I think it goes without saying that we can’t evaluate Nelson or the situation yet. But doesn’t that also apply to the guys measuring him for his hall of fame jacket already too? But ultimately what’s the fun in that? I’ve given my opinion on the pick and I’ll happily admit I’m wrong if Nelson ends up in Canton and the Colts win some titles behind the strength of their offensive line. Will others admit they were wrong if Nelson is a top guard but the team is bounced earlier than expect in the playoffs every year because they lack defensive difference makers?

1) Yes. See my last post.

2) See my post about what I hope they can get in the draft today.

I have and largely agree. As I’ve said, the one thing I’m happy about is Ballard moved back before taking Nelson. Looking at the total draft haul the Colts should come away with a lot of help from this draft. I’m just praying he doesn’t go WR and RB in the 2nd.

What other Top 15 pick did Polian have? He got a defensive difference maker and drafted well later and didn't have to pick in the Top 15 again. I guess we'll see if s guard can have the same impact.

Agreed. I'm most worried that he'll take Sutton at 36/37, though I wouldn't be as down on it at 49. Ballard's been trying to get a big WR from Day 1 in Indy and we saw what Jeffrey did for Philly last year.

So only one instead of the plural that you used. Polian found just as many impact defenders as that in the fifth round.

I think I made this point clearly earlier, but just so I'm not accused of being a hypocrite later tonight: now, I'm in favor of going OL on Day 2.

The investment in Nelson was already made, so makes sense not to leave the job half-done now. Get a Hernandez or Williams type, or someone who is a great scheme-fit, bring them all up together. The value actually intersects in Rds 2-3, and if you're declaring this to be the draft where you reverse fortunes in the trenches, then you may as well follow through with that.

Yeah, agreed, Philly’s offense was #3 in the NFL in rushing last year.

They need to have the guys to do that. It’ll be interesting to see if they decide we need a 2nd round RB in order to help facilitate such a rushing attack.

I think we can safely assume Ballard will go BPA. It all depends on where he has Williams, Hernandez, Daniels, Landry, Oliver, Jackson, et al, ranked relative to each other.

Personally, I think he wants an infusion of speed on defense, which he will value more highly than one of the remaining OL prospects at this stage of the draft.

Coming into the draft, I thought there might be great value at RB in round 2 (and you could definitely make a case for Guice or Jones), but I didn't expect some of these defenders to fall. They could get 3-4 1st round talents on defense today.