Day Three

The fourth round also gave the Colts a player at a position many expected, but the name was not a familiar one. It should be noted that the Detroit Lions traded in front of the Colts to draft Miami’s Jason Fox, a left tackle prospect many Colts fans liked. So no matter what guard Jacques McClendon does in his career, it will always be measured against Fox’s. Here are the numbers:

6026/324
4.96pd forty
37 reps

Good: Started 26 games for elite program ... A massively strong man with decent athleticism ... first step has major pop ... hard worker ... has football intelligence and is very alert ... once benched 645 pounds, a team record ... Academic All-SEC twice despite majoring in economics ... former defensive lineman, also played basketball and shot put

Bad: Needs to work on pass-blocking especially ability to mirror and slide ... foot quickness is not great ... is not great at pulling or blocking downfield ... can fall out of shape

Overall: McClendon is a powerhouse whose success in the NFL will be determined by two things: a) his ability to improve his footwork in pass pro, and b) his commitment to keeping his weight down. There is significant potential for him to be a bust, but he worked hard in school academically and on the field, so he has a good chance of making it.

How he fits: Right now, the Colts have a muddied situation at guard, but McClendon will start at the bottom and have to sit and learn and earn the coaches trust before he sees any playing time.

Reminds me of: Keydrick Vincent

By the fifth round, Colts fan had given up on their quest for a left tackle and were looking elsewhere. But few could have predicted the Colts would have selected Brody Eldridge, a guy who played mostly tight end, but also at H-back, center, guard and fullback for the Sooners. Here are the numbers:

6046/261
4.75c/4.70pd forty
9’4”pd broad jump
26 reps
32.5-inch arms
9 5/8-inch hands

Good: Very strong, especially in his hands and arms ... stays low ... can destroy smaller players both inline and on the move ... great balance ... finishes his blocks ... fearless ... plays hard with a good motor ... leadership ability ... versatile, quick learner

Bad: Poor hands ... average straight-line speed for a tight end with little explosion ... not agile ... can overextend as a blocker ... not the best first step ... not all that durable

Overall: Eldridge is one of the best blocking tight ends to come around in years, and can also play full back or any of the middle three offensive line positions and could develop into a starter at any of the five positions, especially if he adds weight)

How he fits: Some have opined that the Colts will convert Eldridge to an offensive lineman, but they gave him a jersey with 81 on it, so they think he’s a tight end, at least for now. The Colts lay with two tight ends about 35 percent of the time, but aside from star Dallas Clark, they have gotten precious little production from any of them. Eldridge will never be a star receiver (or even an adequate one), but can help the offense as a blocker from a variety of positions, especially in motion. I would not at all be surprised if he plays a significant role as a rookie.

Reminds me of: Brandon Manumaleuna

To kick off the three seventh round picks, the Colts selected Cincinnati’s Ricardo Mathews, an undersized defensive tackle who the Colts project at end. Here are the numbers:

6025/294
1.69pd ten
2.85pd twenty
4.95pd forty
4.51pd shuttle
7.30 three-cone
31.5pd-inch vertical
9’6”pd broad jump
26 reps

Good: Very athletic for a defensive lineman, fluid and agile ... Good technique as a run stopper ... Quick first step ... nice lateral mobility ... productive senior season with 12.5 TFL and 3.5 sacks ... strong for his size, likes the rough stuff in the trenches ... penetrates, likes to cause problems for blockers ... seems like a good, hard working kid ... played better in big games ... smart

Bad: Very small for defensive tackle, very short for defensive end ... did very little of note until senior season ... can be handled by one man ... needs pass-rush moves

Overall: Looking more like a 3-4 end than anything else, Mathews could make it in the NFL as a situational player if he works hard to prove his senior season wasn’t just a case of being in the right place at the right time.

How he fits: While Hughes is being groomed to take over for Freeney or Mathis, Mathews will be given an opportunity to play the Raheem Brock role – a competent backup both inside and out and a situations run stopping end.

