NFL Mock Draft 2015: Latest Mock Draft has Colts Taking Linebacker Paul Dawson

While yesterday was a strange day with it being the first Sunday without NFL football, Monday brings with it at least a little bit of normalcy, as this day has recently come to mean a new mock draft from Dan Kadar over at Mocking the Draft.

For the past two weeks, he has projected an offensive lineman to the Colts in A.J. Cann, but he is mixing it up this week to have the team address a position that is arguably an even bigger concern than the line: linebacker.  In his most recent mock draft, Kadar has the Colts taking TCU linebacker Paul Dawson (and he even gave each team a couple of different options too, which is great).

29. Indianapolis Colts: Paul Dawson, LB, TCU

Dawson may not be a traditional middle linebacker or a pass rushing outside linebacker. What he is, however, is a nice combination of the two. On the field, it's hard to find many flaws in Dawson's game. A player like Dawson could be moved around and take care of two problematic areas for the Colts. If not a linebacker, the Colts obviously need more talent up front on offense.

Other options: A.J. Cann (G), Cedric Ogbuehi (OT)

In his senior season, Dawson (6-2, 230 pounds) recorded 128 tackles (18.5 for loss), five sacks, and four picks while being named an All-American.  In 2013, he only started the final seven games but still led the team with 91 tackles.  NFL.com's scouting report on him notes that he averaged a tackle every 5.3 snaps, but at the same time there are character concerns and questions about his commitment that could bring his draft stock down.  Furthermore, most of what I have read on him suggests that he would best be suited as a 4-3 outside linebacker.  With all of that said, however, the Colts do need help at linebacker.  As Kadar notes, Dawson can bring help in a number of areas that the Colts need, including run defense, coverage, and pass rush.  He had great production in college and has the talent, the main questions on him would seem to be character and scheme fit.  Regardless, though, the fact that Kadar has the Colts taking a defensive player should be received nicely by Colts fans.

What are your thoughts on Paul Dawson?  Would you be in favor of the Colts taking him in the first round?