OhioColt

Utah knows how to produce safeties. Touched on this long ago and Cole Bishop standing out again today. Could the Colts double down with dual Utah safety combination of Blackmon and Bishop? That Sione Vaki not half bad either.

Liking Marcellas Dial. Can see him moved to NCB and be immediate-future replacement for Kenny Moore. Can’t see Dial going UDFA now and should move up the draft board.

Need to take another look at Jaylx Hunt. Really impressive performances today.

Do noticed Latu had cupping recently done on his neck can see it.

Wanted to see Byrd’s Forty

Dual 4.68 forty not bad can see the Colts look more at him

Xavier Thomas another one decent Forty times. See what he injured and how much more he can do today.

still a little scared off after his prior medical retirement

Kamara definately a Day 2 hopeful I like. See what else he can do.

Good to see Trice cut the weight but still not as explosive Forty time had hoped for.

Pork Chop lightening in a bottle guy can move

Ruke been testing well

Fiske just nailed the Combine in all facets. Super impressive performances #1 in everything. Wouldn’t surprise me to see his name now called on Day 1.

Had time to look at my recent mock draft post had a good one tonight with some CPU surprising trades offered to me that were too good to pass up. Also allowed me to look more at a few more Combine players hopefully this week. DL Justin Eboigbe - think moving him to NT to eventually be Stewart's replacement would work WR Johnny Wilson WR Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint Edge Solomon Byrd

Know me by now and had some time to crunch some cap space numbers. Probably somewhat more realistic knowing the future (draft) results before the past (FA). Colts Players Resigned: WR Michael Pittman Jr (Franchise Tagged) DT Grover Stewart SS Julian Blackmon Edge Tyquan Lewis RB Zack Moss Colts Cuts: TE Mo Alie-Cox WR Juwann Winfree DL Eric Johnson LB Grant Stuard WR Tyrie Cleveland Free Agency Additions: QB Tyler Huntley (Ravens) – Utah connections to both Moss and Blackman and Ravens also ran RPO TE Dalton Schultz (Texans) – Replaces MAC WR-Z Quez Watkins (Eagles) – Steichen adds a former player who exceled under his leadership NT Tim Settle (Bills) – upgrade over Bryan DT Maurice Hurst (Browns) – solid proven veteran behind Buckner FS Xavier McKinney (Giants) – Colts finally address one of their biggest defensive scheme needs Punter Tommy Townsend (Chiefs) – replaces Rigoberto Sanchez NFL Draft (see recent draft model above: Round 1P15 – trade back one spot with the Seahawks and acquire CB Tariq (Riq) Woolen Round 1P16 – 49ers trade MLB Fred Warner to the Colts Round 2P46 – Colts select WLB Edgerrin Cooper knowing Speed is on his final contract year Round 3P81 via SEA – OL Cooper Beebe Round 3P82 – CB Khyree Jackson Round 4P118 – WR-X Johnny Wilson Round 5P150 - NT Justin Eboigbe Round 6P193 WR-X Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint Round 7P232 RDE Solomon Byrd The Colts double down on WR-X players If the Colts can’t come to a long-term agreement before March 5th and must franchise tag Pittman. Ebukam was a great addition and had a solid 2023 season. Both Dayo and Paye are upcoming free agents. Kind of expecting this to be a make-or-break season for Dayo but do like what the addition of another strong-side edge player Byrd can bring to the Colts defensive unit. Eboigbe is a big man reminds me of Grover Stewart who excels in stopping the run and moves from a 3-4 base defensive end inside to NT. Draft day shockers are trading back one spot with the Seahawks and acquiring CB Tariq (Riq) Woolen. The Colts seem to be great landing spots for 49ers with the success Buckner’s had and Ebukam. We know the 49ers are going to have to make some decisions to free up cap space but when the offered to trade up to our P16, after dropping back one spot, and sending MLB Fred Warner the Colts fanbase must be losing their minds. Franklin’s contract was set to expire at the end of this season but with the draft day trade additions the Colts find themselves needing to free up cap space, now projected a negative 2.5m before signing draftees. In order to free up cap space the Colts extend Buckner's contract to 2027 and increase Nelson's a year as well. Realistic or not was able to increase 2024 cap space to ~10M and figured can still retain Franklin but releasing/trading him would still net 3.36M more.

