the times I saw Edmunds at Va Tech he was playing more on the outside than inside--although Foster was moving him around some too, at least in the games I saw

by the end of his college career Urlacher was playing about as much safety as he was linebacker, and he had no problem adjusting in the NFL, so I imagine Edmunds would do fine at either OLB or ILB...and it's not like the Colts don't need help at just about every LB position there is

Nope, not even close. Edge was an every down back, don't see Barkley in the same class. I saw probably 3 Penn State games this year and was not real impressed. Just my opinion, but Barkley is not another Edge, he doesn't have Edge's vision. Wouldn't waste a number 6 pick on him.

This isn’t a balanced post. While Barkley may not have Edge’s vision or pass blocking, Edge didn’t have Barkley’s big play or return ability. They really aren’t comparable. They have very different skill sets.

I’ll admit my bias - Edge has always been my favorite NFL player. The only comment I’ll make is that I think some forget what he was pre ACL tear. Let’s not forget he ran a 4.38 40 at the combine. Pre ACL tear James was a pretty damn dynamic player.

This is recency bias. Barkley will probably be great. But Edge was one of the best RBs of all time pre-ACL injury. I don't care about return ability. No NFL team is going to have Barkley return anything. Edge was a complete back. Vision, agility, wiggle, power, toughness, blocking, receiving, speed, instant quickness. If anything I'd say pre-ACL Edge is Barkley's ceiling. I see them as relatively similar in that Barkley is pretty complete. But I don't see him being as powerful a runner despite being heavier.

If there was some way that we were able to get both Trumaine Edmunds and Leighton Vander Esch in this draft, our defense could suddenly become something that we have not seen in decades. The Colts for years have been ripped apart by opposition offenses in the middle of the field, because we just haven't had any decent interior LB play.

I like Chubb, but am far from as enamoured with him as a lot of others, i absolutely love Nelson, but i think our biggest and most glaring need is at linebacker as we need 3 guys, and we only have 1 who in my opinion is starting quality in Simon. The offensive line is something that maybe we can grab a decent guard in the 2nd round. And try to pick up a couple of pass rush specialists with our later 2nd rounder or 3rd.

Given all the expressions of love for Edge here, and since we're on the subject of the draft, how many people were happy when we drafted him at #4? Not many. That was considered a major draft shocker at the time. Ricky Williams was the popular choice that year. Polian basically gave everyone the finger who disagreed, correctly pointing out that Edge fit the Colts offense better than Williams.

Just a little reminder to not get too upset if our pick is someone unexpected. Have a little faith and see how things play out.

I remember being pissed that Polian didn’t take the ridiculous amount of picks Ditka gave up to get Williams, but I don’t remember being pissed at the ultimate selection of James over Williams. Certainly everyone thought Williams would come off the board first, but it’s not like James was considered a major reach. He was known as a top prospect in the draft and was comfortably considered a top 10 pick. I remember Freeney being considered more of a reach than James was.

While I ultimately agree with your point about overreaction, I’ll definitely comment and express my pleasure or displeasure. Might as well go on record with what you think. And I don’t think Ballard has done anything for me to have faith in. It’s his second draft and we don’t have a good sense of his first one. I’m cautiously hopeful about his talent evaluation but he has to have a real resume before there is anything to have faith in.

The better comparison is to LaDainian Tomlinson. He was a dynamic every down back, but was not the all-around player that Edge was.

Don't forget that this is Ballard's first draft with his own staff and scouting dept. Last year he used Grigson's guys and their info.