter: Johnathan Hankins
NFL1000 Scores: 69.7/100
NFL1000 Position Rank: 17/99
Indianapolis got an immense upgrade on its defensive line when it recently signed Johnathan Hankins. Hankins is a natural nose tackle who had to play a bit of three technique last year due to the addition of Damon Harrison. The Colts arguably had the worst front seven in the league last year. Adding a rugged nose tackle like Hankins who can provide pass rush was a brilliant move by new GM Chris Ballard.
While signing Hankins was huge for the Colts, they still need to find a solid backup for Hankins. That player currently isn’t on the roster.
Backup: T.Y. McGill
NFL1000 Scores: 59.9/100
NFL1000 Position Rank: 77/99
T.Y. McGill has rare moments when he flashes the ability to be a penetrator along the defensive line, but those plays are few and far between. He wasn’t a positive presence as a run defender or a pass-rusher. Even though he’s the backup defensive tackle to Hankins, McGill should still be upgraded in the draft.
Backup: David Parry
NFL1000 Scores: 54.0/100
NFL1000 Position Rank: 99/99
David Parry was the lowest-ranked defensive tackle in the NFL1000. He was routinely dominated against the run and offered nothing as a pass-rusher. He’ll be lucky to make the final 53-man roster.
Team Need: 5/10
Potential Draft Fits: Eddie Vanderdoes (UCLA), Jaleel Johnson (Iowa), Dalvin Tomlinson (Alabama)
Outside Linebacker
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Scheme: 3-4
Starter: Jabaal Sheard (4-3 DE)
NFL1000 Scores: 66.1/100
NFL1000 Position Rank: 27/68 (graded at 4-3 DE)
Jabaal Sheard arrives in Indianapolis after giving the Patriots 13 sacks and four forced fumbles over 28 games and two seasons. He isn’t an elite rusher, but he wins with power and technique from both sides of the defensive front. He also has experience dropping into coverage.
His best fit is still in a hybrid version of the 4-3, but Sheard should give the Colts instant value as a 3-4 OLB. His new deal in Indianapolis is for three years.
Starter: John Simon
NFL1000 Scores: 69.5/100
NFL1000 Position Rank: 19/65
Simon was one of the more underrated 3-4 OLBs during the 2016 season. While not a devastating edge rusher, he brings versatility—in terms of consistently setting the edge and a comfort level dropping into coverage—to the Colts’ rebuilding OLB group.
Simon also made big jumps as a rusher while in Houston, so it’s reasonable to think his arrow is still pointed up. He signed a three-year deal with the Colts.
Backup: Curt Maggitt
NFL1000 Scores: 58.8/100
NFL1000 Position Rank: 65/65
An undrafted free agent from Tennessee, Maggitt played in eight games for the Colts last season. He graded out as NFL1000’s worst 3-4 OLB—and by a wide margin.
He brings energy and effort, but he struggled to disrupt the quarterback and set the edge against the run. He needs a lot of development between Years 1 and 2.
Backup: Akeem Ayers
NFL1000 Scores: 63.5/100
NFL1000 Position Rank: 51/65
Ayers is a 4-3 OLB trying to make it on the edge in the 3-4. He’s quick and comfortable dropping into coverage, but his lack of size gives him no chance setting the edge or beating offensive tackles as a pass-rusher.
Team Need: 9/10
Potential Draft Fits: Haason Reddick (Temple), Takkarist McKinley (UCLA), T.J. Watt (Wisconsin), Derek Rivers (Youngstown State), Jordan Willis (Kansas State), Derek Barnett (Tennessee)
Inside Linebacker
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Scheme: 3-4
Starter: Antonio Morrison
NFL1000 Scores: 67.7/100
NFL1000 Position Rank: 46/65
Antonio Morrison earned starting time as a rookie due to injuries and suspensions ahead of him. He played much better to the end the year but is far from a finished product or a player who can be relied upon consistently.
Watching Morrison each play is a guessing game as to whether he’ll be in the right spot, play with the correct technique and finish with effort. When he’s on, Morrison looks like a moldable piece that could become a high-quality starter for the Colts. When he’s off, Morrison looks like just another disengaged Colts defender.
The defense has a ton of needs and inside linebacker isn’t the most pressing, but Morrison hasn’t earned anything guaranteed yet.
