Defjamz26

Cross has been listed as the backup SS all year. I honestly think it’s a Bradley issue. Much like Rodgers, for whatever reason Bradley doesn’t seem to want to get him on the field. I also think based on his tape that he should be given an opportunity to play FS first. Also I’m not sure the Colts have the space to bring all 4 back. Remember that they will also have to sign the draft class. According to Over The Cap we’ve got roughly $8 million in cap space. Maybe one of the board members who are good at the cap space can tell me if that’s even possible.

3 Kenny Moore Zaire Franklin Deforest Buckner

I was thinking CBs in FA because we mainly need depth and competition. I don’t think adding a bunch of rookies is the way to go though. That’s puts us back at square one. We lucked out with Brent’s and Jones playing well, but part of our initial problem was there was too much youth at corner.

It’s that time of year. College football is about to wrap up and those prospects will be in draft season in a few weeks. The Colts are on a bye, currently sitting at 5-5, which is 2nd place in a division that is up for grabs. I think we have a good idea of who the Colts are and where they need to go. Going into week 3 I would have definitively said the team needs were -CB -WR -RB At the bye, my updated team needs are: -WR -Edge -FS Upcoming FAs: -Michael Pittman -Grover Stewart -Kenny Moore -Julian Blackmon In this scenario I’m letting Pittman and Blackmon walk and bringing Moore and Stewart back. I’m not doing outside FAs because it’s too early Mock Draft: *Currently slotted to pick 15th overall according to Tankathon * Round 1: Rome Odunze, WR Washington- I think this pick is either Odunze, Coleman, or Nabers in that order. Odunze is a freak in terms of athleticism, and we know Ballard likes traits. He’s also produced a lot in college this season. Theres a legitimate argument to be made if he’s as good as MHJ. The stats and measureables are all similar Round 2: Tyler Nubin, FS Minnesota: Rodney Thomas is a good backup safety, but he shouldn’t be starting. Nubin is an upgrade who can also play nickel in certain packages. He’s a team captain and has great size at 6’2” and 210 lbs. He has 8 career picks, and turnovers is something we need more of Round 3: Jack Sawyer, Edge Ohio State- We need to keep investing in the Edge position until we find our guy. Also not sure we will pick up Paye’s 5th year option. Sawyer prides himself on setting a strong edge but he also shows great pass rush upside. Seems like a Sam Hubbard Clone. Also love his relentless motor. Round 4: Jordan Burch, DT Oregon: DL depth is a sneaky need, plus Buckner can’t play forever. Burch is 6’6” 290, and some think he’s a hybrid edge guy. I think he can play 3-tech. Buckner is the perfect mentor for him as well. Round 5: Beaux Limmer, OC- Kelly has suffered a lot of concussions and is towards the end of his career anyways. Regardless of if that’s this year or next, we need to get another center in. Limmer is a senior who’s been one of the highest grade IOL since last year. Round 6: Tyreek Chappel, CB Texas A&M- Developmental slot corner behind Moore. Round 7: Id put a late round LB here just not sure who. Ballard loves his day 3 LBs though. No trade downs here as it’s also too early for that. Let me know your thoughts. Thanks!!

I can safely say that I don’t see Leonard being on this team in 2024. All of us that watched the game saw how bad he was, but those grades confirm what the eye test showed. Doesn’t matter if it’s scheme or him just being washed because of injuries, he isn’t playing up to his contract at all.

I’d get a center from FA. If not you can draft one late. Center isn’t like LT where you need to spend a premium pick on one. Yes we have Pinter, but we’ve seen the issues with not having competition and depth at certain positions. Even if Kelly is back you need to bring someone else in.

Yes Corner is all about depth for me. We’ve seen really great rookie performances from Jones and Brent’s. We just need quality depth behind them and some of that can come from FA. It’s very easy to be enticed by the shiny new toy every year. That’s what a lot of teams who have solid QBs or young guys with upside do. They always think the guys coming out in the draft are better and then are surprised when they don’t work out. Richardson just needs to learn to avoid unnecessary contact and he’ll be fine. He’s also a better leader and teammate than Williams who is a giant red flag to me. For me I’m only going CB in round 2 if there’s an elite prospect there because I believe we have our starters for the future. We just need depth.

