Draft Targets at #26 and #34

[VeveJones007]

Holder had a chat on the Athletic yesterday and said Joe Mixon wasn’t on the team’s board in 2017. I don’t think the reports on Simmons or Ferguson are anywhere near as bad, but it’s something to keep in mind.

[Puck]

Originally Posted by DrSpaceman

I don't think anyone would argue against OL depth and upgrades.

But we are talking about picks #26 and #34 and there are certainly much greater needs on this team. I can't see using picks that high on OL depth when pass rush, corner, #2 WR are still huge areas of need.

Ballard won’t be drafting for need 1st It will be BPA

[Chromeburn]

Originally Posted by VeveJones007

Holder had a chat on the Athletic yesterday and said Joe Mixon wasn’t on the team’s board in 2017. I don’t think the reports on Simmons or Ferguson are anywhere near as bad, but it’s something to keep in mind.

I see a difference between those situations. I wonder if the front office does too. I’m glad Mixon wasn’t on there.

[Chromeburn]

Originally Posted by VeveJones007

The draft is still a few weeks out, but I think we have enough information to start culling the list of potential targets for the Colts at #26 and #34.

1) There are several players very likely to be selected in the top 25. Based on Ballard's comments, it's doubtful he will trade up to get one of these 16 guys before they're off the board:

• QB: Kyler Murray
• QB: Dwayne Haskins
• QB: Drew Lock
• WR: DK Metcalf
• TE: TJ Hockenson
• OL: Jonah Williams
• OL: Jawaan Taylor
• OL: Andre Dillard
• EDGE: Nick Bosa
• EDGE: Josh Allen
• EDGE: Rashaun Gary
• EDGE: Montez Sweat
• DL: Quinnen Williams
• DL: Ed Oliver
• LB: Devin White
• LB: Devin Bush

2) There are also some highly rated players that either aren't a scheme/character fit or at positions that are very unlikely to be targeted early by the Colts:

Scheme/Character:

• DL: Jerry Tillery (5 technique)
• DL: Dexter Lawrence (2 gap player)
• EDGE: Jachai Polite (character knocks)
• CB: Greedy Williams (better suited for man scheme)
• CB/S: Rock Ya-Sin (likely a slot cover corner)
• CB/S: Chauncey Gardner-Johnson (likely a slot cover corner)

Positional Value:

• TE: Noah Fant
• TE: Irv Smith
• RB: Josh Jacobs
• OL: Garrett Bradbury
• OL: Cody Ford
• QB: Daniel Jones
• OL: Erik McCoy
• OL: Dalton Risner
• RB: David Montgomery
• LB: Mack Wilson
• S: Nasir Adderley (strictly a FS)
• S: Deionte Thompson (strictly a FS)

That significantly narrows the list of potential targets at #26 and #34:

Potential Targets:

• DT: Jeffrey Simmons
• DT: Christian Wilkins
• DT: Dre'mont Jones
• EDGE: Brian Burns
• EDGE: Clelin Ferrell
• EDGE: Jaylon Ferguson
• S: Jonathan Abram
• S: Taylor Rapp
• CB: Byron Murphy
• CB: Deandre Baker
• WR: AJ Brown
• WR: Marquise Brown
• WR: N'Keal Harry
• WR: Riley Ridley
• WR: Deebo Samuel
• WR: Terry McLaurin
• WR: Paris Campbell

Obviously some of these guys will be off the board, so the list becomes even shorter when the Colts are on the clock at #26 and #34. I list the defenders first because I'm fairly confident that's the direction they will take. The list of WRs is a bit long because I'm not 100% sure what the Colts would value more. Do they want a slot guy? A speed threat to stretch the field?

What do you guys think? Any names you think should be moved around? Any names you would add?

I disagree on your Tillery assessment. I think he can play inside in this D and was very successful pass rushing last year. I also don’t think a WR will be in those top two picks. Too many to choose from and not a lot at the top.

