2012 NFL Draft, Colts Select Vick Ballard With 170th Pick In Round Five

2012 NFL Draft- Indianapolis Colts Draft Pick Selections

Round: 5

Pick: 170

Player: Vick Ballard

Position: Runningback

College: Mississippi State

SB Nation College Blog: For Whom The Cowbell Tolls

Mocking The Draft Scouting Report:

Strengths: Ballard has a good frame and nice quickness and speed for his size. Ballard, a junior college transfer, is good at playing the cut back lane and utilizing his vision. Will be an asset on a team that uses zone blocking principles. Hits the hole in a hurry. Team captain in 2011.

Weaknesses: For a bigger back, Ballard goes down too easily on first contact. Pitter-patters behind the line too much. Needs to hit the hole with more confidence and strength. May exclusively be a zone running back, which Mississippi State ran. That limits his value in the draft. Struggled in State's big games against Alabama, Georgia and South Carolina.

Stampede Blue's Initial Take On The Pick:

The Colts have now used five of their top six picks on offensive players. The only defensive player they've picked is Josh Chapman, a NT with a bum ACL. I know little about Ballard. So, I can't really comment on whether he's good or not. Scouting reports say he's a zone runner who goes down to quickly for someone his size. He also fell during the 40 yard dash at the Scouting Combine. Considering the Colts used a draft pick on a back last year (Delone Carter), taking yet another here seems to make little to no sense. Chuck Pagano and Greg Manusky breathed a sigh of relief with the Chapman pick. They are now likely back to shaking their heads, wandering if their G.M. is ever going to give them some extra players to work with on defense.

Draft needs remaining: Quarterback, Nose Tackle, Cornerback, Wide Receiver, Tight End