Wait, doesn't Peyton Manning still have a good half-decade left of football in him?  Why the hell would Polian draft a QB, especially when there is already a backup QB who knows the system?  First, Polian is an unpredictable madman, and second, think back to August when you first read or were told that Peyton Manning had knee surgery.  My stomach jumped right to my throat and it took me days to actually believe that it wasn't a horrible joke.  Luckily, Peyton ended up recovering and playing all 17 games, but that isn't guaranteed to be the case every time.  We've seen Tom Brady go down for the season along with other top QBs like Donovan McNabb and Carson Palmer.  One hit and Peyton's season could be done.  With all of that being said, QB is a need no matter who the starter is.

After everything that has happened this offseason, Nate Davis would be the QB taken if Polian decides to groom a replacement for Sorgi and ultimately Manning.  The disaster known as the Nate Davis Workout showed how Davis' stock is plummeting, something that makes it more likely Davis will be selected.  There is nothing better than a local college star ending up on the team.

via www.thefootballexpert.com

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We have focused quite a bit on 1st and 2nd round selections for the Colts here at Stampede Blue, but I want to focus on one of the many 2nd day selections the Colts could take in the draft:  Notre Dame S David Bruton.  I've had the pleasure of watching Bruton play every game over the past 4 years, and I'm very excited about the possibility of him becoming a Colt.  He's also they only ND player that is draftable this year, so any excuse to profile someone from my alma mater is gladly appreciated.

Now, I know what you are thinking:  Why would the Colts take another Safety in the draft?  Safety is (arguably) the deepest position on the team, with Sanders, Bethea, Bullitt, Giordano (if he's resigned), and Silva, so why should we draft another?  I'm loaded with reasons, so here goes...

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Evander Hood, also known as Ziggy, has been projected by draft prognosticators not only here at Stampede Blue but all over the Internet.  Hood played for a bad defense at Mizzou, and to be honest, I never got to see him play like most other prospects I've been coveting.  Over the past weeks, I have got to know about Ziggy Hood and his pros and cons.  Defensive tackle is a huge need for the Colts, and Peria Jerry and Ziggy Hood are the best fits.  Hood could be the Colts pick at number 27, but many mock drafts including the current Mocking the Draft one has him going in the late second round after the Colts number 2 pick.

 

via www.nfldraftdog.com

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I know back in February we said that this series was for players that we think the Colts could draft in 2009. So, I imagine you're thinking Why the f*&k is this idiot doing a draft profile of Mark friggin' Sanchez? I'm pretty sure project geo is thinking this, and likely has more colorful metaphors to describe just how stupid I am in doing a Sanchez profile.

Well, the reason I think Sanchez warrants a WTHWTD is I think it  possible he could fall to 27th in the first. And, if he does, Bill Polian will draft him. If I had money (planning a wedding, so right now I have zilch) I'd bet on that. Bill Polian is not the kind of person to pass up a top 10 talent and a potential franchise player if he falls all the way to #27. The draft is all about value. In many cases, value over need, regardless of position. Though the best QB of his generation is playing for our team currently, the reality is he will not play forever. He might not play past age 36, as he has suggested. 

Knowing this, and knowing the next time a Mark Sanchez-like player would be on Indy's radar would likely be following a 3-13 losing season, if someone this good falls this far to Polian, he will draft the guy.

Yes, it is somewhat possible that the Colts could draft Mark Sanchez

Photo: assets.nydailynews.com

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Far from a pure homer pick, King is a disruptive undertackle who most teams have limited interest in because of his size. Many places have him as a 3rd round pick, but unfortunately for King he may be in a for a Marcus Howard-esque drop (remember Howard was projected as a 3rd-4th round pick. He fell to Indy at the end of the 5th). King would fall for the same reason. The vast majority of teams that would draft him, would require a position change. At 6'2" 280, without a lot of room to add weight (he came to Iowa as a 230lb linebacker) he's a 4-3 DE or 3-4 OLB for most teams. Moving a four year starter (and two time all-BIg Ten) at defensive tackle out of position isn't going to appeal to a lot of teams, just like a 280lb DT doesn't.

 

via www.hn-media.net

 

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A guard? A guard?! A GUARD?!!?!?!!? You can't be serious can you? I mean are you seriously proposing that the Colts take a guard with their first pick? Yes, my friend, that is exactly what I am proposing, and here is why:

Common wisdom is that you take the best available player regardless of position needs. I feel that this is for the most part true, but I have always viewed it as a hybrid of the two; you consider needs, but differ to the best player. In the case of guard, when the Colts pick at 27th the best player on the board will be a guard AND it will fulfill a need. So, who is this "best player" who is a guard late in the 1st round?

Duke Robinson from Oklahoma (and direct relative of the famous "Smokey Robinson) is a beast.