Starter: Sean Spence
NFL1000 Scores: 67.2/100
NFL1000 Position Rank: 50/65
The Colts lacked any sort of legitimate starter inside after releasing D’Qwell Jackson, so they went and signed former Tennessee Titan Sean Spence.
Spence was the third linebacker for the Titans in 2016 and largely played in a coverage role. He showed an impressive ability to time blitzes off the edge and may add value as a pass-rusher in critical situations.
Regardless of how the coaching staff decides to use him, Spence isn’t any sort of foundational building block and shouldn’t be relied upon beyond a year or so as a stop-gap starter.
Backup: Edwin Jackson
NFL1000 Scores: 65.6/100
NFL1000 Position Rank: 58/65
Edwin Jackson hits like a freight train. He may not always be in the right position, and he can be exposed as a streaky player who lacks fundamental technique, but he’s one of the true thumpers in the league who looks for violent contact every play.
Jackson should be considered for a starting role and, much like players ahead of him, is nothing more than an intriguing piece to test out. Expect the Colts to draft a linebacker at some point in the first few rounds with an eye toward grooming a starter in a year or so.
Team Need: 7/10
Potential Draft Fits: Duke Riley (LSU), Kendell Beckwith (LSU), Connor Harris (Lindenwood)
Cornerback
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Scheme: Cover 1 and Cover 3
Starter: Vontae Davis
NFL1000 Scores: 66.1/100
NFL1000 Position Rank: 36/133
Vontae Davis is a superb talent. You don’t grade in the 80s twice in a year by accident. For corners, only the best of the best earned an 80 at some point during the season.
Davis has one big issue: the injury bug. Being hampered by a groin/ankle this past season showed in his grades. During the middle of the season, when Davis suffered from that injury, he graded as a 55 and 50 in back-to-back weeks. The real Vontae doesn’t sniff those grades if he’s 100 percent.
Still only 28 years old, Davis has plenty of good football in front of him. The good news is his athleticism hasn’t taken a hit as he’s been nicked up over his career. So long as he’s healthy, Davis continues to be one of the better corners in the game. That just needs to happen.
Starter: Rashaan Melvin
NFL1000 Scores: 57.3/100
NFL1000 Position Rank: 115/133
Rashaan Melvin has bounced around from team to team, and once he started playing heavy snaps you could see why. In the 13 games Melvin started or appeared in, his highest grade was a 65. Eight of those games were in the 50s and one was in the 40s.
Melvin plays like a rookie. You’d expect better route recognition for one. But for a 6’2”, 193-pound corner, you’d prefer more physicality as well.
Melvin didn’t have an interception all year either. He’s given no reason for the Colts to expect him to start.
Slot: Darryl Morris
NFL1000 Scores: 59.8/100
NFL1000 Position Rank: 95/133
Darryl Morris played the first three games of the season and it did not go well. His highest grade was 55—not ideal.
Morris didn’t appear again until Week 13. Weeks 13 and 15 he performed quite well—surprisingly well, actually. Morris has bounced around from a couple of teams as well. But in two of the five games he appeared in to end the season, Morris graded at 72 both times.
Morris is small in stature at 5’9”, 186 pounds, but he is crazy quick and it shows up. He should have the upper hand to earn a spot on the field.
Team Need: 8/10
Potential Draft Fits: Marlon Humphrey (Alabama), Gareon Conley (Ohio State), Tre’Davious White (LSU), Adoree' Jackson (USC), Ahkello Witherspoon (Colorado)
Free Safety
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Scheme: Cover 1 and Cover 3
Starter: Darius Butler
NFL1000 Scores: 64.3/100
NFL1000 Position Rank: 49/133 (graded at CB)
Darius Butler began the transition from corner to safety during the middle of last season after the Colts were struggling with multiple injuries. He took to the position naturally and excelled. He displayed good range and great instincts, taking away deep routes, including an impressive play against Antonio Brown and the Steelers as the single deep safety against a sluggo-seam combination.
Butler also played with impressive physicality and was willing to get involved with the run game, which is something many corners struggle with when transitioning to safety.
Butler should be in position to start at free safety, enabling the Colts to shift Clayton Geathers to strong safety to make up for the loss of Mike Adams in free agency.