Reminds me of: Mike DeVito

Later in the seventh, the Colts picked a guys lots of people described as a Colts-type player, Clemson OLB Kavell Conner. Here are the numbers:

6004/242
1.55c ten
2.59c twenty
4.59c forty
4.60c shuttle
7.36c three-cone
33.5c-inch vertical
9’2”c broad jump
24 reps
32 ¾-inch arms
9 1/2-inch hands

Good: Very productive at big-time program ... strong tackler ... big hitter ... great range, can tackle sideline to sideline ... tough ... self-made player through hard work and determination ... very durable ... has blitzer potential ... very smart ... definite leadership potential

Bad: Short ... can be blocked out of a play, not a natural shedder ... not overly instinctive ... can take bad angles ... not fluid in man coverage, not quick in his drops in zone

Overall: Conner has lots of tools, but his lack of instincts and coverage will limit him as a pro. In all likelihood, he will be a career backup and special-teams contributor

How he fits: The Colts love guys like Conner and his attitude will take him a long way, but I don’t ever see him as a starter

Reminds me of: Vinny Ciurciu

The last pick was Indiana defensive back Ray Fisher, who may be the answer to the Colts return-specialist woes. Here are the numbers:

5082/171
4.32pd forty
38-inch vertical
10’2 broad jump

Good: Exceptional athlete ... blazing speed ... former WR with great hands, good ball tracking skills ... very fluid and agile ... very productive returner in college ... instinctive runner ... has played basketball and track

Bad: Tiny ... has had just one year’s experience on defense ... can get caught up in traffic ... easy to bring down ... may not be durable

Overall: Fisher is unlikely to make any impact in the NFL as a defensive back, but could be an exceptional return man and perhaps gunner

How he fits: The Colts will give him every opportunity to be their primary return specialist

Reminds me of: Eric Weems

Tomorrow, the undrafteds

Colts take LB Angerer, CB Thomas

Iowa’s Pat Angerer was a bit of a surprise as the Colts’ second-round pick. Here are the numbers:

6002/235
1.63c/1.58pd ten
2.70c/2.72pd twenty
4.71c/4.64pd forty
4.29c/4.23pd shuttle
7.04 three-cone
35c/39pd-inch vertical
9’2”c/9’3”pd broad jump
26 reps
30.5-inch arms
9 1/8-inch hands

Good: Run-through-a-wall dedication ... reads and diagnoses plays quickly, won’t be fooled ... not straight-line fast, but football fast, pursues sideline-to-sideline and closes quickly ... quick into zone drops and able to locate ball and receiver quickly ... will be a demon on special teams ... fights his way through blocks ... wasn’t ask to blitz often, but can; is too much for most halfbacks to handle

Bad: Not an explosive tackler ... gets absorbed in junk ... not durable ... on the ground too often ... not agile or fluid in coverage

Overall: Angerer is like a miniaturized version of the prototype linebacker. He does everything right, but is limited by his size. He’ll need to be protected by a four-man front, or he may never be better than a nickel ’backer and special teams captain

How he fits: Angerer wouldn’t make it on most teams, but is in the right place in Indy. Although likely the heir apparent in the middle, he’s most likely to begin as a swing backup and could perhaps supplant Phillip Wheeler, who has not really established himself on the strong side. The Colts do not expect second-round picks to sit for long.

Reminds me of: Rocky McIntosh

Lots of mocks – including ColtPlay’s – had the Colts getting a corner in the third round, but I don’t think any thought it would be Kevin Thomas. Here are the numbers:

6000/192
1.52c/1.52pd ten
2.50c/2.52pd twenty
4.41c/4.45pd forty
4.18 shuttle
6.82 three-cone
34.5c/32.5pd-inch vertical
10’6” broad jump
19 reps

Good: Tall and fast ... great first step ... excellent at play diagnosis, and willing to support ... very fluid in zone coverage, almost as good in man ... very good at tracking the ball in the air ... keeps his body between the ball and the man ... uses long arms very well ... decent hands ... has cornerback mentality

Bad: Injury-prone ... not strong in press coverage ... not a strong tackler ... still a bit raw ... not great in recovery

Overall: Thomas is a rare athlete who is just beginning to unlock the football player within. If he’s over his injuries, he could have long-term starting potential.

