Round 3, Pick 90: Colts Select Donte Moncrief, WR, Mississippi

With the 90th overall pick in the NFL Draft in the third round, the Indianapolis Colts selected wide receiver Donte Moncrief out of Mississippi.  I love this pick.

Moncrief is a guy who is a great value pick in the third round and who is a good receiver.  He should be able to help the Colts next year but more importantly should be able to learn and develop, as he is a guy with a lot of upside.  Here's the NFL.com scouting report on him:

STRENGTHS

Terrific size. Smooth accelerator -- jets off the line, eliminates cushion and has speed to stretch the field vertically. Good balance and body control. Can stem his pattern and leverage defenders. Drives off cornerbacks and creates separation. Knows where the sticks are. Outstanding leaping ability to elevate and pluck throws out of the air. Flashes playmaking ability. Able to sidestep the first tackler and pick up chunk yards after the catch. Gives effort as a blocker to engage and seal. Has experience going head-to-head with NFL-caliber cornerbacks. Will be a 21-year-old rookie and has upside. Tied for the longest broad jump (11-foot) among receivers at the combine.

WEAKNESSES

Needs to sharpen his route running. Inconsistent ball reactions, particularly in traffic -- better running through or under passes. Does not always play to his size -- gets outmuscled for "50-50" balls and is still coming into his own as a dependable go-up-and-get-it guy. Average hand strength. Tends to trap some throws against his body and occasionally drops catchable balls. Could be more physical. Average elusiveness and open-field electricity. Showed he could be contained -- seven games of 60 yards or less as a junior.

DRAFT PROJECTION

Rounds 1-2

BOTTOM LINE

Big, physically gifted "X" receiver with deep speed, leaping potential and playmaking ability. Could emerge a No. 1 or No. 2 receiver in a vertical passing offense, and his best football is in front him. Solid combine showing and pro-day workout have ascended his draft standing.

Honestly, I think this pick is ideal for the Colts.  Reggie Wayne and Hakeem Nicks are both on the final year of their contracts and both have dealt with knee injuries recently.  The Colts also need an eventual replacement to Reggie Wayne, and Moncrief looks like a guy who has the potential to fill that role and be a playmaker alongside T.Y. Hilton.  It amazes me how many fans are comfortable with Da'Rick Rogers, LaVon Brazill, and Griff Whalen - sure, they all are decent contributors and perhaps could develop into something more, but none of them are there yet and the Colts can't count on them doing so.  Rogers especially has a lot of potential, but to count on him as the eventual replacement to Reggie is very unwise.  Hopefully a few of those guys can continue to progress and earn more playing time, but clearly Moncrief is the guy who the Colts hope can both contribute this year but more significantly eventually replace Reggie Wayne and give Andrew Luck another weapon in the future along with T.Y. Hilton, Dwayne Allen, and Coby Fleener.

I liked the player the Colts took in the second round (guard Jack Mewhort) but I hated the pick/value.  I like the player the Colts took in the third round (receiver Donte Moncrief) and I LOVE the value.  Ryan Grigson nailed this pick, and I'm thrilled about it.

Colts Draft Picks:

Round 2 (Pick 59): Jack Mewhort, G, Ohio State

Round 3 (Pick 90): Donte Moncrief, WR, Mississippi

Round 5 (Pick 166):

Round 6 (Pick 203):

Round 7 (Pick 232):