Bjorn Werner first round pick (merge)

[ConBro]

If it's any consolation, when word came through that the Vikings' pick was in, the Colts' pick was immediately in as well. Grigson and Chuck got their man.

[Warhorse]

Didn't Pagano even joke about turning the German over to Pep in short yardage\goal line situations....

Guten Tag, mein kleinen freundchen!!!

Colts now have die Waffe

[Warhorse]

Maybe they will make a film about what he brings to the Colts. We could call it

 

The Bjorn Identity

[SteelCityColt]

Maybe they will make a film about what he brings to the Colts. We could call it

The Bjorn Identity

[Insert Colts Pun Here]

For the record I had wished the Colts would've traded back to pick up extra picks in a draft really deep with talent..That didnt happen.  So im studying the move Grigs and Pags are looking to do, and when you really think about it one of the things Bjoern Werner brings to the D is something that was simply non-existent last year- pass rush and pressure..Think about it the guy batts down passes @ the line, he's got over 20 sacks in just the last two years alone, he's a versitile player who attacks from the line AND from the stand up, 18 TFL and 8 pass break up last year alone!! I see this guy as a chess piece for pags to line up to whatever the situation dictates.. rotate him on DE, OR on third and long line him up across from Mathis.  From the way Grigs is talking he's here to compete for opposite Mathis with Hughes and Walden(I dont think they care what his pay is) Which is awesome..and makes for a nasty camp competiton and eventual rotation. Took me a minute..but  I like it.

If there's one thing I like about the pick, its the versatility that it gives our defence.

With Werner, Mathis and Walden we can line up in so many different looks and really bring something different every down. Another guy may not have allowed us that freedom.

[SLILLINGTON10]

If he turns out to be even close to JJ Watt ... I will happily eat my words and admit I was completely wrong for being against this pick.

on film he looks like he could be a poor mans JJ Watt. 6'3'' 266 and athletic (JJ is 6'5'' 295 i believe).

[Gavin]

He could be that good, Several things jump out to me on film Werner does well

 

1.He keeps his eyes on the ball

2.He is very disciplined in containment

3.He shows a very quick first step off the ball....probably not Carradine quick but still explosive

4.Sheds blocks well (And not just from TE's either)

5.He has very good closing burst 

6.He plays the run actually pretty well

7.He did not do it alot but, he is not bad at dropping back into a short zone in coverage

[SteelCityColt]

 

Maybe they will make a film about what he brings to the Colts. We could call it

The Bjorn Identity

 

 

 

 

Odd, link wouldn't appear after posting and I can't edit my post now?

 

[esmort]

If it's any consolation, when word came through that the Vikings' pick was in, the Colts' pick was immediately in as well. Grigson and Chuck got their man.

 

I don't know if you are trying to say that the Colts made their pick as soon as they were on the clock, but if so that is not the case (although it keeps getting posted). The Colts were on the clock 5-6 minutes before making their pick ... if you watch the timer behind the announcers you will see this, also a colts fan who was at the draft confirmed in another thread that the Colts did not make their pick immediately and were on the clock for 5-6 minutes. The pick only appeared to happen so fast because the picks were backed up and the ticker was running behind.

 

So they may have "gotten their man", but it was no "insta-pick" like some are making it out.

[HtownColt]

Brad wells was at Music hall and he said Colts pick is in, no trade on twitter..way before Vikes announced Shariff Floyd, but they didn't want us spoiling it in the chat room because they haven't even announced Floyd yet

[UKColt13]

As Mayock said, he reminds me a lot of Paul Kruger. Hope he brings the same production.

[CroatianColtsFan21]

Its not just that Xavier Rhodes was available or unfamiliarity with Werner I think its a combination of other players available, not trading back and picking up more picks especially after seeing the New England trade, and Werner being a 4/3 DE that we are going to have to transition ... and yes I know what Grigson and Pagano are saying about him, but what else are they going to say; "we are hoping he can make the transition"

 

Personally I really don't like the pick and would have rather seen us trade back.

 

i wanted us to trade back also, but you can't be upset we didn't, cause it takes 2 teams to make a trade.. you can't know if there were any interested teams (i presume not, because of our position - sandwiched between 2 minnesota picka) no matter what grigs and pags say ("didn't think about the trade down even for a moment")..

 

what are they supposed to say?? we didn't like anyone and wanted to trade down, but no one was interested so we picked werner??

