Sheldon Price, CB, UCLA
Price is tall (6'2) and fast, logging a 4.42 40 time at his UCLA Pro Day. I know people like to dismiss timed speeds and drone on about "looking at the tape." As I always shoot right back, if timed speeds mean nothing, why does every team time draft prospects in the 40-yard dash? In the case of Price, I can pretty much guarantee you that his size and speed were why the Colts had him in for a pre-draft visit an, eventually, signed him after he went undrafted.
When you look at Price's tape, it's not good. The kid is so crispy from getting consistently burnt that Denny's should consider a French Fried Toast breakfast special called, "The Sheldon Price, only $5.95!"
However, part of the reason for Price's shaky coverage might have been poor coaching. He was apparently thrust into the starting role at corner as a Freshman, and combining that with some shaky guidance might explain the scorch burns on Price's psyche. For his Senior season, Price got to work with Jim Mora Jr., a veteran defensive coach who was also the head man in the NFL for the Seattle Seahawks and the Atlanta Falcons. With Mora's help, Price seemed to show improvement in 2012.
As we often blather around here, no team can have enough pass rushers and quality man-to-man coverage corners. The area where the long-armed, fast, lanky Price improved in under Jim Mora's tutelage was man-to-man coverage.
Dan Moore, FB, Montana
Moore is another rookie the Colts showed interest in, pre-draft. At 5'11 and 235 pounds, he's a bit shorter than current Colts fullback Stanley Havili (6'0, 245 pounds), who they traded for with the Philadelphia Eagles this offseason. Like Havili, Moore seems to be a versatile fullback.
Sorry folks, but the days of Sam Gash and Lorenzo Neal are long gone. Fullbacks have to do more than act as a battering ram in the modern NFL.
Moore was Montana top offensive weapon in 2012, and despite missing five games with foot and ankle injuries, he rushed for 413 yards, four touchdowns, and averaged 5.4 yards-per-carry. Had he not gotten hurt, he probably would have ran for over 1,200 yards, scored seven touchdowns, and probably have gotten drafted on the third day.
Running back is the thinnest position the Colts have in 2013, in terms of quality depth. With offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton looking to implement a power running game with "West Coast principles," a fullback on the 53-man roster is essential. Likely, that fullback will also need to double as a short-yardage back, or an emergency back who can carry the rock if players start to go down with injuries in-game. Moore seems to showcase the ability to do all that.
At the very least, he seems like a solid addition to the special teams unit. At the Montana Pro Day, Moore notched 31 reps on the 225-pound bench and ran a 4.63 40-time.
Lanear Sampson, WR, Baylor
Consider this: In 2010, Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin III had Kendall Wright, Josh Gordon, and Lanear Sampson as his top three wide receivers. Just like RG3 in 2011, Wright was a first round selection. Gordon is developing into a play-making WR in Cleveland after the Browns took him in the supplemental draft in 2011.
And now Sampson is in the NFL, signed as a rookie free agent to the Colts.
In 2011, Sampson started 11 games and caught 42 passes for 572 yards and 3 scores. In 2012, with his superstar QB Griffin gone to the NFL, Sampson had 52 catches, 646 yards, 6 touchdowns.
Impressive, to say the least.
While not notably tall (5'11) Sampson is a big guy at wide receiver, weighing in at 205 pounds. To give you an idea of how odd that is, I'm 6'5, and I weigh 205 pounds.
While not someone known for great quickness, he does have vertical speed. He ran a 4.46 40 at the 2012 NFL Scouting Combine, and was clocked at 4.40 at his Pro Day.