A little bit of help please

I would stay away from a DT in any of these rounds. It takes at least 2 years for a DT to develop and the Colts have Filia Moala and Mitch King both in their second year. If a DT is taken, it probably won’t be until the 4th. That’s Polian’s MO, the best DTs are gone by pick 31 and you don’t get value until later in the draft.

For the first round pick, I’d say you’re looking at OL. I’d be ok with Charles Brown, but I question if he fits into the apparently new philiosophy the Colts. Unlike Superman, I like Pouncey. I’ve read the scouting reports and like what I see, especially his motor and attitude. With Saturday’s contract up in 2 years, I can see Polian getting his replacement now. I also like Gresham if he falls, which isn’t likely. McCourty is another one I think is a possibility, as is Graham if he falls.

In the second, I think you’re looking at either a CB, OG, or OT depending on the first round choice. Prospects I like are Saffold ( I don’t think he falls to 64, much less into the 3rd), Cox, or Asomagh. I also think Wooten, Sapp, or Hardy are options here.

The third is where I really have CB depth. Spivey from Iowa is my top prospect, but I also wouldn’t say know to an OT like Black or Fox if an OT hasn’t been taken yet. Again, depending on the previous two rounds OG is also a possibility. here.

It will give you a good idea of how we value players:

http://www.stampedeblue.com/2010/3/11/1369074/shakes-post-combine-draft-board

1.) OL
2.) OL
3.) Tossup between DE, CB, and OL…

Unless some player takes an incredible slide I can’t foresee a scenario where the Colts’ first pick is not an OL. Either the best tackle available or Pouncey. If all of the above are off the board I think they will try hard to trade back and grab Saffold.

Assuming they get an OL in the first round, the biggest need in the 2nd round… is STILL OL! We need no less than two and very likely 3 new prospects on the OL. Two tackles and a guard to be specific. I would look hard at Kyle Calloway at #63. I see him supplanting Diem on the right side.

If we get two OL in the first two rounds we need a run stopping DE to take Brock’s place, a nickle corner (possible returner) to add depth and… another OL. If Fox is there I would love that pick even after Pouncey and Calloway. Fox would be our future LT. Spievey, as others have mentioned, would be a good pick. I like him better than Arenas. Doesn’t look like great value here for DE, but Brandon Lang or Jason Worilds would be considerations.

1. OT(right or left, doesn’t matter)-Brown (obviously), Anthony Davis/Trent Williams (if either slips for some reason) or a reach or trade back for Rodger Saffold in the first, or a trade up for him in the second. Even if they take a tackle in the first they’d still want another one later, probably, so Jared Veldheer or Kyle Calloway in the third are options.

2. DE-Only one I like in the first is Graham. Austin Lane in the third or George Selvie in the fourth are good fits. But those are the types of DEs I think they’ll go for; pass rusher-only types, not hybrids who can play against the run. They typically fill out those needs with UDFAs/waiver guys, but they won’t take for granted having a good nickle rusher in case Freeney/Mathis suffer injury. The defense falls apart when that happens.

3. OG/C-Pouncey in the first if all first round-worthy tackles and Brandon Graham are gone, would be a solid consolation prize. Can play RG right away (which they need), can play RT in a pinch and would be the future at C. There aren’t any other G/Cs worth a pick in the top two rounds, but I could see them going after Matt Tennant or J.D. Walton in the third or fourth rounds respectively, and wouldn’t have a problem with it.

4. CB depth-Speivey is one that’s been talked about. He’s a great fit, and I’d reach on him in the second. Arenas is another one, but folks like him because of his return skills. He’s a good zone corner too, like Spievey, but much smaller. I think the Colts’ return game needs more than a good returner to improve. They need much, much better blocking, which is hard because they have no experienced special teamers. Kareem Jackson’s a darkhorse. Good zone corner, great timed speed, better 40 than teammate Arenas.

5. DT-Price is the only DT I’d consider at 31, and that’s only if Brown, Davis, T. Williams, Graham and Pouncey were all off the board, AND they couldn’t trade back. I really don’t think they need a first round DT and I doubt they go there. Atkins, Alualu and Lamarr Houston could be second round targets. I like Arthur Jones in the third, if he’s still around.

6. S-I’d only take Earl Thomas in the first, but only him because he can probably play CB, which kills two birds. There aren’t any others I’d even want until the late rounds when the value gets a little better, but it is a need.

7. LB-OLB or MLB, I doubt they address both, at least not in the draft (maybe with UDFAs/comp picks). I like Weatherspoon in the first, only if the aforementioned top priority guys are gone. I like Daryl Washington in the second or third. I like Navorro Bowman, but only if they can get a good deal on him thanks to his character issues/pot smoking.