 

i like this scenario better than to trade back just to trade back and get one lousy extra later round  pick (as did the raiders)..

[HtownColt]

i wanted us to trade back also, but you can't be upset we didn't, cause it takes 2 teams to make a trade.. you can't know if there were any interested teams (i presume not, because of our position - sandwiched between 2 minnesota picka) no matter what grigs and pags say ("didn't think about the trade down even for a moment")..

what are they supposed to say?? we didn't like anyone and wanted to trade down, but no one was interested so we picked werner??

i like this scenario better than to trade back just to trade back and get one lousy extra later round pick (as did the raiders)..

@NFLDraftBites: #Eagles are in discussions w/ #Colts about 24th Overall Pick. Look for Action. Geno Smith Time?

Colts felt Werner was too good to pass up

[IrishColt22]

I agree would have thought we would have traded back but delighted with the pick the more competition the better. Could go OL in the third now 

[ricker182]

I think it's a solid pick. I honestly think he has more potential in the NFL as an OLB anyway.

 

Would have rather had Rhodes because I think he will be a top tier CB.

 

The one thing I HATE about him is the fact that he gives up on plays. He doesn't run after the ball carrier if they're on the other side of the field. I've seen this come back to bite him in the butt, too.

Hopefully some strict instruction will kill this habit.

 

After what Grigs was able to accomplish in a year though, how could I question this move? 

[UKColt13]

Strange pick..

 

.....Never heard of him......2nd round grade

 

 

They must feel they know something no one else knows

We're did you find him with a 2nd round grade. I've never seen him mocked past the mid 20s.

[SteelCityColt]

If I'm honest I'm unsure what to make of the pick, When I first woke up and looked who we had taken I felt bit deflated,I know he was rated pre-combine, but as with all draftees stock goes up and down and he'd gone down on many people's boards after the combine (the inverse to Ansah I guess). That and I favored a G (after trading back) to complete our O line overhaul. 

 

However in the cold light of my post cup of coffee musing, I'm feeling more positive about the pick. His tape does look quite good, and I have to trust the Front Office's evaluation is going to be a heck of lot better than the majority of posters/talking heads. They've worked the guy out, studied the tape in depth etc. They did also seem genuinely stoked that he had dropped to us at 24. My major concern is going to be that he's a 4-3 DE playing 3-4 OLB but as people have pointed out we don't play a straight 3-4 and looking at his combine times he can't be accused or relying on raw speed for his pass rush success. 

 

Overall gut feel is that it prove to be a solid pick at the least, but maybe not JJ Watt spectacular say. 

[esmort]

Brad wells was at Music hall and he said Colts pick is in, no trade on twitter..way before Vikes announced Shariff Floyd, but they didn't want us spoiling it in the chat room because they haven't even announced Floyd yet

 

When the actual annoucements were made were no way representative of how long a team was on the official pick clock.  I was watching the official one behind the announcers that was showing the Colts time as they were talking about an earlier pick and it was ticking at about 5-6 minutes.  Another forum poster who was there said he personally saw the Colts on the clock for 5-6 minutes.

[smittywerb]

It's funny how everyone on this board hates the pick when nfl analyst and scouts praise it.

For now on, i know if the board hates something, then it is most likely a good thing.

Dude was a top 10 pick until his combine. I don't really care about the combine when it comes to lineman, the combine is built to expose skill players more anyway. As long as dude has the talent on the field (obviously he does) then I could care less about a 40 or shuttle time.

And yeah we could have had Rhodes, but Werner is a possible starter and will DEFINITELY be a rotational player with walden while Rhodes would have possibly been our 3rd corner. Not saying one pick is better than the other, but to crap on the Werner pick is just hating.

[bayone]

    Strange pick..

 

.....Never heard of him......2nd round grade

 

 

They must feel they know something no one else knows

 

many mocks like Mayock for 1 had him as 1st round grade & to Denver to replace Doom if fell that much & as an instant starter, does all well not perfect , but rushes and stops run both , high motor guy

 

Thing is he is a 4-3 player, can he transition to olb is the question

 

 

1 analyst is qusetioning this and was used as 2nd team  who most a dissapointmented on a NFL Network review

[bayone]

It's funny how everyone on this board hates the pick when nfl analyst and scouts praise it.

For now on, i know if the board hates something, then it is most likely a good thing.

