*************2013 NFL DRAFT GRADES************

1.24 Bjoern Werner, DE, FSU

Werner was one of the safest defensive players in the draft and the Colts got him at a really good place here. He won't become a 15 sack guy, but he should get you 5-8 a year easily.

B+
 
3.86 Hugh Thornton, OG, Illinois

This might be a little early for Thornton, but it is a solid overall pick. They fill a need and they get an ok value for it.

B-

4.121 Khaled Holmes, C, USC

5.139 Montori Hughes, DT, Tennessee-Martin

6.192 John Boyett, S, Oregon

7.230 Kerwynn Williams, RB, Utah State

7.254 Justice Cunningham, TE, South Carolina

OVERALL GRADE: ____

No, I didn't forget to give a grade, this is just a draft worth forgetting. In fact, I'm not a fan of the entire Colts offseason. They added a ton of backup-caliber players and gave them time consuming (not necessarily big money) contracts. This is the kind of offseason that the Jags and Raiders are having, but this is a team that went to the playoffs last year.

This draft was one of the most forgettable ones ever. Bjoern Werner is the only players really worth mentioning, and he is a project fit into the Colts new defense. I hate to say it, but this team resembles some of the teams that Peyton Manning carried to the playoffs, and I just don't know why they would continue the age old tradition of having only one elite player.


 
 *************2012 NFL DRAFT GRADES************ 

Picks

1.1 Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

I can't blame the Colts one bit for drafting Andrew Luck, but there is still a feeling in my stomach that the team could have done so much more with the pick surplus that the Rams got to build around Manning.

A

2.34 Coby Fleener, TE, Stanford

It's not often that you see a team take the player that caught balls from his college QB, but this pick made sense. The Colts needed tight end help badly, and Fleener was the best in the draft.

B+

3.64 Dwayne Allen, TE, Clemson

The Colts get their second tight end of the draft. It's not a terrible move given the number of two-TE sets forming in the NFL, and Andrew Luck has to love it.

B+

3.92 T.Y Hilton, WR, FIU

Hilton was a sleeper for a lot of guys, and he makes sense to Indy, but there were other guys on the board that made more sense. It looks like the Colts want to build a powerhouse offense to challenge the divisional defenses.

C+

5.136 Josh Chapman, DT/NT, Alabama

The team never found much talent at defensive tackle under the former (overrated) GM Bill Polian, and I could see Chapman starting sooner than later.

B+

5.170 Vick Ballard, RB, Mississippi State

You can pretty much take what I said about Chapman and apply it to Ballard and the running back position. 

B+

6.206 LaVon Brazill, WR, Ohio

7.208 Justin Anderson, OG, Georgia

7.214 Tim Fugger, OLB, Vanderbilt

7.253 Chandler Harnish, QB, NIU

 
OVERALL GRADE: A

This is a draft that is so much different than Bill Polian's. The team found a QB for the future, three receiving players that will help ease Luck very well into the league, and great value throughout the draft. The team realistically may have found six different starters.
 
*************2011 NFL DRAFT GRADES************ 

  Picks

1.22 Anthony Castonzo, OT, Boston College

I had long said that the team hasn't gone OT in the first round in a LONG time, and I am so happy that I got this pick wrong in my mock. The team gets a good value guy, and they fill probably their biggest need.

A
 
1.49 Ben Ijalana, OT/G, Villanova

Now Polian is just rubbing the salt into my wound. Ijalana is another great value, and at worst he will be guard. There is a chance though that he beats out Castonzo at LT over time.

A 
 
3.87 Drake Nevis, DT, LSU

I would make a Bill Polian DT joke, but he got a guy that really could have gone a little sooner. Another good pick.

B+
 
4.119 Delone Carter, RB, Syracuse

I really like this pick. Carter really struck fire from December until now, and he could add some very good depth.

B+
 
6.188 Chris Rucker, CB, Michigan State

Here is the annual 'eh' corner back pick from Polian. I can't hate it too much because it fits a need and is a late round pick.

B-

Draft Grade: B+

 The Colts found two guys that will instantly help Peyton Manning, and they also find a couple of guys to help bolster depth. This is maybe the quietest, least risky draft out there, but the Colts are ok with that.

NEW GRADE: A-

I really loved the fact that the team focused on protecting Peyton Manning with their first two picks. The rest of the picks will hopefully get some playing time, but it is key to know that Peyton has insurance now.