How he fits: Begins the season as the No. 4 corner behind Kelvin Hayden, Jerraud Powers and Jacob Lacy and will have to fight his way up.

Reminds me of: A taller Jabari Greer

Still need a return man and a prospect at left tackle.

Welcome to Coltland, Mr. Hughes

I like the Jerry Hughes pick a lot and not just because it makes me one-for-one on my mock.

Here are the numbers:

6016/255
1.63 ten
2.63 twenty
4.69 forty
4.15 shuttle
6.99 three-cone
34.5-inch vertical
9’10” broad jump
26 reps
33-inch arms, 9 3/4-inch hands

Good: Awesome motor ... natural pass-rusher ... explosive first step ... very productive (15 sacks in ’08 and 11.5 in ’09) at big-time program ... stays low and is better at holding his ground than he gets credit for ... takes good angles ... agile (a former halfback) ... will help on special teams ... well liked and respected ... on track to get his degree ... very good in pursuit ... effective tackler ... has coverage experience and good hands (three career picks at TCU) ... leadership ability ... extremely durable

Bad: Smaller than you’d like at end, even for the Colts, and won’t get much bigger without losing what makes him special ... trusts his outside spin too much and takes himself out of some plays ... can be tricked by play action and, especially, draws ... can be blindsided ... needs to vary his moves ... not a natural in coverage ... needs to use his hands better when it comes to shedding

Overall: Aside from size, all of his faults could be well improved with coaching and experience. Keep in mind he was a halfback just four years ago. And what he brings to the table can’t be taught. He’ll need the right environment, but has sky-high potential.

How he fits: He has enough skill to walk in and contribute as a pass-rusher right away, but will learn to be a more complete end under the tutelage of Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis.

Reminds me of: Trent Cole

Who did I have for tonight? Oh yeah, Veldheer and Verner. That would be nice.

Stay tuned.

About last night ...

Sorry about abandoning the live feed. Dinner was just too awesome. If you really care about my opinion, here’s what I think of the first round.

1 St. Louis Rams Sam Bradford QB Oklahoma
Really their only choice. They had no QB, there were none on the trade or free agent horizons, Tebow’s a project and Clausen’s a jerk

2 Detroit Lions Ndamukong Suh DT Nebraska
He’s a hair lighter than I prefer, but has extraordinary potential

3 Tampa Bay Buccaneers Gerald McCoy DT Oklahoma
Almost as good as Suh, fills a need

4 Washington Redskins Trent Williams T Oklahoma
Another pick for an obvious need, but I’m not sure he’s better than Okung

5 Kansas City Chiefs Eric Berry S Tennessee
Interesting. There is no doubt Berry is a good player and the Chiefs’ safeties are subpar, but I thought they had other, more pressing needs

6 Seattle Seahawks Russell Okung T Oklahoma State
Looks like he walks in and starts for a decade

7 Cleveland Browns Joe Haden CB Florida
Haden’s NFL readiness could move newly acquired Sheldon Brown to free safety making both positions better, or they could get Taylor Mays and have three starting-quality corners and a safety

8 Oakland Raiders Rolando McClain ILB Alabama
They always surprise me; but he's a very good player apparently will help them transition to 3-4

9 Buffalo Bills C.J. Spiller HB Clemson
Don’t get me wrong, I like Spiller, but who’s the QB? The LT? The “other” WR? The TE? They already have two 1,000-yard rushers on their roster, so why add him? I feel sorry for him

10 Jacksonville Jaguars Tyson Alualu DT California
Fail

11 San Francisco 49ers (from Chicago via Denver) Anthony Davis T Rutgers
Nice; with Martz gone and some real protection, now Alex Smith will develop

12 San Diego Chargers (from Miami) Ryan Mathews HB Fresno State
They needed a back, but is he the guy? And did trading up hinder their ability to get the NT they need even more?

