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While the Indianapolis Colts have been eliminated from the 2018 NFL playoffs, all is not doom and gloom as we enter my favorite time of year; draft season. This week, in particular, is important because of the East-West Shrine game.
Often called the Senior Bowl’s little brother, the Shrine game boasts numerous top 100 prospects. Although GM Chris Ballard hasn’t drafted many Shrine game players in his tenure with the Colts— Nate Hairston in 2017 and Daurice Fountain in 2018— it is definitely a game and an event he will seriously evaluate ahead of the 2019 NFL Draft.
Today, I present who I believe are the top 10 prospects from the East team who fit with the Colts. Tomorrow, I will do the same for the West.
10.) Ty Johnson, RB
School:
Maryland
Size:
5’10” 212 pounds
Career Stats:
348 carries for 2,635 yards and 17 touchdowns with a 7.6 yards per carry. Johnson caught 29 passes for 318 yards and 2 touchdowns. He also did some damage as a return man, returning 48 kicks for 1,194 yards and 2 touchdowns in four years.
Fit with the Colts:
Running back may not be the biggest need for the Colts but Johnson could fit. He is explosive and excels at getting into the open field. He is at his taking the ball out of the shotgun with space to see and hit an open hole and break into open field. This skill set meshes nicely with what the Colts’ like out of their backs. Add in his value as a special teams player and I think he could compete for a spot as a bottom of the roster running back in Indianapolis.
Highlight:
9.) Jimmy Moreland, CB
School:
James Madison
Size:
5’10” 175 pounds
Career Stats:
128 total tackles, 41 pass deflections, 1.5 sacks, and 15 interceptions in three years. Also logged a return touchdown.
Fit with the Colts:
The Colts need help in the secondary, particularly when it comes to depth. Outside of the starting trio of Quincy Wilson, Kenny Moore II, and Pierre Desir no one stood out or had a meaningful role in the cornerback group. Moreland is a bit small but he makes up for it with athleticism and by having a knack for making plays. He is sticky in coverage and deflects a lot of passes in coverage.
Highlight:
8.) Tre Watson, LB
School:
Maryland
Size:
6’2” 236 pounds
Career Stats:
108 tackles, 3 tackles for a loss, 1 sack, and 5 interceptions in one starting season for Maryland.
Fit with the Colts:
While the linebacker position appears to be set with starters Anthony Walker and Darius Leonard, Indianapolis could stand to add depth. Watson is an undersized linebacker, but like Matthew Adams he is a heavy hitter. He is an excellent run defender, in terms of his run fits and angles, and was solid in coverage last season. Walker could be a safety net if the starters were to go down with an injury.
Highlight:
7.) Delvon Randall, SAF
School:
Temple
Size:
6’1” 215 pounds
Career Stats:
246 total tackles, 14.5 tackles for a loss, 1 sack, 12 interceptions, and 2 forced fumbles.
Fit with the Colts:
The Colts really need another safety. With Clayton Geathers, Matthias Farley, and Mike Mitchell all free agents, there is a huge void left in the backend next to Malik Hooker. Even if Geathers does return to the team, the Colts should look at upgrading the other safety position in their cover 2 scheme. Randall may not be the best athlete but he is a very savvy with excellent ball skills. As a former cornerback, he can line up in man-to-man and eliminate offensive weapons that way. With Randall’s ball skills and technique, he would be a much needed upgrade for the Colts two deep safety scheme.
Highlight:
6.) Ryan Davis, WR
School:
Auburn
Size:
5’9” 185 pounds
Career Stats:
178 catches for 1,555 yards and 7 touchdowns. Averaged 8.7 yards per catch.
Fit with the Colts:
The Colts need a lot of help and wide receiver. Davis may not be the biggest or the fastest player but he excels in the open field and is a solid underneath option. Much like Chester Rogers last season, Auburn used Davis primarily as underneath receiver on screens. His elusiveness and quickness made him a nightmare for opposing defenses. The Colts could use him in a similar role to upgrade from Rogers.
Highlight:
5.) Ricky Walker, DT
School:
Virginia Tech
Size:
6’2” 300 pounds
Career Stats:
127 total tackles, 30.5 tackles for a loss, 8 sacks, 6 pass deflections, and 2 forced fumbles.
Fit with the Colts:
The Colts need defensive lineman, especially with the likely departure of veteran Al Woods and the potential departure of Margus Hunt. Walker may not be a perfect fit for the system but he is a high motor player with tons of burst and pass rushing ability. He is a tank in run defense and can easily fill the void that Woods will leave on the interior. Add in that Walker was loved and respected in the Virginia Tech locker room and received high praise from legendary defensive coordinator Bud Foster and I think this is a player who will intrigue Chris Ballard.
Highlight:
4.) Terry Godwin II, WR
School:
Georgia
Size:
5’10” 185 pounds
Career Stats:
134 catches for 1,800 yards and 11 touchdowns. Averaged 13.4 yards per catch.
Fit with the Colts:
The Colts’ offense lacks speed on the outside— aside from Hilton— and they need to find someone to complement Hilton on the other side of the field. Terry Godwin II played a key role as Georgia’s deep threat the past few seasons. He is a speed demon who boasts some impressive ball skills and route running. He is deadly in the open field as his quickness and foot speed are hard for defenders to handle. Adding Cain and Godwin to an offense that already features Hilton could open up the field for short to intermediate passes.
Highlight:
3.) Michael Dogbe, DT
School:
Temple
Size:
6’3” 280 pounds
Career Stats:
158 total tackles, 12.5 tackles for a loss, 8.5 sacks, 5 forced fumbles.
Fit with the Colts:
As mentioned earlier, the Colts will be tasked with replacing Al Woods. It is essential that the Colts add a solid player on the field who brings leadership qualities to the locker room as well. Dogbe fits that criteria. He wore a single digit jersey, a sign at Temple that he is the toughest and strongest player on its defense. Outside of his natural strength, he is a workhorse and solid in both run and pass defense. Dogbe is a perfect fit for the Colts’ culture.
Highlight:
2.) Derrick Baity Jr, CB
School:
Kentucky
Size:
6’3” 188 pounds
Career Stats:
148 total tackles, 6 tackles for a loss, 25 pass deflections, 6 interceptions, and two forced fumbles.
Fit with the Colts:
The Colts need to add depth to their cornerback group. Baity may be an excellent addition as he possesses excellent size and speed and has high upside as a boundary corner. His ball skills are solid and he is very active in the run game. He reminds me a bit of Pierre Desir. Baity could provide needed depth and learn under player with a similar skillset in Desir.
Highlight:
1.) DaMarkus Lodge, WR
School:
Ole Miss
Size:
6’2” 204 pounds
Career Stats:
122 catches for 1,790 yards and 14 touchdowns with a yards per catch average of 14.7.
Fit with the Colts:
The Colts desperately need a legitimate option at receiver outside of Hilton. Adding a super talented player like Lodge would go a long way to curing what ails the offense. The forgotten man on a talented Ole Miss receiving core, Lodge has excellent body control and awareness while also possessing excellent foot quickness and the ability to release off the line of scrimmage. Throw in that he is a stellar blocker with some deep speed and I think Frank Reich and Andrew Luck would get a lot out of a guy like Lodge. He should be a top target for the Colts on day two of the 2019 NFL Draft in April.