Yeah a real WR1 changes the game in so many different ways. The way teams are playing us now is a big slap in the face. They aren’t worried about anything deep and have all of their defenders playing underneath and then they stack the box. But if you put Rome Odunze on this team, imagine how good Downs could really be? He’s creating separation easily on his own, but with a legit number 1, it would back one of the safeties up. Idk about a DE in FA. Only guy that would be a potential game changer is Brian Burns but Panthers may not let him walk. Maybe Chase Young if he balls out with the 49ers. I’d still draft one 2nd or 3rd round. No matter what, I’d draft a corner though. Maybe 3rd or 4th round. Depth and competition.

Also probably helps that Sirianni has a GM who drafts and trades for guys at the premier positions.

You say that as if Rivers was an all world talent at QB the year he had him. He definitely played that best out of any of Ballard’s other QB’s, but that was past his prime Rivers. What he was able to do with him was impressive. Totally different skill set than Hurts. He seems to be the best “coach” out of the 3. Frank and Flus are better as coordinators.

It’s hard to make the arguments he’s made, but then go out and play the way he did in Germany and think that’s going to get the coaches attention. Scheme aside, he was straight up bad yesterday. He’s getting to the point where he’s a liability. Bradley isn’t a good DC, but I can’t say I disagree with how he’s used Shaq.

Good: -Lots of QB pressure from just about everyone lol. Lewis, Dayo, etc… all got some -It will stick out because it was for a 1st down, but Jones was excellent again. The eye test says that was the only catch he surrendered in single coverage Bad: -Minshew was awful. This game is almost as bad as the Jags game from him -Run defense was atrocious -This is the worst tackling performance I’ve seen from this team. They have zero clue on how to square up and tackle in space -Bradley should be fired now. wth was that play late in the 4th where he had no defensive lineman lined up in the middle of the line?? -Granson was not good today -Pittman continues to rack up yards buts it’s all underneath routes and screens -Run game was abysmal -Pierce with his usual 2 catch and then disappears I could go on but this may be the worst game the Colts played this year. 10 points is pathetic. But once again, the biggest takeaway for me is how badly this team needs a vertical threat. The passing offense is awful.

Also going back to the topic: Rod Moore, SAF Michigan Nehemiah Pritchett, CB Auburn Troy Franklin, WR Oregon JT Tuimaloau, Edge Ohio State

I said this on IG because there was a mock that had us taking Bowers: As much as most people like Odunze, Nabers, and Coleman, I would be okay if the Colts went with Bowers in round 1, and got another receiver in round 2. Yes we have Jelani Woods but he’s proven nothing yet, and Ballard should always push to be better at positions that aren’t 100% solidified. You’re losing MAC in FA anyways. You can have a depth chart of Bowers, Woods, Ogletree, and Mallory. 2nd round you get a guy like Xavier Legette or A.D. Mitchell. It also makes sense because Richardson seemed to throw to the TE’s more than Minshew.

Recovered from injuries is questionable. He may not ever be the player he was and the coaches may see that. I’m all for fitting the scheme around the players, but altering your entire game plan to see if an often injured LB can make the plays he use to make 2 years ago is a stretch. Especially when you’re already getting good production out of your other LBs. Its different with Nick Cross because Thomas and Blackmon (he’s been okay the last two games) aren’t playing good, so there’s reasons to figure out how to get him on the field in a way he can contribute. But the Colts defense doesn’t necessarily need better at the LB position. They need other players (corners, safety, and edge rushers) to generate the turnovers that Leonard would make. Honestly what this defense lacks more than anything else is a legit edge rusher and a ball hawking safety.

The thing that he offered the team was his ability to create turnovers. Forced fumbles and interceptions were his calling card. If you take that away, he’s an average LB at best. He’s undersized for a typical Off ball LB and I actually think Zaire is better against the run when it comes to instincts and play recognition. The injuries and the scheme change have taken away what made him special, and that’s really no one’s fault. It’s just a matter of circumstance.

A major upgrade is needed, but I don’t think it’s at the positions the OP mentioned. When I watch the games on Sunday there’s two positions that jump out to me as being in need of a major upgrade: WR and CB This team does not have a vertical receiver that stresses the opposing defense. We don’t have a guy who like Jamar chase says is “always ****** open”. We don’t have a guy who forces either a double team or the team’s top corner to follow them. This team needs a true Alpha mentality, X receiver. Downs is fine and will continue to develop into an a elite slot receiver, but he needs a 1A to his 1B. The other is DE. Much like WR, we don’t have that alpha guy who can win his one-on-one matchup. We have guys that get sacks in bunches. Like Dayo has 3, Ebukum has 4, and Kwity has 3.5. For comparison, Maxx Crosby has 9.5 by himself. I’m not sure if besides Latu and maybe Verse, the draft has those type of guys. Corner is fine and that’s coming from a guy who was saying that we needed corners after the first 4 games. But Brent’s has been outstanding when he’s been on the field and Jones has too. I’m more confident rolling the dice with them in 2024 than I was with Flowers and Rodgers (never liked that decision). However I’d still draft a corner In rounds 3-4 for depth and competition, but this draft will be deep at corner. So if a guy like TJ Tampa is there in the 2nd, I’m not letting Jones stop me from drafting him. Same thing first round. If guys like Coleman, Odunze, Nabers, or Verse are gone I’d still draft Kool-Aid or Nate Wiggins.