13 Philadelphia Eagles (from San Francisco via Denver) Brandon Graham DE Michigan
Good pick, they really needed him

14 Seattle Seahawks (from Denver) Earl Thomas S Texas
Bad secondary gets better, wonder how Taylor Mays feels about his old coach grabbing Thomas

15 New York Giants Jason Pierre-Paul DE South Florida
They live and die by the rush, and rolled the dice on this talented underachiever

16 Tennessee Titans Derrick Morgan DE Georgia Tech
Need pick, looks to have the stuff

17 San Francisco 49ers (from Carolina) Mike Iupati G Idaho
Wow, Smith and Frank Gore must be delighted

18 Pittsburgh Steelers Maurkice Pouncey C Florida
Did what they had to do

19 Atlanta Falcons Sean Weatherspoon OLB Missouri
Nice addition to rapidly improving defense

20 Houston Texans Kareem Jackson CB Alabama
You knew they’d get a CB or a HB here, and they can get a quality big back tonight

21 Cincinnati Bengals Jermaine Gresham TE Oklahoma
I really thought Dez had found a home in the Midwest for a moment, but this actually makes more sense

22 Denver Broncos (from New England) Demaryius Thomas WR Georgia Tech
I wouldn’t worry about his route-running if they keep the same offense; they needed a big, imposing wideout and he looks the part

23 Green Bay Packers Bryan Bulaga T Iowa
Fell into their laps; will start for a decade at least

24 Dallas Cowboys (from Philadelphia via Denver and New England) Dez Bryant WR Oklahoma State
Ah, controversy thy name is Jerry (and not Langton), should work out though

25 Denver Broncos (from Baltimore) Tim Tebow QB Florida
What’s life without risk? I admire them for this pick; heck, he’s already better than Brady Quinn

26 Arizona Cardinals Dan Williams DT Tennessee
Just like Bulaga: Great player at need position falls to them by sheer luck, like all NTs, though, you have to keep your eyes on his belly

27 New England Patriots (from Dallas) Devin McCourty CB Rutgers
Makes sense for them, he’ll work out fine, starts on specials where they need him

28 Miami Dolphins (from San Diego) Jared Odrick DE Penn State
Not a bad player at all for a 3-4 end, but where will he play with Starks, Langford and Merling all ahead of him at end? And where’s the NT?

29 New York Jets Kyle Wilson CB Boise State
Good player, from North Jersey, helps at nickel or if Antonio Cromartie runs into trouble

30 Detroit Lions (from Minnesota) Jahvid Best HB California
Awesome pick, they are really putting something together there

31 Indianapolis Colts Jerry Hughes DE TCU
More on him later

32 New Orleans Saints Patrick Robinson CB Florida State
Like him, like the pick

It's here!

So is everyone excited? I'm making porchetta! And it's draft day.

Looks like the NFL spent about $2 million on that ad narrated by Chris Cooper.

I'd be flipped out if No. 1 isn't Bradford. They only have Null, Reilly and Feeley. The only other option is to trade the pick and select Clausen or McCoy. He's smilin'.

Okay, one down. I like Bradford there. He's a tall accurate passer. Didn't play in a pro-style offense and has durability concerns, but he's the guy.

So now my son's beloved Lions are up. Suh makes sense, I like McCoy too. I don't like those OT rumors. Backus is still good enough and the acquisition of OG Sims makes it even less likely.

It's Suh. Looks like the Millen era really is over in Motown.

Bucs. McCoy? Hops so, I'd be three for three.

Taking a break for dinner.

It is Gerald McBoingBoing. Great pick. Great guy.

Now comes the hard one. I'm going with Trent Williams.

My Son and I ...

... both have first-round projections. I tried hard, but I think he'll beat me badly.

Pre-Draft Note

I'm a Tebow fan. Not or the Colts, mind you, but if I were the GM of a bad or middling team, I'd trade down to the bottom half of the first and build my offense around him. He's only spectacular in a college-style offense? Fine, run one.