2015 NFL Draft: Indianapolis Colts Pick Cornerback D'Joun Smith

The Indianapolis Colt traded out of the second round, sending pick number 61 overall to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in exchange for pick number 65 overall, the first pick of the third round.  In addition, the teams swapped fourth round picks, meaning the Colts moved up from 128th overall to 109th overall.

Anyway, with the 65th overall pick, the Indianapolis Colts selected Florida Atlantic cornerback D'Joun Smith.

Smith helps the Colts with depth at cornerback, something they do need.  They let their fourth corner go in free agency in Josh Gordy, so it's logical that Smith will fill that role.  He should be a nice piece for head coach Chuck Pagano, who has a background coaching secondary, to work with.  He's a smaller guy (5-11, 190 pounds) but fast and athletic.

In four years at Florida Atlantic, Smith played in 44 games and was voted a co-captain in his senior season.  Overall, he recorded 120 career tackles (4.5 for loss), a sack, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, 29 passes defensed, and nine interceptions.  Additionally, he returned 47 kickoffs in his career, averaging 23.3 yards per return.  There's a possibility that the Colts might try him there as well.  Oh, and another thing about Smith?  He literally graduated from Florida Atlantic tonight, the same night he was drafted by the Colts.  I'd say that's a pretty big night for him.

So you wanted defense, and the Colts went with defense with the first pick in the third round.  Smith is an athletic guy who the Colts can work with, and he gives them much-needed depth at cornerback.  If either Vontae Davis, Greg Toler, or Darius Butler were to go down with an injury, the Colts wouldn't have previously had a guy to step in.  They hope they have that guy now in Smith.

Here's what our own Andrew Aziz said of Smith in his draft guide (which is available for purchase here):

Smith is an athletic, instinctual cornerback from a smaller team. He didn't exactly go up against the SEC. However, he is a fluid athlete with quick feet with good ball skills. He gets himself in the right position and times things well. He anticipates things well and has a natural feel for the game. He isn't going to be a tough man coverage player but could be very effective in a zone coverage based defense, where he can use his great timing and ball skills to his advantage. His size hurts him a bit.

Smith didn't play for a big school, but shows the qualities and traits that you look for in cornerbacks and there's a strong chance he's a Day 2 pick.

NFL Ceiling: Top 12 Cornerback

NFL Draft Projection: 2nd Round - 3rd Round

Stay tuned tonight, because the Colts still currently hold another pick in the third round later tonight.

Here are the Colts' picks in the draft:

• First Round - 29th overall pick - Phillip Dorsett, WR, Miami
• Third Round - 65th overall pick (from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers) - D'Joun Smith, CB, Florida Atlantic
• Third Round - 93rd overall pick
• Fourth Round - 109th overall pick (from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
• Fifth Round - 165th overall pick
• Sixth Round - 204th overall pick
• Sixth Round - 206th overall pick (from the Seattle Seahawks)
• Seventh Round - 244th overall pick (from the Dallas Cowboys)
• Seventh Round - 255th overall pick (compensatory pick)

Here are the Colts remaining needs (in no particular order):

• Running Back
• Offensive Lineman
• Defensive Lineman
• Inside Linebacker
• Pass Rusher
• Safety