Dude was a top 10 pick until his combine. I don't really care about the combine when it comes to lineman, the combine is built to expose skill players more anyway. As long as dude has the talent on the field (obviously he does) then I could care less about a 40 or shuttle time.

And yeah we could have had Rhodes, but Werner is a possible starter and will DEFINITELY be a rotational player with walden while Rhodes would have possibly been our 3rd corner. Not saying one pick is better than the other, but to crap on the Werner pick is just hating.

 

I will repeat this

 

 

many  mocks like Mayock for 1  had him as 1st round grade & to Denver to replace Doom if fell that much & as an instant starter, does all well not perfect , but rushes and stops run both , high motor guy

 

Thing is he is a 4-3 player, can he transition to olb is the question , 

 

1 analyst is qusetioning this and was used as 2nd team  who most a dissapointmented on a NFL Network review

[smittywerb]

I will repeat this

many mocks like Mayock for 1 had him as 1st round grade & to Denver to replace Doom if fell that much & as an instant starter, does all well not perfect , but rushes and stops run both , high motor guy

Thing is he is a 4-3 player, can he transition to olb is the question ,

1 analyst is qusetioning this and was used as 2nd team who most a dissapointmented on a NFL Network review

I think he will be fine. Just stick with the high motor and work on his moves

[Gavin]

Werner will be in a rotation likely which means expectations should be tempered, he looks very good on tape, He plays very disciplined most of the time with containment, he has the strength and some pass rush moves to shed blocks, He has a very good motor, He will be a bit of a developmental player, I dont expect a ton of production his first year but I am sure we will see plenty of flashes of many more positive things to come from him, we just have to be patient, In many cases 1st round draft picks are meant to start but that was never going to happen with us unless we landed Cooper because of how active we were in FA and having other vets starting before that (Bethea, Redding), Just got to be patient and watch him progress learning from Mathis, Hopefully he breaks out some film of Freeney to

 

 

 

Yeah we need spell check on here 

[HarassedOffTheSite]

Hello Colts fans...I'm gonna start out by saying I'm a Browns fan primarily but the Colts are one of my top secondary teams I've rooted for over the years, if not my top secondary. Manning pulled me in and Freeney/Mathis kept me coming back. You guys were my yearly hope of keeping the f'ing patriots out of the superbowl. Ok, so why I am signing up now? To tell you guys you freakin stole one in this years draft. I've been following that kid for a few months now, I've watched almost all his games from the past two seasons. Youtube has awesome "VS" highlights which take a player and show only the offense or defensive snaps from an entire game and highlight said player before every snap. I watched a bunch of these video's from all the top guys, Moore/Jones/Mingo/Ansah/Jordan etc, etc. Basically anybody that had a shot of becoming a Cleveland Brown. Months ago before the draft some mocks had Werner going 2nd but some people were saying this kid could possibly go to a 3-4, so I looked him up.

Honest to god this german kid is the real deal. The only defensive guy who's "overall" tape looks as good as Werner's was Demontre. All these guys put on great highlight reels, heck so does Werner. But when you look at a guys every snap from multiple games...you realize these highlights are just complete * with a lot of these guys. I'll use our pick tonight as an example....Barkevious Mingo is AWESOME when nobody's touching him. Same with Ansah. Just freaks that when they get their wheels rolling just flash all over the place. The problem is those are highlights. WHat happens to em play after play in succession? Mingo, Ansah and Jordan had real problems when offensive lineman from good programs were able to get a hold of them. When Mingo got run at, he couldn't hold the point. I'm really curious as to what my browns expect of him in our 3-4 cause if the play goes his way he's either gonna get trucked or he has to sidestep a lineman too much and the play is by him. He's freakin 6'4 240.....can't play the run as a 3-4 OLB at that weight and frame, not in the NFL, not if you're expected to hold up at the point and turn runs inside.

So now Werner. I invite all of you who don't know who this guy is to go to youtube and type in "Bjoern Werner Vs.". Look at the senior games especially. He had an awesome junior year but he was playing in the 270's. They dropped him to like 255-260 and he may have gotten even better. First off, the kid is the most explosive front seven player off the line in the entire draft this year....hands down. When he gets in his 4 point he blows off the ball like a boss. I remember reading that * kipper talking about Werners lack of "fast twitch" or explosiveness blah blah blah....utterly ridiculous I don't think he watched a minute a tape. Tape doesn't lie. Werner got what, 14 sacks in the ACC? All of the edge. If there's one cut on him it's that he got all his sacks off pretty much the same move to the outside, lacks experience in making moves to the inside...big deal that can be taught, especially when tackles in the NFL are gonna have to cheat to the edge with him. He develops one solid inside move and you guys replaced Freeney.