Man there’s so many factors at play here. On one hand, I think we’re all in agreement that Shaq is not a good fit in Bradley’s defense. He’s much more of a Tampa-2 WILL LB and he flourished in Eberflus’ scheme. That much can’t be denied. It also seems that Franklin is a perfect fit In this scheme. Shan’s fall from grace has been Franklin’s rise, so it can be argued that Zaire is Shaq in Bradley’s scheme. Also most of the LBs we’ve played have looked good in this scheme. Then there’s the injury aspect. It’s very possible that Leonard has lost his explosion due to the type of injuries he had. He just doesn’t look like the same player on the field, and we’re 9 weeks in. He may just be damaged goods. Then there’s also the Gus Bradley factor. I’m on record as saying he needs to go this off-season as his stubbornness on personnel decisions and struggles adjusting are holding this team back. It’s easy to think about Facyson over Rodgers, Baker being an opening day starter, and the disappearance of Cross and think the issues with Leonard are one and the same, but I’m not so sure. The players that are playing over Shaq or splitting reps with him aren’t playing bad. Speed has looked really good and Olubi looked fine last week. Franklin is the leading tackler in the NFL. To me regardless of what happens with Bradley, I think the best thing for both parties moving forward would be a separation. Leonard is damaged goods and isn’t worth what he’s getting paid to do, when players that are on the team and getting paid way less can do what he does. Honestly if we got more game changing plays and turnovers from our Edge rushers and secondary, this wouldn’t even be a conversation. I view him as Kevin Byard. Once was an elite player at the position, but probably peaked and won’t have that level of play again.

With the reports that the Colts were asking for Waddle and Watson in alleged trade talks with the Dolphins and Packers, it seems that Ballard is also not satisfied with the receivers either. I think he pulls the trigger. This WR class is loaded.

It’s hard to put a safety in mock drafts because we don’t know what Nick Cross will be. He’s listed as the backup SS but hardly plays because of how stubborn Bradley is. Idk if he’s a SS or a FS.

With the secondary the issues have really been Baker, Brown, and the safeties. JuJu has looked great, and Jones has been solid too. This is why Bradley needs to stop being stubborn and let Cross play. I’m interested to see what he could do at FS.

We’re slated at 15 according to Tankathon https://www.tankathon.com/nfl 6 out of 8 of our last opponents are under .500 as well. WR or Brock Bowers should be the pick. Pass on corner for now.

Jones is playing great this season. I usually think we overrate these late round corners a bit and Ballard can be too quick to give guys starting spots, but honestly I’d be okay rolling with Brent’s and Jones as starters the rest of the way once Brent’s is healthy. Even next year when Flowers is back, he needs to beat out Jaylon Jones for the CB2 spot in camp IMO.

Michael Pittman is a WR3 at best and is extremely overrated. As a rookie Downs is already better than him at doing the most important thing a WR needs to do, which is creating separation. It should be easy to let him walk in FA.

Good: -Kenny Moore…that’s the quote -No Minshew turnovers -He’s got work to do in coverage, but Jones as a physical corner is playing great. Like Brent’s, he lays the wood as a tackler and I love him getting in the receivers face after plays. -Odeyingbo has turned into a solid depth pass rusher Bad: -2nd half offense was awful. Won’t beat every team taking your foot off the gas like that -Are you guys with me on the Pittman train yet? We saw that Downs has been carrying this receiver core. Even with him out Pittman couldn’t break out -Leonard: He had 10 tackles but no splash plays again. Almost every LB we play looks as good or better than him. -Safety play was again awful, but today their lack of speed to close showed. -Bradley needs to go. Playing in a soft zone all game to not give up the big play, only to consistently get beat deep is concerning. 2nd game in a row this has happened and he’s lucky Kenny bailed us out twice. Takeaway: Ugly win that the defense carried us to by scoring two touchdowns. Receivers and speed in the 2nd and 3rd levels of the defense are still big concerns going forward. This team needs a healthy Josh Downs asap. Bradley continues to be a let down.