Analyzing the 2015 Colts Draft a Month Removed

Yes. I realize it has been a month since the conclusion of the 2015 NFL Draft so writing a draft analysis article may seem a bit untimely. However, being a month removed has allowed for most everyone's emotions to cool and allows us all to more rationally look at how the Colts did.

1. Phillip Dorsett - WR - Miami
   
   Yes. Wide Receiver was about the only position aside from Quarterback I didn't expect the Colts to draft and especially not early. That being said, I'm actually quite happy they did for a couple reasons.
   
   First, it means that Colts GM Ryan Grigson stayed true to his board. As a fan, you have to be excited about this and let me tell you why. When all is said and done, the Colts are going to have a roster full of the best players available rather than missing out on potential studs because the GM reached for a need. When it comes time to resign players, the ones you can't afford to sign will still return value as compensatory picks. This is the same model the Ravens use and they've been a perennial playoff team for the past five plus years. Did the Colts need another receivers? No. However, I would be more upset if the Colts passed on Dorsett, their 15th rated player overall, to take a player ranked in the late 20s just because that player filled a need. This draft was not particularly strong at the top and only had about 15-20 first round caliber players so getting a top 20 guy at 29 is a steal.
   
   Second, Dorsett can play ball. This guy can obviously fly, running the 40 yard dash in the blazing 4.2s. Something my coaches used to say to me is you can't coach speed. You've either got it, or you don't. Dorsett has got it and in bunches. It's a bit tougher to judge his route running skills since he was typically wide open and the same goes for whether he can catch the ball in traffic. Some have said Dorsett was drafted to be T.Y. Hilton's replacement. I don't agree with that at all. Yes, Dorsett's most common comparison leading up to the draft was T.Y. but I'd argue the Colts plan to keep both receivers long term. I could see the Colts using Dorsett in more of an Antonio Brown role given his quick feet and ability to make the big play at any time. As an added bonus, Dorsett also can return kicks so no more worries of Josh Cribbs fumbling games away.
   
   I completely understand why Colts fans we upset when the team drafted Dorsett over players like Landon Collins, Eddie Goldman or Eric Kendricks. However, the value of getting arguably the fastest player in the draft combined with his ability to actually play football, unlike other "speed" guys, trumps it for me. Teams rarely find that type of play maker in Rounds 3-7 and the Colts may have just gotten another steal.
   
   
2. D'Joun Smith - CB - Florida Atlantic
   
   This pick kind of surprised me when it happened. I fully expected the team to snag Indiana RB Tevin Coleman or South Carolina OG A.J. Cann, maybe even a pass rusher who had fallen. I didn't expect them to take Smith. I will say that Smith definitely has a chip on his shoulder and always plays competitively. From the tape I've seen, he's a solid corner though and will likely be Greg Toler's replacement. After a year or so of seasoning, Smith could be a great player opposite Vontae Davis.
   
   I really like the idea of drafting Toler's eventual replacement in this draft, although I expected them to take Quinten Rollins at the end of Round 2 instead of trading back. The team obviously liked Smith a lot though since they had HC Chuck Pagano go down to see his workout.
   
   
3. Henry Anderson - DE - Stanford
   
   Anderson was by far my favorite pick by the Colts. If you've come to the site anytime during the draft process, you saw my draft crush on Anderson in full effect. Anderson is the prototypical player any team wants on the defensive line. He's strong, smart and a hard worker. There isn't much else to be said except I was ecstatic to see the Colts snag him as late as they did.
   
   
4. Clayton Geathers - SS - Central Florida
   
   This pick was solid in my estimation. If you gave me the option of getting Dorsett in Round 1 and a decent safety in Round 4 or Landon Collins in Round 1 and a pick of any wide receiver left in Round 4, I'd take the former. Admittedly, Geathers wasn't my top safety available there but he's seemingly shown up big time in OTAs. He's got toughness and seemingly enjoys attacking the line of scrimmage. He could come in and give Dwight Lowery a run for his money right away. Realistically, Geathers needs some work but he's got the skills to contribute in a big way.
   
   
5. David Parry - NT - Stanford
   
   I love this player. I don't necessarily love this pick. I will say that getting what could be a great contributor at a major position of need in Round 5 though could be a steal. The Colts did have to trade up to get Parry and I think I know why. My bet is that San Diego was targeting Parry two picks later and the Colts guessed that Parry, the last NT without any significant baggage, wouldn't fall to them. Also, the fact that Grigson only gave up a Round 7 pick to move up 14 spots kind of amazes me. In year's past, teams would have likely gotten at least the Round 6 or a future Round 5 from Grigson. It's kind of tough to bash a team for drafting a player in Round 5 since the majority of these guys don't end up sticking around for long anyways. Parry is that country strong kind of player who can disrupt opponents. Also, don't underestimate the relationship he already has with Henry Anderson. Defensive line communication can be huge and having guys that are already familiar with each other can be a significant plus.
   
   
6. Josh Robinson - RB - Mississippi State
   
   My friend TrueBlue87 loved Josh Robinson heading into the draft. Me? Eh, not so much. He's a stocky runner who could develop into a play maker but doesn't have the physical traits I'd like to see in a potential starting running back. His vision is so-so and he's not particularly fast. He is very patient though and will allow plays to develop. He's also a threat out of the back field, which is basically a necessity in Pep Hamilton's offense. Again, it's tough to critique a late round pick too much but we all hope for the best. 
   
   
7. Amarlo Herrera - ILB - Georgia
   
   I was a bit surprised when the Colts grabbed Herrera here despite their obvious need for ILB depth. Herrera was incredibly productive in the hyper-competitive SEC. He's a solid blitzer and can occasionally drop into coverage. My knock on Herrera is that he's not that athletic and he's a bit undersized to be an ILB. He's certainly not athletic enough to line up outside either. He's got good instincts though and hopefully will be able to develop or contribute on special teams.
   
   
8. Denzelle Good - OT - Mars Hill
   
   As I mentioned before, I try to not critique late round picks too much but this one left everyone and their mother confused. Grigson definitely went by his standard modus operandi and drafted a guy no one's ever heard of from a place we all assume doesn't exist. It seemed pretty obvious Good could have been gotten as a priority UDFA, rather than use a draft pick on him. Realistically, Good might be served best by moving inside to OG. He's obviously a developmental guy who will probable spend the entire year on the practice squad.
   
   On a different note, if it were me, I would have called La'el Collins's bluff and taken him at 255 because what's the loss? If he plays, you get a first round talent at the penultimate pick in the draft. If he doesn't, then you wasted the second to last pick in the entire draft on a guy who won't be on your roster. Given that none of Grigson's previous 7th Round picks have stayed on the roster, to me, that wouldn't have been much of a gamble at all. There was no way he was going to sit out a full year of football and just not play. I mean it has happened before but we all know how that worked out for Maurice Clarrett, right? Needless to say, Collins's agents played their cards just right and got their client what he wanted. I just would have played my hand a little differently, if I were Grigson.
   
   

Overall, I don't think the Colts did nearly as poorly as many national analysts think. Yes, they didn't draft offensive line early but I don't think they necessarily needed to either. The line shouldn't be nearly as bad as past seasons. Also, saying that a team had a bad draft simply because they didn't take one position that you felt they desperately needed early, seems a bit short-sighted.

The Colts got great value and improved their overall defensive toughness, which they sorely needed. They held true to their board and drafted a lot of guys with potential and superior collegiate production to go with it. For that, I can't complain too much. The Colts got what they desperately needed: good, tough football players. This draft has the potential of being Grigson's best and most complete draft to date. I'm looking forward to seeing how these players pan out and have high hopes for their futures.