More truthful saying that certain players were removed from my draft board for one reason, or another is more the reality. Will say never had TE Kylen Granson documented. Looking back at his Next Gen Stats from Granson's combine can see why the Colts took him. Guess can blame it on Covid and the extra amount college kids flooding the draft and/or going UDFAs compared to year's past. Odds are somebody going to miss tracking. That's why I am not quitting my night job just yet, but retirement does sound like a great idea.

Might just be one of my favorite draft mocks to-date. Don't even want to think about cap space implications.

To continue on from my previous screen shot. Also forgot to mention the Seahawks traded us CB Tariq Woolen to move up one spot to P15. Talk about another big Day 1 trade with the 49ers, that's one way to upgrade our linebackers with Warner in the middle and Cooper as WLB. Score another win with a jack of all trades OL with Beebe. Seen Jackson's name mentioned to us a few times as a great fit for the Colts. Now just need to sign FS McKinney in FA to go along with the addition of Woolen and Jackson and this defense just became scary good. Might even have enough to move one of these guys into the nickel. Colts need depth badly at wide receiver. Both receivers, Wilson and Rosemy-Jacksaint, are wideouts with size and can block with good hands. Eboigbe is an excellent run stopper and decent tackler. Used primarily as a 5-tech but can see him moved inside as a NT. Byrd on the edge has great 4.68s-forty speed and a good wingspan 81 6/8" but it's his knack for forcing fumbles we like.

Oh, Hal Yes after trading back one spot with Seattle from P15 to P16

Sneed's Combine Overview Defensive back with good size and length. He's much more likely to be considered as a cornerback than a safety. Sneed is a little bit tight in space and won't have the fluid transitions teams look for in man coverage, but he has quality ball skills and adequate instincts to help attract teams looking for size at corner. He's not a physical tackler, but he could be good enough for placement into a zone-heavy scheme where he will be forced into more run-support duties. His experience as a split-safety and slot cover corner could push him up a round or so as a draftable Day 3 prospect. Weaknesses Transitions will be a little clunky from press

My Free Agent List: QB Tyler Huntley (Ravens) - Ravens were ranked #1 in RPO and the Colts #5. If we resign Blackmon and Moss could lean on Utah connections. RB DeeJay Dallas (Seattle) - Dallas would have a better offensive impact with the Colts than with the Seahawks (Walker/Charbonnet). With McKenzie's late season suspension am not sure if we resign him. Dallas would become our return specialist. In 2023 he returned 25 punts for 265 yards and 17 kicks for 440 yards (25.9 yard per return). Dallas had a slightly better season as a return specialist than McKenzie. WR-Z Quez Watkins (Eagles) - Watkins seemed to take advantage each game with his limited playing time and would help upgrade our depleted wide receiver room and capable backup to Pierce. Shane has to have a better inside track and firsthand knowledge of Watkins and might be ideal to rejoin after history of 2021-2022 season performances. TE Dalton Schultz (Texans) - Schultz has been one of the few top tight ends even when he played for the Cowboys. Expectations are MAC gets released to save cap space and Schultz would be our starter. DT DaQuan Jones (Bills) - Jones probably has one or two years left before he retires. One of the few NTs that are on Stewart's level. DT Maurice Hurst (Browns) - We lack proven DT depth. Hurst is a solid backup with proven positive history. Buckner expect to be a lifetime Colt and get extended, but Hurst would be a solid addition. LCB Dane Jackson (Bills) - Pittsburgh college ties to new DL coach Charlie Partridge who coached during 2018-2020. PFF ranked Jackson as a top 30 cornerback in 2023. FS Xavier McKinney (Giants) - 2024 NFL draft class is very weak for free safeties. We failed to acquire Jessie Bates last year and our defense got picked apart in the back end. McKinney would thrive as a single high safety in our zone defense. Cooper DeJean (Iowa) could be a potential draft selection but no guarantees he would be available let alone our top priority. Also consider DeJean as a potential nickel cornerback replacing Kenny Moore much like the Lions drafting Brian Branch or the Chiefs Trent McDuffie. WLB/MLB Frankie Luvu (Panthers) - Luvu proved he can play in a 4-3 or 3-4 base defenses and succeed. He would be a major upgrade over Franklin where he ranked #14th among all linebackers excelling in run-defense (3rd) and had the highest pass-rushing grade. SS PJ Locke (Broncos) - a career special teams ace who stepped up big for Denver in 2023. Some risk/reward if Blackmon is released. Punter Tommy Townsend (Chiefs) - would replace Rigoberto Sanchez. Townsend was an All-Pro in 2022 and ranked in the top 10 in the NFL. In 2021 he finished second in net yards per punt and 1st in 2022. The Chiefs already signed Punter Araiza on 02/23 assuming Townsend is expected to become a free agent. CB Keisean Nixon (Packers) - another special team return specialist that had a better statistical season than DeeJay Dallas or McKenzie while adding starter/depth at cornerback.