Backup: T.J. Green
NFL1000 Scores: 66.6/100
NFL1000 Position Rank: 49/50
The Colts' second-round pick struggled for most of his rookie campaign. He was forced into starting earlier than the team would have liked after Clayton Geathers and others missed the start of the season. He appeared to have issues with eye discipline and was often caught out of position with play action, double moves and misdirection plays.
He has a long way to go if he is to become a starter in the NFL, but entering his second season, he should feel more comfortable with the scheme and the speed of the professional game.
Team Need: 3/10
Potential Draft Fits: Marcus Williams (Utah), John Johnson (Boston College), Tedric Thompson (Colorado)
Strong Safety
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Scheme: Cover 1 and Cover 3
Starter: Clayton Geathers
NFL1000 Scores: 74.3/100
NFL1000 Position Rank: 7/50 (Graded at FS)
The Colts should be pleased with the progress they’ve seen from their 2015 fourth-round pick. Geathers missed some time due to injury last season, but when he was on the field, he provided a spark.
He was good in coverage as both the single high safety and in underneath zone coverages. He stood out against the run when given the opportunity to line up in the box, quickly diagnosing plays and filtering through traffic to find the ball-carrier.
With Darius Butler taking over at free safety and Mike Adams leaving in free agency, Geathers should be able to shift over to strong safety, where he’ll play in the box more.
Backup: Duke Williams
NFL1000 Scores: Did not have enough snaps to qualify
Duke Williams is a coverage safety who can match up against tight ends, running backs and occasionally slot receivers. He did appear to struggle with the complexities of Rex Ryan’s defense in Buffalo last season before getting hurt and being released.
He’s still only 26 and has enough upside to merit giving him a chance in training camp, but I would be surprised if he were able to take away snaps from the starters.
Backup: Matthias Farley
NFL1000 Scores: Did not have enough snaps to qualify
Matthias Farley was an undrafted free agent last year who was signed after the draft by the Cardinals but failed to make the final roster in Arizona. The Colts picked him up and kept him on their active roster all year, in part due to the number of injuries the team suffered in the secondary.
Farley only played a handful of snaps over the course of the season and didn’t look particularly convincing when he was on the field. He’s a developmental project that should be pushing the backups in training camp.
Team Need: 3/10
Potential Draft Fits: Josh Jones (N.C. State), Josh Harvey-Clemons (Clemson), Lorenzo Jerome (St. Francis)
Kicker
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Starter: Adam Vinatieri
NFL1000 Scores: 69.6/100
NFL1000 Position Rank: 6/38
Much like Matt Bryant in Atlanta, Adam Vinatieri continues to defy age for the Indianapolis Colts. Vinatieri will be 44 years old when the 2017 campaign kicks off, but he continues to show phenomenal mechanics with a consistency that few other kickers can match.
There is no question at this point that Vinatieri is the greatest kicker of all time; the only question appears to be how long he wants to play, as he shows nearly no sign of slowing down.
In recent years, Vinatieri has given up kickoff duties to punter Pat McAfee in order to maintain his leg strength. With McAfee retiring because of repeated injuries, the Colts will likely have to look for a punter who can handle kickoff duties as well, as Vinatieri’s routine and rhythm are not something Indianapolis wants to alter.
In short, Vinatieri continues on, while everything else changes around him, just as always.
Team Need: 0/10
Potential Draft Fits: None
Punter
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Punter: Pat McAfee
NFL1000 Scores: 70.1/100
NFL1000 Position Rank: 6/38
Pat McAfee announced his retirement shortly after the conclusion of the 2016 season, as the veteran punter faced additional knee surgeries to continue his career.
Likely playing injured for much of 2016, he still posted a top-10 punting performance, which though incredibly strong by most metrics, was still below the level we had come to expect. That is how good McAfee had been over his career, as he possessed the ability to both boom 57-yard punts out of his own end when necessary, as well as stop the ball on a dime inside the 10-yard line to pin a team deep in its own end.
With McAfee moving on, the Colts have signed Jeff Locke, formerly of the Minnesota Vikings, to take over at punter. Locke did not have the strongest 2016 campaign, but he did handle kickoffs during his college career, and that may have factored into the Colts' decision to bring him on board.
A rookie P/K combo like Austin Rehkow may be another option for the Colts if they choose to bolster this position and generate some competition heading into the summer.
Team Need: 7/10
Potential Draft Fits: Austin Rehkow (Idaho)
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