Ok so you're saying well alex, that's all fine and good but he did that with his hands down...we run a 3-4. Yes, yes that is an issue. One that FS St. kind of negated this past year cause they dropped him to OLB weight, he kept his strength, and they stood up him on a lot of plays when they thought it was a run. Ok so I can't vouch for how the guys gonna cover in space, that is a definite issue with him cause he barely did at all in college....but what I do know is that when they stood him up to stop the run he was a golem. Straight up land squatting golem. Even though he was like 3rd in the nation in sacks, remember he played in the ACC so he played the best of the best including the SEC on a regular basis, his strength is his run stopping. It was jaw dropping to see the guy stuff monstrous offensive lineman, even push them back into the run lane...disengage at will and if not make the tackle, get in on it or at the very least redirect to the inside. I mean this freak fcker was taking on tackle and fullback combo blocks and still holding the point. There was just a ridiculous play he made against Miami where he lined up to the inside between the guard and tackle and both combo blocked him. I mean these two OL were utterly enormous, well over 600lbs of meat blocking down on him. He held them up for an instant and then disappeared...it looked like he just got swallowed up. Next thing I see is that freaks helmet pop up on the other side of the tackle. So he fired out into the block, read the play, then dipped down and to his left to come out on the other side of the tackle as the two OL spill out past him. His pad level was the same when he popped up on the other side, facing up field looking for the incoming runner. The runner looked like he might break to the outside but he saw Werner and cut inside after the two lineman. By that time the defense had collapsed down. Runner still got a few yards but it could have been a lot worse. That whole Miami game Werner was going up against Centrell Henderson who's gonna be a top 10 pick likely when he comes out. Miami even had to send help with the fullback on Werners side. Werner still was literally inches from potentially have 5 or 6 sacks in that game cause he was brushing by the qb around the edge all game long. The tackle did alright against him I'm not gonna say Werner dominated him...but as the game wore on Werner started to grind him down. There was no drop of in performance from him. But that was in pass protection...Werner stuffed the run on his side the whole game.

So this is why I wanted my browns to take a look at him and possibly try to convert him. I understood the reluctance of my fellow fans to use the #6 pick on him especially when we have glaring issues in our backfield and we picked up Paul Kruger in the offseason. But despite already having 3 OLB'ers we still took Mingo with Milliner on the board. Bizarre but that's why we're not good. Oh well. YOu guys though, with Luck running the offense and a top 5 running game which I don't believe you ever had with Manning right? Dear god you guys look potentially sick. The defense was 7th against the pass but 22 against the run...that number is coming down with Werner I promise. No question about it. You guys have Walden on the other side and Mathis is still the premier pass rusher...you're set. The Werner pick was sick for you guys. You got "exactly" what your defense needed. It's possible in the next year or two you have a defense that Manning never had behind him and Luck looks to be no worse. The Colts are back in the AFC championship in two years.

Thanks.

[Steagles]

If for some reason Barrett Jones isn't there in the third, maybe BW Webb, the corner, will still be there. I like him more than Rhodes, honestly.

[Gavin]

Brian Winters

[Gavin]

[BleedBlu8792]

on film he looks like he could be a poor mans JJ Watt. 6'3'' 266 and athletic (JJ is 6'5'' 295 i believe).

I don't think the JJ Watt comparison is accurate because they play two separate positions. I think he's a guy who will end up being compared to Suggs in the Colts system.

[CroatianColtsFan21]

@NFLDraftBites: #Eagles are in discussions w/ #Colts about 24th Overall Pick. Look for Action. Geno Smith Time?

Colts felt Werner was too good to pass up

 

either that, or the compensation eagles were willing to give was not worth it in grigs and pags eyes.. any way, i'm fine with their decision..

[bayone]

DRAFT ANALYSIS:

"I think he's really a good fit for Chuck Pagano. Very similar player by the name of (Paul) Kruger that he drafted in the second round when he was with the Baltimore Ravens. He will thrive in a Chuck Pagano system." -- Mike Mayock

 

http://www.nfl.com/draft/2013/profiles/bjoern-werner?id=2540141

[dpete]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ydHxSVDR-fQ

Highlights

Not familiar with him, but love seeing all the plays made against the run. He might not be the flashy sack specialist everyone wanted on the outside, but we've had that for ten years and look where that got out run defense...

