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We finalize our rundown of the top possible options for the Indianapolis Colts in each round of the 2018 NFL Draft by moving on to the end of the three-day process.
Many players being looked at in Rounds 6 and 7 are small-school prospects or players who are looked at as projects. That falls in line with how my list shakes out.
1. Tremon Smith | Cornerback | Central Arkansas | 5-11, 186
Smith has been an excellent corner prospect, just at a low level of competition. He’s got great athletic traits (verified by testing) and is a ballhawk (15 interceptions and 38 pass breakups in college). The Colts should be all over this one.
2. Cole Madison | Offensive Line | Washington State | 6-5, 313
Madison was a collegiate tackle who may make a move inside to guard in the NFL. He is known for his movement skills and ability to get out in front while a play is developing, which could be a nice asset for the Colts’ in Frank Reich’s new up-tempo offense.
3. Brandon Facyson | Cornerback | Virginia Tech | 6-2, 203
The Colts should be looking for corners with Facyson’s size, length and aggressive nature. If it doesn’t work out to where they pull somebody in within the first few rounds, it may be a good move for them to wait until late on Day 3 to pick up a corner.
4. Azeem Victor | Linebacker | Washington | 6-2, 240
Victor is an intriguing option if teams are convinced he can leave the 2017 portion of his life in the dust. He broke his leg near the end of an outstanding 2016 season, but then put on some weight from the injury in 2017, had a DUI and was pulled out of the starting lineup. If teams think they’re getting 2016 Victor, he’s worth it.
5. Korey Robertson | Wide Receiver | Southern Miss | 6-1, 212
Robertson was one of the very first names we heard connected to the Colts in the pre-draft process. He is a big-bodied receiver who can make plays all over the field. The catch (no pun intended) is if he can duplicate that in the NFL.
6. Darius Jackson | Edge Defender | Jacksonville State | 6-2, 242
Jackson was an incredibly accomplished edge defender in college, totaling 60.5 tackles for loss and 27.5 sacks. The question now becomes if he can keep it up against NFL competition.
7. Ja’Von Rolland-Jones | Edge Defender | Arkansas State | 6-2, 253
Rolland-Jones and Jackson are in very similar situations. Rolland-Jones had an eye-popping 63.0 tackles for loss and 42.0 sacks for Arkansas State, but whether or not he is a good enough athlete to compete in the NFL is the big “if” for him. Both Jackson and Rolland-Jones tested poorly in their athletic tests, which may make them free agents despite their collegiate accomplishments.
8. Tyrone Crowder | Offensive Line | Clemson | 6-1, 342
Crowder is a mammoth of a guard, and he plays like it by not letting anyone out-muscle him. If he can drop a little weight so that he can add necessary quickness to mirror pass-rushing defensive tackles then he should be able to stick to a roster.
9. Mike Love | Edge Defender | USF | 6-4, 255
Love is a raw pass-rushing prospect who is capable of doing a little bit of everything asked of an edge defender. Teams have worked him out at defensive end and linebacker, which has included dropping into coverage. He makes an intriguing option for the Colts at either defensive end or SAM linebacker.
10. Levi Wallace | Cornerback | Alabama | 6-0, 179
Wallace has the Alabama chops, being groomed in a pro-style program. He doesn’t have any one defining quality, but he also doesn’t have many glaring negatives despite his slender frame. He’s got good height and length, plays with decent speed and can make plays on the ball. He’s worth taking a chance on.
11. Oren Burks | Linebacker | Vanderbilt | 6-3, 233
Burks has experience at both linebacker and safety. Naturally, he is most known for his range and cover skills. He is big enough to play an outside linebacker role in a 4-3 defense, so he could be a great option to plug in at WILL and see if he can make some plays in camp.
12. Daurice Fountain | Wide Receiver | Northern Iowa | 6-2, 210
Fountain is similar to many of the guys the Colts have deep in their wide receiver group — tall and lengthy with good speed. He’s got great quickness and routinely leaves corners in the dust. His athletic testing is a big plus. I’d like to see him compete with some of the other low-end Colts receivers.
13. Marquez Valdes-Scantling | Wide Receiver | USF | 6-4, 206
Valdes-Scantling is like a late-round Martavis Bryant. He’s got above-average height at 6-4, runs a sub-4.4 forty but is not much of a technician (yet). Valdes-Scantling would be a good option for the practice squad so that he can develop more game than just being a downfield threat.
14. Jamil Demby | Offeneive Line | Maine | 6-4, 335
After Ulrick John and Denzelle Good before, why not go for another small-school offensive line prospect at the end of the draft? Demby holds his own in the run and pass games, and he appears to have traits necessary to play either guard or tackle. It would be great if the Colts could finally find somebody to grab hold of the right tackle spot.
15. Ito Smith | Running Back | Southern Miss | 5-9, 201
Smith probably won’t translate to much of an inside runner in the NFL, but I think his ability to slash through lanes and catch the ball will be valuable. Every team could use a pass-catching back who can help move the chains and make the first defender miss.
- Colts Draft: Exploring Options — Round 2
- Colts Draft: Exploring Options — Round 3
- Colts Draft: Exploring Options — Rounds 4 & 5
For more on the upcoming 2018 NFL Draft, buy the very first Stampede Blue Draft Guide! Tons of information about this year’s draft including position-by-position scouting reports, needs for all 32 teams, an extended look at the Colts’ needs, mock drafts, seven-round Colts mock drafts and much more!