Did see where the Chiefs already franchise tagged Sneed and still looking to potentially trade him. Sneed was high on my list. However, I think the Colts would be wiser to go after LCB Dane Jackson (Bills). Jackson played for Pitt during our new DL coach Charlie Partridge tenure (2018-2020). According to PFF's recent cornerback rankings for the end of 2023, Jackson finished within the top 30 dropping off in the final weeks from 11th. Another Bill's player that I have been high on for years is DT Tim Settle and wanted him when he was a free agent before. Settle still has proven to be a decent backup and starter and would be an upgrade over Bryan. If we really wanted security behind, assuming we resign Grover Stewart, then also be wise to add DT DaQuan Jones (Bills). Jones and Stewart are very similar and would be another insurance policy.

Get what you are saying but folks got to remember the sample size is much smaller in college compared to the Pros in half the number of games being played. Considering scouts and evaluators have to make mid-season decisions after only 4-6 games and relying on same college students to be a future player on your roster for 18 whole games is a much different world. Never want to count out small school prospects and kids that have heart but lack ideal measurements. Am looking forward to the Combine but also individual workouts for those not attending. The Colts always seem to draft someone I have never heard of each year.

2024 Combine Watchlist · OC Jackson Powers-Johnson (Oregon) – Not many centers grade out year after year that match Ryan Kelly and JPJ would be an ideal replacement next season. · RG Christian Haynes (UConn) – top priority is to protect AR and have a run game · OL Cooper Beebe - top priority is to protect AR and have a run game · OL Hunter Nourzad (PSU) – Developmental lineman needs coaching could become a starter · LG Trevor Keegan (Michigan) – 2023 Team captain, All-Big Ten (2021-2023). Developmental traits – solid backup to Nelson · SWR Malik Washington (Virginia) – late rounds in draft seem to be solid for a SWR backups. See also (McCaffrey, Jackson, Williams). Pittman walks draft a top WR? Drafting backup WR3-4 early behind Pittman, Pierce, and Downs? FA options solid backups? · SWR Luke McCaffrey (Rice) – solid slot backup option · SWR Jha’Quan Jackson (Tulane) – bonus as a return specialist while adding value backup in the slot. · SWR Isaiah Williams (Illinois) – late round depth with some flexibility. Wish he was taller. · WR Devontez Walker (UNC) · RB Trey Benson (Florida State) – In 2022 he was a dominate tackle-breaker. His 51% forced missed tackle rate led the country but also set the PFF College record. He forced 79 missed tackles on the year. Risk/Reward Dec. 1, 2020, he tore his ACL, MCL, lateral meniscus, medial meniscus and his gracilis tendon (hamstring). Reminds me of Tyjae Spears that was drafted by the Titans last year in Round 3 and would be a good pairing with JT. Very similar to Marlon Mack. Good chance to be drafted in Round 2. Solid backup option if we let Moss walk. · TE Erick All (Iowa) – pending medicals chance TE3. · Edge Mohamed Kamara (Colorado St) – reminds me of YaYa Diaby taken in Round 3 but lacks the athleticism score. · Edge Xavier Thomas (Clemson) · NT Tyler Davis – potential to replace Grover Stewart with better NFL Combine grades than Stewart had posted. · MLB Junior Colson (Michigan) – already my consensus Round 2 draft pick who might have elevated his draft stock to Round 1 · LB Payton Wilson (NC St) – another top linebacker that the Colts should be considering · LB Jordan Magee (Temple) – late round tangibles as a backup+ · SS Kitan Oladapo (Oregon St) · SS Jaden Hicks (Washington State) Want my early 2025 NFL Draft Class: LCB Will Johnson (Michigan) RG Tate Ratledge (Georgia) WR-X/PR Tory Horton (Colorado State) - 2023 earned college football midseason all-America Third Team. 70% blocking. Edge Princely Umanmielen (Florida) junior- 2023 earned college football midseason all-America Second Team. Ideal fit for the Colts CB Malaki Starks (Georgia) - 2023 college football