The Colts "Big Board" - 30 Nov 2017
 

Article from Stampede Blue on folks the Colts might look at if they drafted today. They would have the #4 overall pick if the season ended today (article here).

Condensed List (in the writer's priority order):
1. Saquon Barkley | Running Back | Penn State | 5-11, 223
2. Quenton Nelson | Offensive Guard | Notre Dame | 6-5, 329
3. Bradley Chubb | Edge Defender | NC State | 6-4, 275
4. Minkah Fitzpatrick | Defensive Back | Alabama | 6-1, 201
5. Harold Landry | Edge Defender | Boston College | 6-3, 250
6. Arden Key | Edge Defender | LSU | 6-6, 260
7. Maurice Hurst | Defensive Lineman | Michigan | 6-2, 282
8. Roquan Smith | Linebacker | Georgia | 6-1, 225
9. Derrius Guice | Running Back | LSU | 5-11, 212
10. Calvin Ridley | Wide Receiver | Alabama | 6-1, 190

Nelson is a STUD. A quote from the Walter Football bio (whom I respect quite a bit on their talent judging) says "Some league sources say that Nelson is the highest-graded guard they've ever scouted, which includes the likes of Logan Mankins, Brandon Scherff and David DeCastro."

I typically don't like using a pick that high for an OG but if we could get a 10 year superior starter out it (like we are hopefully getting with Ryan Kelly), then it would be worth it.

1. Re-sign Jack Mewhort as a starting OG
2. Sign an UFA starting OT (Nate Solder, Greg Robinson, Donald Stephenson, Bryon Bell)
3. Draft Quenton Nelson in the 1st round of the draft
4. Draft another O-Line prospect in the 3rd or 4th round of the draft
5. Bring forward Castonzo, Kelly, Haeg, Good and Clark from this year's line.

Starters = Castonzo / Mewhort / Kelly / Nelson / FA OT
Depth = Haeg, Good, Clark, lower round draft pick

That would be a lot of talent for a new O-Line coach to work with. Having 3 "depth" guys with lots of starting experience and a new 3rd/4th round rookie pick would be pretty great depth.

2nd, 3rd/4th, 5th - 7th round plus a pile of free agency money to then be spent on defense and upgrading depth at offensive specialty positions.

Walk Worthy,

I still have a hard time picking a guard top 5. Chance Warmack and Jonathan Cooper were supposed to be generational guard prospects too. I want to protect Luck but if Chubb is an elite pass rusher can we really pass on him for a guard?

I would go with Conner Williams OT Texas. I cannot believe that this article was written and he was left out.

I think it will depend on free agency and how much we can solve before the draft.

I have a hard time seeing Ballard as passing on Chubb to pick Nelson, as the overall value of Chubb seems to be higher, and most of what I've read of ballard suggests that he drafts for value over need. Add to that the fact that Chubb would address both value and need and I dont see us getting a guard in the 1st if Chubb is still available.

The browns will be looking for a QB or RB, but the 49ers need interior OL badly. Early assessments on the giants have them looking for a QB or RB before OL.

If the draft started today and the niners didnt pick Nelson, I would do pull the trigger and pass on Chubb.

Yes.

The Peyton years showed us that having, and keeping healthy, a top tier QB will keep this team competitive pretty much by itself.

Add to that a good running game because of that O-Line who is also protecting the QB and a commitment by our young GM that he WILL NOT neglect the defense and it all adds up to a much more balanced team than we ever had under Polian with Peyton.

However, protecting the QB and helping the run game fuels the entire domino effect.

While Luck has not shown himself to be an elite QB, yet, gander at these numbers:

First 5 years as starter of career:

Pick from:

Peyton Manning =
Tommy Cheater =
Drew Brees =
Matt Ryan =
Aaron Rodgers =
Andrew Luck =
Russell Wilson =

A) 80 games / 2,281 attempts (28.5 apg) / 1,476 completions (18.5 cpg) / 64.7% / 18,193 yards (227.4 ypg) / 127 TD / 045 INT

B) 78 games / 2,545 attempts (32.6 apg) / 1,576 completions (20.2 cpg) / 61.9% / 18,029 yards (231.1 ypg) / 123 TD / 066 INT

C) 80 games / 2,817 attempts (35.2 apg) / 1,749 completions (21.9 cpg) / 62.1% / 20,618 yards (257.7 ypg) / 138 TD / 100 INT

D) 70 games / 2,651 attempts (37.9 apg) / 1,570 completions (22.4 cpg) / 59.2% / 19,078 yards (272.5 ypg) / 132 TD / 068 INT

E) 74 games / 2,336 attempts (31.6 apg) / 1,466 completions (19.8 cpg) / 62.7% / 16,545 yards (223.6 ypg) / 105 TD / 064 INT

F) 78 games / 2,606 attempts (33.4 apg) / 1,717 completions (22.0 cpg) / 65.9% / 31,332 yards (273.5 ypg) / 170 TD / 043 INT

G) 78 games / 2,637 attempts (33.8 apg) / 1,654 completions (21.2 cpg) / 62.7% / 18,957 yards (243.0 ypg) / 127 TD / 060 INT

Not far off from each other, are they?

Luck is in the hunt of being elite; build him an excellent offensive line and a good defense and we will be knocking on the door every year with hopefully better results than in the Peyton years.

So, yeah, we can use a top 5 pick on the best Offensive Lineman available in the draft.

Walk Worthy,

Injury history is scaring off a ton of teams, from my understanding.

Agreed, Williams is a talent but if teams are worried about his recovery....


Walk Worthy,

Is there any quality oline talent coming available in free agency?

Nate Solder, LT, Patriots. Maybe we could get him and move Castonzo over to the right?

That's a massive miss.

It'll be LT or EDGE.