[Narcosys]

Am I wrong in thinking that datone jones would have been better than Werner? Since I know nothing about Werner, this is not criticism. Can anyone give me the contrast between the two?

[Dan]

Am I wrong in thinking that datone jones would have been better than Werner? Since I know nothing about Werner, this is not criticism. Can anyone give me the contrast between the two?

 

Well, Datone is a 3-4 end, Werner will play outside, so there's a pretty big difference there! I really like both players... Datone is a better immediate scheme fit, Werner may have to adjust to standing up, but if you're talking pure "BPA" potential Werner's got him beat.

[Balzer40]

I'm not gonna make any secret of the fact that I despise this pick. Werner is a 4-3 LDE IMO and I think we'll all regret this pick was ever made. I hope he proves me wrong but there is absolutely nothing impressive about Werner to me.

[theanarchist]

Not familiar with him, but love seeing all the plays made against the run. He might not be the flashy sack specialist everyone wanted on the outside, but we've had that for ten years and look where that got out run defense...

This guy has some real solid skills. As you say, plays the run real strong and he can rush the passer too. He looks to me like a natural fit at OLB. Listening to Mayock last night he said that Werner did much better in the OLB drills than he expected. To me, he looks like a lot like Mike Vrabel. Big, strong, and athletic. I think this is a real good fit.

[bayone]

I think he will be fine. Just stick with the high motor and work on his moves

 

 

I wanted to clarify this, I was really responding to the saying that    nfl analyst and scouts praise it.

 

 , this was the only 1 that didnt to my knowledge , I am not knocking the pick

 

The ones i read do love the guy as a cant miss player , does nothing really superbly but does everything really quite well or better

he is also solid at setting the edge Vs the run

 

as i later noted 

 

DRAFT ANALYSIS:

"I think he's really a good fit for Chuck Pagano. Very similar player by the name of (Paul) Kruger that he drafted in the second round when he was with the Baltimore Ravens. He will thrive in a Chuck Pagano system." -- Mike Mayock

 

Link also has a complete analysis of him besides the above quote

http://www.nfl.com/draft/2013/profiles/bjoern-werner?id=2540141

[BleedBlu8792]

I'm not gonna make any secret of the fact that I despise this pick. Werner is a 4-3 LDE IMO and I think we'll all regret this pick was ever made. I hope he proves me wrong but there is absolutely nothing impressive about Werner to me.

Terrell Suggs

Demarcus Ware

James Harrison

Lamarr Woodley

Paul Krueger

Mike Vrabel

And the list goes on and on who were predominantly 4-3 DE's in college who ALL have went on to become good-great 3-4 outside linebackers in the NFL. Give the guy a chance before selling him short.

Werner has the versatility of being able to play both outside linebacker spots. He's an outstanding pass rusher who is also very good at playing the run. I think JWF's comparison of him to Suggs is spot on. I look for him to have a hand in the dirt as much as he stands up.

Give the guy a shot...

[Valpo2004]

Without going through this whole thread, I do like this pick, we needed a pass rusher and this guy certainly sounds like he could at the very least rush the passer on 3rd down.

 

They way Mayock was talking he did pretty good in coverage drills too, so he might be able to learn the position quickly.  

[MIColtsFan]

YES!!!!!!!! defense for first pick! Thank you Grigs! Hopefully he earns a great nickname early...with everyone spelling and misprouncing his name that will get frustrating quick. Good luck to this young man. Looking forward to seeing Pags mold him into a heck of player.

[Balzer40]

Terrell Suggs

Demarcus Ware

James Harrison

Lamarr Woodley

Paul Krueger

Mike Vrabel

And the list goes on and on who were predominantly 4-3 DE's in college who ALL have went on to become good-great 3-4 outside linebackers in the NFL. Give the guy a chance before selling him short.

Werner has the versatility of being able to play both outside linebacker spots. He's an outstanding pass rusher who is also very good at playing the run. I think JWF's comparison of him to Suggs is spot on. I look for him to have a hand in the dirt as much as he stands up.

Give the guy a shot...

 

 

 

I always give every Colt a chance, but I've said all along and I truly believe it...that Werner isn't a good scheme fit for us. Like I already said, I hope he proves me wrong, but I'm not counting on it.