The sudden retirement announcement of Phil Costa at Center left a huge gaping hole to fill especially after cutting veteran Samson Satele. The Colts thought they had filled the interior of the line with the Costa free agent signing and they were caught flat footed when he did announce.
Huge problem on Draft Day
The Indianapolis Colts have a huge draft day problem as they traded away their first round pick for Trent Richardson, which hasn’t worked out as planned and they traded away a fourth round pick in a draft day move in the 2013 draft. This year they feel that pain as they only have 5 draft picks and positions to fill.
Free agency losses and signings
Losing their Safety, Antoine Bethea to the 49ers in free agency was a huge blow. They paid a fortune to get LaRon Landry and he needs an adept partner on the field. Bargain basement signing of Colt Anderson at isn’t that guy. Hakeem Nicks signing in free agency from the Giants may help, but I’m not sold that he can still play at a high level.
Team position needs
The Colts need a Cornerback, a Wide receiver, especially with Reggie Wayne showing his age and coming off season ending injury, and some depth on the offensive line to protect Andrew Luck as he has been targeted heavily in the last two seasons and can’t expect to take this volume of hard hits. They also need a pass rushing Defensive End and a run stopping linebacker.
2014 NFL Draft Recap–Indianapolis Colts
Jack Mewhort OT Ohio State Round 2 Pick #27
6’6 310 pound Offensive tackle with all the tools. Team Captain at Ohio State who can play either side of the line at guard or tackle, possibly transitioning to Center as well. Which would instantly fix the Costa retirement mess. Has all the tools to start immediately for the Colts. Needs some conditioning, building up his core but has an unstoppable motor and good anchor strength. May need some time to adjust to the speed and quickness of edge rushing Defensive Ends. Some agility drills and improvement could make for an All Pro lineman in a few years. Excellent pick in the 2nd round.
Donte Moncrief WR Mississippi Round 3 Pick #26
Looking into the future, the Colts realize that one day like Marvin Harrison, Reggie Wayne will retire. With a huge scare last year, they can no longer ignore their perennial problem they have had in the wide receiver depth. A 6’2″ 220 pound wide receiver who runs a 4.4 40 yard dash, with amazing boost off the snap and a jet engine strapped to his back quickly out running most corners in the league. A young player who will take the field his rookie year as a 21 year old. With Andrew Luck throwing the ball, he could easily be a deep threat, #1 receiver with Reggie Wayne still on the roster. Not afraid to block and competes for the ball. Route running will improve with coaching and will need pass catching techniques that teach hand catching rather than chest catching. Lucky for him he has Reggie Wayne as his teacher. An awesome addition to Hilton and Wayne and another weapon for Andrew Luck. Maturity issue as he has had some off the field incidents and that is the Colts biggest concern.
Jonathan Newsome DE Ball State Round 5 Pick #26
Plays with quick speed and good lateral movement but gets crushed by stronger lineman. That’s a big concern and the Colts will have to address that. Either that or switch him to a OLB position and he can play in the nickel. Perhaps a NFL strength conditioning program can add twenty pounds of muscle and still maintain his quickness. Then we might have a very solid pass rushing Defensive End.
Andrew Jackson LB Western Kentucky Round 6 Pick #27
Puzzling pick. Not sure why the Colts didn’t speculate on a secondary player. They really didn’t get any quality here. Lazy, terrible character and overall not a NFL caliber player as shown by his terrible speed, lack of agility and poor one on one tackling. I just don’t see this guy in the NFL or on the opening day roster. Maybe he is practice squad fodder. Who knows. GM Grigson was out of his mind with this pick.
Ulrick John OT Georgia State Round 7 Pick #17
6’5″ 285 pound Offensive tackle. Project player, undersized for the position but amazing speed for a big man. Could easily be transitioned to a defensive end position or outside linebacker. Huge competitive spirit, that needs to add bulk and strength if he is to stay a lineman. I don’t see success for him at that position, but I do see a quality defensive end or OLB in a few years time. A NFL strength program with solid coaching and this could be a steal in the 7th round
Overall Draft Analysis
The Colts had a rough day having so few picks. The Costa retirement was a killer. I think they did ok for what they had but all involved will likely put the 2014 NFL draft to the back shelf of their mind. They got a quality lineman in Mewhort, a possible break out wide receiver in Moncrief. Their 5th and 6th round picks were a bit puzzling, but I love their 7th rounder.
Draft Grade-B minus
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