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Colts Third Round Selection Hugh Thornton Viewed As 'Sleeper'

Not to many Colts fans probably knew who Hugh Thornton was until Indianapolis selected him with the No. 86 overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft. However, just because he isn't a "name" doesn't mean he stinks.

Back in early April, Matthew Fairburn at Mocking the Draft, listed Thornton as one of the better "sleeper" offensive linemen available in this year's draft.

Hugh Thornton, Tackle/Guard, Illinois

Thornton started at left tackle for Illinois as a senior and was a mixed bag. On the one hand, he has the athleticism to play tackle in the NFL, but he lacks the size to succeed there. That doesn't mean he won't find a spot at the next level, though. Thornton has the coordination to pull and engage defenders on the second level of the defense. He's a solid player in space, but the best part of his game is the mean streak he shows on a consistent basis. Thornton is always fighting until the whistle and would make a ton of sense inside at guard in the NFL.

A guard that has athleticism and can pull out and maul defenders at the second level.

Yep, that sounds like a lineman for a West Coast (or "No-Coast") system to me.