I’ve heard NFL GMs see about 14 legitimate first round picks this year. I think if one of them drops we will grab one regardless of position, unless it’s QB. That includes oline and any of the TE’s.

[VeveJones007]

Originally Posted by Chromeburn

I disagree on your Tillery assessment. I think he can play inside in this D and was very successful pass rushing last year. I also don’t think a WR will be in those top two picks. Too many to choose from and not a lot at the top.

I’ve heard NFL GMs see about 14 legitimate first round picks this year. I think if one of them drops we will grab one regardless of position, unless it’s QB. That includes oline and any of the TE’s.

Maybe it's just what he was asked to do, but I only see two plays here where he truly shot a gap like Eberflus wants his DTs to do.

Compare that to Dre'mont Jones here, where he's shooting the B gap almost every play. In particular, watch the play at 0:40. Tillery doesn't have the quickness to pull that off, which is a key part of what Eberflus wants on the interior.

[VeveJones007]

Originally Posted by Chromeburn

I disagree on your Tillery assessment. I think he can play inside in this D and was very successful pass rushing last year. I also don’t think a WR will be in those top two picks. Too many to choose from and not a lot at the top.

I’ve heard NFL GMs see about 14 legitimate first round picks this year. I think if one of them drops we will grab one regardless of position, unless it’s QB. That includes oline and any of the TE’s.

In his podcast today, Holder mentioned that he heard the same from Ballard. But that there's a lot of good players available after that through the end of Rd2.

I think Ballard will prefer to get 3 of those "good" players at 26, 34, and 59, but I do wonder if there's one of those elite guys that he would try to move up and take. You'd still end up with 1 "elite" player and 1 "good" player, but I think Ballard's preference is to minimize the risk and have as many quality picks as he can get.

[Puck]

Originally Posted by Chromeburn

I disagree on your Tillery assessment. I think he can play inside in this D and was very successful pass rushing last year. I also don’t think a WR will be in those top two picks. Too many to choose from and not a lot at the top.

I’ve heard NFL GMs see about 14 legitimate first round picks this year. I think if one of them drops we will grab one regardless of position, unless it’s QB. That includes oline and any of the TE’s.

Agree. But not any of the the tight ends only the top two. And I certainly hope we don’t have to go that way

[Puck]

Originally Posted by JAFF

No, look at the quote. It was sarcasm. The Colts need a pass rush that produces more pressure if they want to get back to the playoffs.

Who are you hoping to get at 26 and 34?

[Dam8610]

Originally Posted by VeveJones007

Maybe it's just what he was asked to do, but I only see two plays here where he truly shot a gap like Eberflus wants his DTs to do.

Compare that to Dre'mont Jones here, where he's shooting the B gap almost every play. In particular, watch the play at 0:40. Tillery doesn't have the quickness to pull that off, which is a key part of what Eberflus wants on the interior.

Have you watched Tillery's Stanford tape? It's likely his best game, but he dominated Stanford's OL for most of that game. I counted 4 sacks, plenty of gap penetration, near constant double teams, and an occasional triple team. If his other film looks similar at all to that game, I'd be fine with drafting him at 26.

[Chromeburn]

Originally Posted by VeveJones007

Maybe it's just what he was asked to do, but I only see two plays here where he truly shot a gap like Eberflus wants his DTs to do.

Compare that to Dre'mont Jones here, where he's shooting the B gap almost every play. In particular, watch the play at 0:40. Tillery doesn't have the quickness to pull that off, which is a key part of what Eberflus wants on the interior.

I like Dre’mont, if we love Lewis, they have to be looking at Dre’mont as well. I would be more than happy with him. I like a guy with advanced technique like he does.

I think Tillery can do it. You have to examine what he was asked to do when considering. For example Ed Oliver was asked to 0-tech almost half of his snap, maybe more. But when he was asked to 3-tech he was pretty effective. Up there with the other tackles. Tillery just wasn’t always asked to do it. But yeah the Stanford game as Dam said is s good game to look at.