midseason all-America First Team. Not an ideal fit for the Colts as a Man/Press rather than zone. MLB/WLB Harold Perkins Jr. (LSU) - Top LB in the class. Quick to drop into zone and covers enough ground to be Tampa-2 MIKE. Better suited as a WLB maximize range/speed. FS Rod Moore (Michigan) - Better stats than Kamren Kinchens and projects to be stronger in zone coverage. Must stop being grabby and prone to flags. NT 0/3-tech IDL Dontay Corleone (Cincy) - Grover Stewart replacement WR-X Antwane Wells Jr (SC) LG Donovan Jackson (OSU) – Decent LG option in 2025. Nelson’s contract expires end of 2026 where he will be 30. RB Jo’Quavious Marks (Miss. St) – 2023 earned college football midseason all-America Honorable Mention. Entered transfer portal commits to USC. See how he does in the Big-10 but another of my favorites to watch next season. Edge Ashton Gillotte (Louisville) - 2023 earned college football midseason all-America Third Team. Named All-ACC-First Team. RT Ajani Cornelius (Oregon) - 2023 earned college football midseason all-America Third Team. Best in zone-blocking system. Draft Powers-Johnson and have a reunion and learn behind Smith? Edge Khris Bogle (MSU) WR-X Ricky White (UNLV) - His 3.77 yards per route run is 3rd among all receivers in the nation. Major threat in the red zone. Tracks bell well making contested catches but lacks separation and suddenness as a route runner. MLB Jacob Dobbs (Holy Cross) RG Miles Frazier (LSU) TE/WR Oronde Gadsden II (Syracuse) – Tweener WR/TE at 6’5” and 223 pounds but excellent speed, good hands along with good blocking skills. SCB-FS Sebastian Castro (Iowa) – hybrid LB/SAF role. Team captain as a junior and senior. Returning to Iowa in 2024. Probably the best SAF outside of Rod Moore (Michigan). TE Bryson Nesbit (UNC) – poor blocking and kind of reminds me of Will Mallory. Can be difficult to cover and easily get separation. Good catch-and-run threat with good running vision with great top speed. SWR Xavier Restrepo Miami (FL) junior - 2023 earned college football midseason all-America Honorable Mention. SWR-H Caullin Lacy (South Alabama) - 2023 earned college football midseason all-America Third Team. WLB Danny Stutsman (Oklahoma) - Stutsman brings eye-popping closing speed, and his motor never cools. 2023 earned college football midseason all-America Second Team. WR-X Will Sheppard (Vanderbuilt) - Sheppard at one point led the country in contested catches in 2023. LB Barrett Carter (Clemson) - see which version of Carter emerges in 2025. Hopefully Carter can play like his 2022 version. NT Howard Cross III (ND) - 2023 midseason all-America First Team. For comparison see NT Michael Pierce (Ravens) 6’0 but 355 pounds does well at 6’ tall, but the Ravens does use a 3-4 base. NT DJ Jones (Broncos) is another 6’” 305 pound player on a 3-4 base. Grady Jarrett (Falcons) another solid comparison where the Falcons also use a 3-4 base.

Edge Austin Booker (Kansas) – Was the most productive pass-rushers this season earning an 83.6 pass-rush grade. 25 total pressures and 6 sacks with a 16.6% pass-rush win rate. Had him with a Round 2 grade for a while now. OL Cooper Beebe (Kansas State) – Jack of all trades OL No matter where Cooper Beebe lines up, he produces elite play. At right tackle in 2020, he was a PFF honorable mention All-Big 12 honoree. As a left tackle in 2021, he was named first-team All-Big 12. In 2022 at left guard, Beebe was a second-team All-American. Beebe's 94.0 pass-blocking grade over the past two seasons led all offensive linemen in college football. During that span, he didn’t allow a sack on 770 pass-blocking snaps. Beebe is the only FBS guard who ranks in the top five in both PB (4th) and RB (2nd). He still hasn’t allowed a sack since the 2020 season. 2023 earned college football midseason all-America First Team. After 9 weeks leads all offensive guards with an overall 83.9 PFF grade who is top 3 in both pass-blocking (3rd) and run-blocking (2nd). Beebe hasn’t allowed a sack since 2020. To me got that borderline Round 1-2 grade. Beebe might sneak late into Round 1 much like Cole Strange (Patriots) in 2022.