FanPost

Fullbacks in Free Agency and the draft




As most of us know by now Pep Hamilton will be bringing in a version of the WCO that has a heavy reliance on the power running game and frequently uses the FB as a pass catcher. It is pretty easy to find a FB late in the draft or an UDFA considering a lot of TEs in college make the switch to FB. Here are some names who I think the colts should take a shot at in the 6th or 7th round

Zach Line-6-0, 233, 4.65...Linebacker in high school and a power Half back/Full back for SMU. He played Fullback his freshman year and became the full time running back in his sophomore year and did not disappoint. He is one of the best backs in conference USA history running for 3996 yards and 40 TDs in 3 years as a starter. Even though he was the primary running back he often ran out of the FB position with no lead blockers. The knock on him is that he ran in a spread offense with many draw plays and needs to add a few pounds. He is a very good blocker and paved the way for a 1000 rusher his freshman year and also a good pass blocker in the shotgun formation. He is also a good pass catcher(71 receptions, 581 yards through 4 years), although most of his catches were screen passes rather than from "spider 2 y banana". He is projected to go from the 5th round to undrafted so hopefully he will fall to the colts.

Lonnie Pryor-6-0, 230, 4.54. Number 1 ranked fullback who was a runningback in HS, turned into a Fullback for college. Accels at pass protection and picking up the blitz. Known as a team player who gives his all every play. Is also a good lead blocker in open space and in the inside. He is also a good runner, even though he was not the primary back, and rushed for 376 yards with 8 TDs his senior season. He doesn't have the power that traditional fullbacks possess, but still exhibits good technique. Is also a good pass catcher who is often asked to run wheel routes as a fullback. Like Line he will probably have to bulk up a bit to fit in pep hamiltons offense. He is projected to go as early as the late 4th round, but still could slip to the colts in the 6th.

Braden Wilson, Zach Boren, and are all bigger fullbacks who may be better suited for the offense, but I don't know much about them aside from the fact that they are all around 250 Lbs.

In Free agency

James Casey- May be hard to pry away from the texans as they have 13 mil in cap space and he is an integral part of their offense. Also plays in a version of the WCO for the texans. Is a good pass catcher out of the backfield(33,330, 3 TDs) and is very versatile(can play tight end). Also a good lead blocker and pass protector, but not much of a runner. Love to see him on the colts, but I think the texans will do all they can to resign him.

Chris Gronkowski- Restricted Free agent. Played Fullback for the colts. Honestly, nothing special, but he is familiar to the organization.

As far as Free agents go, I'd really only want James casey, and if the texans resign him then I think we should go with a Fullback in the draft. What do you think?

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of Stampede Blue's writers or editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of Stampede Blue's writers or editors.