Picture via @ryan_kelly70
The Colts came into the 2016 draft with many expectations, most of which fell squarely on the Colts’ GM Ryan Grigson. Those who follow the team insisted that they could not afford to fail in this draft, as the last few have been looked to be failures for the most part since Grigson has been in control. With Grigson’s job hanging in the balance this offseason, Colts owner Jim Irsay allowed both he and head coach Chuck Pagano to ultimately remain, but let both of them know that changes had to be made. One of which included, nay required, the protection of Andrew Luck. The team had failed miserably to do since Luck came into the league in 2012 as he has been the second most sacked QB in the league since debuting (Ryan Tannehill is first). Along with this, the team has said they were sticking to the formula of selecting the best player available, but clearly that was mostly lip service. Instead the team seemed to target the best player available based on the team’s need and that’s a big distinction. The areas included: Offensive Line, Defensive Line, Linebacker, and Defensive Back as the primary needs. Let’s review what the team did.
Round 1, 18: Ryan Kelly, Center-Alabama
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-mock-draft-live/0ap3000000655566/No-18-Colts-NFL-Media-Mock-Draft
The Colts front office seemed to take seriously the mandate of Jim Irsay that the team’s effort of protecting Luck had been almost a complete disaster. Ryan Kelly comes to the Colts to become the linchpin at center after the team has tried various players in both free agent and later picks in the draft to be that. Kelly was a three-year starter in his stint at Alabama and most notably did not give up a sack in his entire time there. Besides these he also was the recipient of the Remington Award, given to the best Center in the college game. In fact, many drafts had this selection nailed (included our own Kyle) so it seems this is perfect fit. Experts question the value of taking a Center this high, but Dallas showed that taking their center, Travis Frederick in the 2013 draft payed off for them. The Colts are hoping on the same results. To read more about this pick, you can read Justin’s look at this pick.
Round 2, 57: T.J. Green, Safety-Clemson
http://www.nfl.com/videos/indianapolis-colts/0ap3000000658057/Colts-pick-T-J-Green-No-57
Again, the team drafted for need, a need that I wrote about last season. Although it is presumed that Green will be playing safety at some point, last year the team drafted Clayton Geathers whom appears set to take the starting role opposite of Mike Adams since Dwight Lowery left in free agency. Green could also play cornerback which is a need as well, but coach Pagano has stated he was drafted to play safety. Green provides the team options at either position as well as cutting his teeth on special teams. I have seen mock drafts with him in the 80’s as well as higher than that, but again Green’s numbers (4.34-40 & 130 tackles) made it hard for the team to pass on him. Plus they have had a history of working miracles with defensive backs.
**The Colts traded with the Packers giving up their spot at 48 and moved back to 57 and selected Green while also reeling in two extra picks 125, and 248. Not a bad deal for getting the guy that they said they were targeting anyways.
Round 3, 82: Le’Raven Clark, OT-Texas Tech
http://www.nfl.com/videos/indianapolis-colts/0ap3000000658172/Colts-pick-Le-Raven-Clark-No-82
The Colts picked Clark for another player on the offensive line. Again indicating the importance of protecting Luck. Clark played Left Tackle at Texas Tech, but it seems likely that he will be playing on the opposite side of the line in Indianapolis playing either Right Tackle or Guard. The team indicated that they felt he could play most positions on the line which affords them flexibility when restructuring the line. Looking at mock drafts available, Clark has gone in the 60’s, so it seems that the team had made another great value pick.
Round 4, 116: Hassan Ridgeway, DT-Texas
http://www.nfl.com/videos/indianapolis-colts/0ap3000000658547/Colts-pick-Hassan-Ridgeway-No-116
The team targeted another area of weakness (well an area of weakness in the past) by getting pass rush. Last year the team seemed to have struck gold with rookies Henry Anderson (before injury) and David Parry. Ridgeway has the size the team needs and will likely be depth at first, but may be able to crack the starting lineup if he proves to be effective at getting to the QB. Ridgeway will need some development, but showed enough to justify his pick as the team is serious about upgrading areas that have been considered areas of weakness in the past. Drafts had him going in rounds 2-3, so it seems the team scored another success.
Round 4, 125 (From Green Bay): Antonio Morrison, LB-Florida
http://www.nfl.com/videos/indianapolis-colts/0ap3000000658576/Colts-pick-Anotnio-Morrison-No-125
Morrison most likely will be coming in to compete for depth, but with Jerrell Freeman leaving the Colts this offseason, the competition will be open among several players like Sio Moore, Josh McNary, and Nate Irving. Antonio Morrison does come in with some baggage as he had some off-field incidents. The team will probably put him on double-secret probation, so any mis-steps along the way will result in an early exit. Mock drafts placed him in rounds 4-6, so the team seemed to be within reason for selecting him, especially to bolster depth in the roster.
Round 5, 166: Joe Haeg, OT-North Dakota State
http://www.nfl.com/videos/indianapolis-colts/0ap3000000658673/Colts-pick-Joe-Haeg-No-155
The team again targeted their biggest area of need, upgrading the offensive line. Haeg comes from a small non-fbs school, but ironically he protected the second overall pick, Carson Wentz. Apparently there was some interest as the Colts interviewed him while he was at the NFL Combine. As mentioned earlier, the team made a conscience effort to fix the problems on the offensive line, which ultimately means keeping Andrew Luck from getting severely injured. Haeg will be given a chance to show what he can do, but it appears his primary role for the time being is depth.
Round 7, 238: Trevor Bates, OLB-Maine
http://www.nfl.com/videos/indianapolis-colts/0ap3000000658900/Colts-pick-Trevor-Bates-No-239
The team is looking to add some depth at OLB with Robert Mathis, Trent Cole, and Erik Walden as the team’s core players. Bates’ stats at Maine included 57 tackles, 7.5 sacks and a fumble recovery his senior season. I don’t expect Bates to crack the lineup, but he will be given the time to work his way in like Jonathan Newsome did his rookie season. I hate to keep using the phrase, but depth seems to be his current value with the team.
Round 7, 248 (From Green Bay): Austin Blythe, C-Iowa
http://www.nfl.com/videos/indianapolis-colts/0ap3000000658990/Colts-pick-Austin-Blythe-No-248
As you can probably detect this seems to be a theme in this year’s draft. They went with steady, non-sexy picks, and Blythe is another one of those that illustrates the seriousness of fixing the problems on the offensive line. Obviously Blythe won’t be supplanting their first round pick Ryan Kelly, but with the failures of Khaled Holmes and Jonotthan Harrison, Blythe will be given the opportunity as a back-up or even as depth on the line. Blythe was a finalist for the Remington Award that was won by fellow teammate, Ryan Kelly. This, in my opinion, shows the seriousness the team placed on finally addressing the biggest team issue.
Final Impression:
I have to say this is the first draft besides the 2012 that the Colts were under pressure to deliver and they did really well. No, they didn’t make any crazy moves or make any crazy selections, but rather went the safe and measured approach. That is exactly what the team needed in this draft. It’s always difficult to predict or project how many will turn out to be productive players in the NFL, but I think several have a chance to help this team out. Kelly has a chance to solidify the line and become a player that had a similar impact that Dallas’ Travis Frederick had on elevating their offensive line to one of the best in the league. If the team accomplishes that, it should impact the team as a whole.
