PFF is putting together team-specific draft boards for all 32 teams using our draft rankings and evaluation of how each player fits in specific schemes.
Included are three ideal targets for each team with their first-, second-, and third-round picks, along with a team-specific draft board [scroll down to bottom of article] that includes every player in PFF's draft rankings.
Here is the entry for the Indianapolis Colts:
Round 1 (18th overall)
Cody Whitehair, OG, Kansas State
Whitehair isn’t a sexy pick for the Colts, but he would be a very useful one. The Colts are in need of interior offensive line help, and the best guard in this class would be an immediate upgrade. He doesn’t offer brute strength, but almost always puts himself in the perfect position to make the necessary block.
The Colts are in need of a big nose tackle to anchor their 3-4 defensive front, and Reed can be that player. He doesn’t offer a ton as a pass-rusher, but his +39.9 grade against the run was second-best in the nation last season. He can clog up the middle and knows how to find the ball and make a play.
Floyd is a versatile player that can move all over the field on defense—something the Colts are very much in need of. He could fill a role at inside linebacker for them, or they could put him on the edge and let him unleash his inside spin and counter moves that gave FBS tackles nightmares last season.
Round 2 (48th overall)
Kyler Fackrell, OLB, Utah State
With Robert Mathis getting up there in age, the Colts need to find a young, athletic pass-rusher to take his place once he’s retired. Enter Fackrell, who is one of the better pass-rushers in this class. He also had a positive grade on 192 coverage snaps last season, so his versatility is something the Colts would love.
If the Colts can’t get Whitehair, then Garnett is the next best bet for them at guard. He’s a solid pass-blocker, but really shines as a powerful run-blocker and has the potential to be one of the best in the league in that area. He’s a perfect fit for the Colts’ man-blocking scheme.
Perkins would be a fantastic fit for the Colts because he’s likely not ready for a full-time role right away. With Frank Gore as the Colts’ starter, Perkins would get time to develop while being the change-of-pace back. He’s incredibly quick, and his elusive rating of 115.0 was best in the nation last year among FBS RBs.
Round 3 (82nd overall)
There’s a good chance Henry is long-gone by this pick, but we at PFF like him as a third- or fourth-round selection. He’s an extremely powerful runner that can plow through contact, which the Colts would love given their offensive-line issues. The Colts’ situation would give the Heisman winner time to improve other parts of his game, as well.
Tackle isn’t the Colts’ most pressing need, but it is still a need. Coleman is a guy who can down-block in a man-scheme as well as any tackle in the draft. He’s got a lot of work to do in the pass-blocking game, but he could be a very useful player for Indianapolis with his NFL-ready run-blocking skills.
The Colts would love an athletic player like Lowry on their defensive line. He’s best projected as a defensive end in the Colts’ 3-4 scheme, as he’s at his best when he can just run through the opposing lineman. He’s a work-in-progress, but he has elite athleticism that Indy could take a chance on.
[table id=1187 /]
© 2024 PFF - all rights reserved.