Indianapolis Colts' 2011 Draft Picks Set to Have an Immediate Impact

Most pundits agree that the Colts’ first three picks were solid. Anthony Castonzo, Ben Ijalana and Drake Nevis can fit in nicely to become effective contributors early in their careers.

Adding skilled beef on both sides of the line of scrimmage (Castonzo and Ijalana on the O-line and Nevis as a D-tackle) should help to improve the most obviously wretched aspects of the Colts’ game.

The other two picks for the Colts—Delone Carter (a fourth-round pick out of Syracuse) and Chris Rucker (a sixth-rounder out of Michigan State)—have not been greeted with as much enthusiasm.

Bill Polian has often been proven right over the years, so in the interest of giving him the benefit of the doubt, this slideshow will explain how each pick will fit in with Colts in 2011.

Castonzo Will Anchor the Left Side of the O-Line

The Colts have struggled to replace Tarik Glenn at left tackle since he retired in 2007. The failed Tony Ugoh experiment placed the burden of protecting Manning’s blind side with Charlie Johnson, who can be effective, but is not a long-term solution.

Castonzo, a steal at 22nd in the draft, should be the left tackle for the Colts in short order. He is tall at 6’7” and has the athleticism to move well to block speedy end-rushers.

As a matter of fact, few would be surprised if he was the starter by the end of training camp (and with the recent news about the player-owner negotiations, the denizens of Anderson are ready to welcome the Colts back to their fair city).

Ijalana Will Improve the Woeful Running Game

Ben Ijalana, a stout 6’3” guard/tackle out of Villanova, should be able to plow open running lanes with his girth and wingspan. He will most likely end up at guard with the Colts and will provide an upgrade over the likes of Mike Pollack and Kyle DeVan.

Both DeVan and Pollack were decent stopgap measures in 2010 but should be backups instead of starters. Ijalana can bring a toughness to the running attack that should elevate the deplorable yards-per-carry of Addai, Brown and any other backs who carry the rock for the Colts in 2011.

Nevis Will Shore Up the Interior of the D-Line

Nevis was an exciting pick for many Colts fans, who have watched the interior of the D-line go from good (with Booger McFarland leading the charge during their Super Bowl run in 2006) to porous in a few short years.

Dan Muir and Mookie Johnson are big bodies that do little more than take up space while Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis race to get to the quarterback (or race into the backfield and leave a gaping hole for a running back to dice them for 10 to 15 yards).

Eric Foster is a good role player but is too small to be a consistent force. Fili Moala was drafted with high hopes but has yet to realize his potential and seems to get shoved around by the opposing teams’ center and guards.

Nevis, an impact player during his years at LSU, has the power, drive and play-making ability to be a starter right away for the Colts.

Carter Will Move the Chains in Short Yardage Situations

Delone Carter is an interesting pick. He is not the prototypical Colts running back. Instead of being smallish with good football smarts and receiving skills, Carter is a throwback beast at 5’9” and 225 pounds.

He can punish defenders with his size and power. The Colts were largely ineffective at short yardage situations in 2010, so look for Carter to come in as a situational back to power for first downs in 2011. Carter had some problems with the law in college (he engaged in fisticuffs that resulted in an injured by-stander).

He will need to keep out of trouble in order to help provide those last few inches that can keep drives going.

Rucker Can Help on Defense If He Avoids Trouble

If Carter seems like a character situation waiting to happen, Chris Rucker is even more questionable on that front.

Rucker is a defensive back out of Michigan State who has talent but also a penchant for getting into trouble. He has a drunk driving arrest on his resume and has been charged with assault. Despite these dubious stains on his record, he can provide some help to a stable of corners that was decimated in 2010 by injuries.

Rucker can step in this season during nickel situations and can push some of the middling cornerbacks like Justin Tryon, Deshea Townsend and Jacob Lacey for more minutes. Kelvin Hayden and Jerraud Powers are well established as the starters, but if injuries plague the backfield again in 2011, Rucker will find himself taking on more responsibility.

In summary, the Colts seem to have taken steps to improve the team through the draft in their areas of most desperate need. Look for each of the rookies to have a solid impact in their first season with a Super Bowl contender.