2010 NFL Draft: Hughes to the Colts Grades and Reactions Round-Up

With the first round finished, draft grades and reactions are slowly making their way out of the depths of the internet. Here are some of the reactions and grades for the Colts' pick of TCU defensive end Jerry Hughes.  It's a beautiful pick, but that's just my opinion. Let's see if the supposed draft experts agree with me.

ESPN tries to forecast the value Hughes will bring to the team while Todd McShay and Herm Edwards attempt give video analysis.

What he brings: Hughes has a nonstop motor. He possesses great quickness, body control and the ability to bend and accelerate to close on quarterbacks. He also shows an array of pass-rush moves to both the inside and outside, which keeps offensive tackles on their toes. He had a very productive and durable college career. Hughes fits perfectly at the NFL level as an undersized pass-rush specialist off the edge. Video analysis:  McShay | Edwards
How he fits: Hughes is in the same mold of Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis. While the duo had 23 sacks combined, both players have been at risk of wearing down. Freeney and Mathis are undersized defensive ends at or nearing the age of 30. Raheem Brock was released, so depth was needed and Hughes will immediately be an effective pass-rushing reserve for the Colts.

Pete Prisco loves Hughes and he loves the pick:

I love this kid. He is an explosive pass rusher. Just what they need, right? But he fits what they do. He might also be able to play outside linebacker. Bill Polian knows football players.

NFL Fanhouse likes the Colts pick but didn't want to take the big step and give it an A.

Indianapolis -- B+ : The Colts improved depth behind their bookend defensive ends with Jerry Hughes, and he fits the type of draft pick that has been successful in Indy for so long.

Walterfootball.com feels like Polian worked his magic again.

31. Jerry Hughes, DE, TCU 
The Colts get a potential elite pass-rusher at the bottom of Round 1. Bill Polian strikes gold again. (Pick Grade: A) 

Yahoo! and the National Football Post believes (correctly) that Hughes is a perfect fit for the system.

National Football Post: Hughes is the kind of undersized pass rusher the Colts love. He has a variety of ways to get after the quarterback, knows how to change directions in tight quarters and plays till the whistle. He isn't an ideal fit for every defense but looks like a potential impact-caliber pass rusher in the Colts' scheme.

NFL.com likes the extra depth and the lack of pressure on Hughes.

Pick Analysis: The Colts' fortify their pass rush with the addition of Jerry Hughes. Although Indianapolis retains Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis, it still needed another rusher to alleviate some of the pressure on the duo. In Hughes, the Colts get a hard-working edge rusher with outstanding quickness and burst. The Colts have the luxury of slowly integrating Hughes into the lineup, and can groom him into a starter after a year or two.

John Czarnecki believes if Hughes didn't fall Rodger Saffold would have been the pick, and Peter Schrager spends more time talking about a young Bills fan rather than the pick.

CZAR'S FRONT OFFICE TAKE:The late word was that Bill Polian had his heart set on drafting offensive tackle Roger Saffold, a three-year starter at Indiana, but that's because Polian thought TCU's Jerry Hughes would be gone by now. Well, Hughes is an undersized defensive end and he collected 26 1/2 sacks over the last two seasons. He's a perfect fit in the Colts' defensive scheme whenever Dwight Freeney needs a rest. Anybody who saw the Super Bowl knows that the Colts really struggled on defense without Freeney at full speed. Hughes can also play outside linebacker, but rushing the passer is his No. 1 skill and this is solid pick for the Colts, who are getting a little old on the defensive front.

SCHRAGER ON THE SCENE: Jerry Hughes, an undersized defensive end, joins a team that seems to hoard every one of them in the NFL. The Colts get a former high school running back and a two-time All-American at TCU. Radio City, meanwhile, is emptying out. The remaining fans are yawning. A young kid in a Bills jersey — no older than 10-years-old — is sleeping on his father’s shoulder. It’s probably the exact same way he’s spent his entire life watching his team on Sundays.

So there you have it.  People love the pick.  That's not surprising since Hughes was a threat to go in the top 15.  I think he is the best pure pass rusher in this draft, and he will excel as a Colt.

I would give this pick an A without thinking twice.  It's good to see the media people agree with me.