Photo: media.scout.com

Robinson is big (330lbs), strong, tough, durable (never misses games), athletic and quick (5.27 40 time) . He is one of the best offensive linemen to come out of the draft in a long time. He was the anchor and the rock of one of the most prolific offenses in college football history. On top of his superb run blocking he also has excellent pass blocking skills and intelligence because he was part of a pro style offense at Oklahoma. On top of all that he is actually pretty darn quick and can pull well. A 5.27 40 time is very good for a guard.

From Mocking The Draft:

Perfectly sized for a guard, Robinson has the power to engulf defenders one-on-one. Quickly gets into his stance to block in-line on running plays. Does a nice job keeping his feet moving and repositioning himself. An excellent and scary drive blocker. Incredible lower body strength. Typically plays with good leverage keeping a low pad level. Gets good knee bend.

From NFL Draft Countdown:

Huge frame with long arms...Great bulk...Outstanding strength...Very powerful...Tough and physical...Nasty and is a finisher...Gets a great push and can be a dominating run blocker...Is stout at the point of attack...Uses his hands well...Plays with good leverage and bends at the knees...Quick with decent mobility and range...Good awareness and instincts...Versatile...A lot of experience against top competition.

From NFLDraftScout (via NFL.com/Combine):

Can generate movement at the point of attack in short-yardage situations. ... Plays with some nastiness and has the raw power to turn and pancake his opponent. ... Quick, strong hand punch to jolt the defender in pass protection. ... Natural knee-bender who plays with good leverage and balance in pass pro. ... Long arms and strong hands to keep the defender at bay.

But why should we draft a guard ahead of say WR, RB, DT... etc?

Well, first it all, start up front with your offense. A strong o-line helps both your passing game and running game. It is the foundation upon which everything else is built around. Your WR's and QB might be All Pro, but if they don't have adequate time then your play book is going to be severely limited to three step drops and screens like it was for the Colts late last year. Therefore, getting Duke Robinson helps all these areas. He would help both immediately and into the future because he has Pro Bowl potential written all over him and could play in this league for eight plus years. Guys like Robinson can potentially help teams both short term and long term, which is extremely rare to find. They are literally the "gems" of every draft class. Also, factor in that the interior of the Colts line is a big problem right now. We don't know if Ryan Lilja is coming back and Saturday isn't growing any younger. Robinson can start immediately for the Colts and he can be groomed to be Saturday's replacement at center. Getting him instantly upgrades our entire offense.

I know this is not a "sexy" pick, but it is a very sound one. I know WR and DT are the "sexier" picks, but that doesn't mean they are the better ones. With WR's you have to remember it takes 2-4 years to develop those guys so they won't help much, if it all, in the short term. The Colts have the potential to win now so should we not draft players that can help us now? Hall and Garcon already know the playbook and we spent draft picks on them so I say we give them a chance to prove themselves as the #3 WR. Besides passing wasn't our problem last year; our problem was running the ball and the interior of our Offensive Line. Duke Robinson
addresses both of those problems simulataneously. As for DT I really don't think there will be any 1st round DT's at our pick, but we can find talent in rounds 3-5.

Duke Robinson negatives?

From Mocking The Draft:

For any power running team, Robinson is about as good of a guard prospect as there has been in several years. His play is similar to that of Ben Grubbs. Where he struggles most is against quick, gap-shooting defensive tackles who like to get after the quarterback.

From NFL Draft Countdown:

Can be a bit inconsistent...Not a great technician...Isn't real light on his feet...Has lapses in concentration...Poor balance...Will get caught reaching at times...Will have some trouble with quicker defensive tackles...Work ethic has been questioned and tends to skate by on his natural ability...Little  immature...Won't be an  ideal fit for every team.

From NFLDraftScout (via NFL.com/Combine):

Only marginal balance and lateral quickness to block at the second level, and spends too much time on the ground when trying to block on the move. ... Lack of great quickness shows in pass protection, as he struggles to adjust if his initial punch doesn't slow the defender

I have thought long and hard about this because I am usually of the mindset of not drafting guards until rounds 4-7, but its not unheard of to use a late 1st rounder. The Ravens did it last year and Ozzie Newsome is a very bright GM. I just feel that Duke Robinson addresses so many areas of need for us in addition to being one of the most athletic and talented players in this draft. Besides what is better than being big? Well being big AND athletic... just look.

Photo: i.cdn.turner.com

Editor's Note: View some Duke Robinson YouTube highlights after the jump. --bbs

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This is my second WTHWTD and the fourth overall.  The others that have been done are wide receivers Derrick Williams and Hakeem Nicks and defensive tackle Peria Jerry.  All of those guys are big names, and I am not planning on changing this.  This profile is on a big defensive tackle from Boston College named Ron Brace.

Photo: assets.sbnation.com

Some version of this picture is seven of the top ten results on google images for Ron Brace.

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This draft is loaded with wide receivers of every type.  There are big targets like Kenny Britt, fast players like Darrius Heyward-Bey or Jeremy Maclin, five tool players like Percy Harvin, but rarely do drafts have great all-around players like this one.  I am a fan of a lot of wide receivers in this draft, but none more than North Carolina wide receiver Hakeem Nicks.

Photo: assets.sbnation.com

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