Track Guy

Personally, I don't think we'll be picking in the top 5 in 2019. However top 10? I'd bet yes as of right now. We have to just add some difference makers. There are some things to like about our roster. I like our QB, young interior O-line, some of the young defensive talent added over the last couple years. I think we could be really good in another year or two, I really do.

This makes sense, too bad Slauson got hurt but it sure is nice to have Smith waiting in the wings.

Which 3 OTs are you thinking? There's some speculation that Adams may go back for a 5th year. I know there's first round buzz on Jonah Williams, Greg Little, and David Edwards - are those the 3 names or are there others?

I thought he held up pretty well, especially for a rookie playing his secondary position. It will be good to know moving forward that he can cover RT if needed, although I think it'd be good to look at our options at OT next off season as well. Not only is RT a position of high interest, next year is a contract year for Castonzo.

What's the alternative while Haeg is out? I guess Good? One of those two will probably be it. I'd guess Clark. I don't think Clark is the longterm answer but we have to roll with what we've got.

R1 - Jeffrey Simmons, DL, Mississippi St. - A dynamic prospect who shows strong against the run and the rare ability to provide a pass rush from the inside. Our scheme in particular will be given a major boost by having a dominant DT. R2 - Kelvin Harmon, WR, North Carolina St. - A big possession receiver who has good hands and NFL athleticism. He could fight for the #2 WR role on our roster immediately. R2 - Trey Adams, OL, Washington - He’s a top 15 pick if healthy. Adams has a rare blend of size and athleticism. His technique is pretty good and he's nearly impossible to bull rush. He comes with some durability concerns but immense talent. R3 - Khalil Hodge, LB, Buffalo - Another balanced linebacker who can cover the run or the pass to add to our lineup. He could push for a starting position role early, in addition to our good young talent. R4 - Alijah Holder, CB, Stanford - A cornerback with good length and ball skills. There were some medical concerns with him, but so far he’s looked to have fully recovered, this year. R4 - Yodny Cajuste, OL, West Virginia - An athletic tackle who could use a bit of refinement. He’s got adequate, but not overwhelming length. His foot speed and strength are tremendous. R5 - Derrick Baity, CB, Kentucky - A lengthy cornerback who’s had a solid college career in the SEC. He’s had a lot of passes defended over his career, and the desired height that will help with defend taller receivers. R6 - Ryan Bee, Edge/DL, Marshall - He’s been used a lot inside and even as a nose tackle, but has found ways to create sacks nonetheless. His frame is more of a DE frame, and he could be another outside/inside rusher that our scheme tends to like to stock a few of. R7 - Matt Gay, K, Utah - If our kicker finally feels like retiring, here’s a good replacement option for him. Overview: O-line: I've added 2 tackles, as I think we're all set with the guys we have in the middle. We've seen how thin we are at the position this year when Castonzo is out. Speaking of Castonzo, 2019 will be a contract year for him and he'll be 31. Adams would be fairly likely to start at RT as a rookie (if he had overcome the health issues) and Cajuste would be waiting in the wings as a potential starter or swing tackle in the future. I'd still think of Haeg as the swing tackle after this mock for 2019. D-line: Adding an elite defensive tackle is the goal. You never know, because some draft picks bust but Simmons looks good... Good enough that he might be that kind of guy. Ryan Bee is a nice late round prospect who could provide rotational value. We have Tyquan Lewis coming back, and with DEs Jabaal Sheard, Denacio Autry, and Kemoko Turay I'm okay with mostly focusing on creating more interior strength in our front 4. Linebacker: I finally like a lot of what we've done here. Darius Leonard has looked good so far, and Anthony Walker is off to a solid start. I think Skai Moore is at least a very nice rotational guy. But I still think adding one more in Hodge (the best Khalil out of Buffalo since Mack) could carry lots of bang for the buck of a 3rd round pick. Secondary: I don't think it's that desperate a situation, so while I addressed it, I didn't do so on the first 2 days. That said, I really like a couple of the CBs that are eligible this year (like DeAndre Baker for one). I think an improved defensive front will help our secondary, which is already performing surprisingly well so far in 2018. So I've added 2 guys with length who are used to playing at a high competition level in college. As for safety, I've added a depth player at the position. Wide Receiver: We are pretty thin here these days. Behind T.Y. Hilton, nobody has really separated themselves. With promising rookie Deon Cain coming back, and the addition of a guy like Harmon, I think our WR group will be looking better after this mock.

The defense is clicking pretty well, the offense isn't. Andrew Luck has got to play better, but it's not all on him either. Our running backs had something like 37 yards, that's not a recipe to win games. I don't think our weapons are very scary (outside of Hilton) and our starting LT has been out, so I don't expect 40 points per game, but I do expect Luck to improve as he gets back into the flow of NFL action.

I remember him from when he was a college prospect... Fine with seeing how he develops on the PS, maybe he'll provide some solid depth eventually.

I don't think he's specifically hurt, but I think it is evidence that they might be exercising a bit of caution with Luck. That's not a bad thing, it means he's probably still improving each week.

At some point during the next offseason, I'd like to see another OT and WR on offense. And hopefully a difference making DT and/or an edge rusher on defense. Who we can get in the draft vs free agency, it's early to say at this point but we can start to guess.

I think DT is a point of weakness on our roster, as we've shifted our defensive front. Also I wonder what the young guys at DE bring. Personally, I think Ballard will draft BPA but if it's a tie I see him bolstering the trenches over the secondary.

Trey Adams is another name at OT to consider. He's been compared to Taylor Lewan. Could play RT for a couple years on our roster and then evaluate whether he can be the next franchise LT. But this is all pretty far away at this point!

I think just about everyone agrees from L - R on the first 3 starters: Castonzo, Nelson, and Kelly. RG could be Mewhort, Slauson, or Smith. I would say barring injury Mewhort should be favored, although that's not to be taken for granted. RT could be Howard, Haeg, or Good. I would imagine Howard will enter as the favorite to start, but not by a landslide by any means. One thing that's obvious, is that not only has our starting line gotten better, but also our depth is better. I've just mentioned 9 names here, 6 of which are gunning for 2 starting spots. I believe the interior of our line looks super promising for several years to come and that for the '18 season, our situation at tackle should be good enough to succeed (provided Castonzo can stay reasonably healthy.) Long term we may well need another tackle, but I like the roster of this O-line the best of any that Luck has had to work with. I expect them to improve as the season goes along, too.

I forecast the top 3 needs as being DT, OT, CB in that order. DT because with our scheme shift and reshuffling of our roster, I think a dominant addition there improves our roster more than any else. OT because our situation at RT is not clear and Castonzo at LT will be entering a contract year next season (and he's not exactly a kid anymore). CB is next, and I know what we do there will be influenced by the development of our younger guys.

He's a talented football player, but seems mentally unstable. Having said that, I still find it weird he caught so much heat for the Jonathan Martin thing while Pouncey and Terry, nobody bats an eyelash at. As for his future in the NFL... I'm not sure if it's in the cards at this age, with his personality. Certainly not for a team like the Colts, who have some new exciting talent at guard. Maybe somebody will take a flier, you never know.