OhioColt

Had to pull off a trade with the Bills to gain extra R5 pick. Personally, am warming up to Luke. Then again rooted heavily for him as Nebraska's QB and glad to see him succeed as a wide receiver. WR Luke McCaffrey (Rice) According to PFF, 110 FBS-level receivers in this draft class were targeted at least 55 times. He ranked 46th in yards per route (2.11), 32nd in drop percentage (4.1 percent; three drops), 11th in contested catches (60.7 percent; at 17-of-28, his 17 contested catches trail only Washington’s Rome Odunze) and 36th in YAC per catch (6.0). Liking Luke's low drop percentage and ability to make contested catches. Pretty solid company to be compared to Odunze who had issues prior season and outdone Marvin Harrison Jr. this year. SS Trey Taylor (Air Force) won Jim Thorpe Award in 2023 with strong leadership qualities in the secondary. Taylor is related to Ed Reed. After 9 weeks Taylor’s 88.5 coverage grade is second among Group of Five safeties while posting an impressive 78.8 run-defense grade. Taylor overall PFF grade of 85.8.

My top 4 realistic draft picks. Not sure we take a WR in Round 1 but would look for Roman Wilson in Round 3 and Luke in Round 5. Swing a trade for multiple Round 5 draft picks and add another offensive weapon in TE Ben Sinnott whom I think is probably the third best TE in the class. WR Adonai Mitchell (Texas) According to PFF, 110 FBS-level receivers in this draft class were targeted at least 55 times. He ranked 78th in yards per route (1.72), sixth in drop percentage (1.8 percent; one drop), 79th in contested catches (36.4 percent; 4-of-11) and 100th in YAC per catch (3.2). He caught 8-of-22 passes thrown 20-plus yards downfield. WR Xavier Legette (SC) According to PFF, 110 FBS-level receivers in this draft class were targeted at least 55 times. He ranked fifth in yards per route (3.15), 18th in drop percentage (2.7), 49th in contested catches (47.6 percent; 10-of-21) and 29th in YAC per catch (6.4). He caught 13-of-24 passes thrown 20-plus yards downfield, good for an eighth-ranked 54.2 percent. WR Roman Wilson (Michigan) - According to PFF, 110 FBS-level receivers in this draft class were targeted at least 55 times. He ranked 13th in yards per route (2.68), ninth in drop percentage (2.0 percent; one drop), 72nd in contested catches (37.5 percent; 3-of-8) and 67th in YAC per catch (4.6). WR Luke McCaffrey (Rice) According to PFF, 110 FBS-level receivers in this draft class were targeted at least 55 times. He ranked 46th in yards per route (2.11), 32nd in drop percentage (4.1 percent; three drops), 11th in contested catches (60.7 percent; at 17-of-28, his 17 contested catches trail only Washington’s Rome Odunze) and 36th in YAC per catch (6.0).

16-18M APY for Pittman is really max imo. Not in the same tier of players like Aiyuk that 22M+ would warrant. Most of our contracts for the team are reasonable. Buckner could probably make an extra 2-3M extra a year. While Q. Neslon should take a major pay cut. My 2 cents on the dollar.

All N for WR Brown and while were at it bring TE Schultz. Should make for interesting two weeks matching up against the Texans. How the draft heavy defense went looks like key in FA will need to be offensive minded focus.

Got to play around last night and agree the defense was the focus. Once you got to R4+ didn’t see any viable WRs. Did get extra options to trade back and took OL Beebe, TE Sinnott, like Missouri’s RB. Going from memory but enjoyed being able to do trades. Too bad couldn’t figure out a trade for Aiyuk and not sign Pittman. Funny on trades offering FAs/potenial players possible not on the roster come draft day. Pretty similar to yours. 1) choice CB 2) either SS Nubin or TE 3) Hi on MLB Colson 4) Hi on CB Hart 5) NT Davis 6) FS Simspon 7) Clemson’s Edge / WR Hatten

In another news alert…Eagles are now projected to trade up in the 1st Round to take OC JPJ if longtime center Jason Kelce chooses to retire. Seahawks are also in need of a center and won’t be long so will the Colts. JPJ only 21 years old. Got the impression the Eagles have already been in talks about adding him “he has some intangibles Eagles fans are sure to appreciate.” Story by Beth Mishler-Elmore Could the Colts trade either trade back with the Eagles and gain additional draft picks on Day 1 or maybe take JPJ and trade Kelly now while he still has value left for say Eagles R3 compensation pick? Montez Sweat got a R2 trade with the Bears and Kelly is still a Pro-Bowler center imo. Trade for Aiyuk

Speaking of trade ideas Just read an article about San Francisco trading away Brandon Aiyuk. Those close to Aiyuk suggests that he might be on another team next season. Very similar to the Colts getting Buckner who was also headed into his fifth-year option. If you're the Colts, would we consider trading off both WR Alec Pierce and Edge Dayo Odeyingbo in exchange for Aiyuk? Dayo seems to fit the larger body build that the 49ers seem to already have. This would free up cap space and assumption 49ers take over both rookie contracts and helps solve their cap space issue this season. Can you imagine having AR throwing to both Pittman and Aiyuk.

We know the Colts like Senior Bowl standouts and being a team captain (leader) trait. Cam Hart has got to be high on the Colts draft big board. Cam Hart checked a lot of boxes at the Senior Bowl that the Colts looks for and was also a team captain at Notre Dame. Can see a Day 2 (R2-R3) selection.

What is your thought on Texan's Noah Brown? Brown is one of the few free agent wide receivers that I would want in FA and would make a solid WR3 on our team and should come fairly cheap. Can't be any worse than Devin Funchess nor as costly a contract.

Maybe this just shows my lack of knowledge, but why can't a single man coverage stud guy be just that for your defense team while the rest play more a zone coverage and rely on your safeties. Maybe we do and just don't realize it. Guess I am thinking along the likes of former Cincinnati player Ahmad "Sauce" Gardner. The Colts surely could use one lockdown press-man corner that can take away opposing team's top receiver every game. Did read where that is one area of the Colt's offensive weakness is we never (rarely) move our receivers trying to get mismatches against defenses. We predominantly go head-to-head versus our best and other teams best DB. This I recall was a comment made during our late surge and playoff attempt.

As a disclaimer, all my mock models have been to franchise tag Michael Pittman Jr. Financially doubt it's the correct action to take. Pittman is good but not exactly at best a top-20 receiver. Goes without saying Pittman has made the most of it with every changing carousel of quarterbacks during his tenure. Hopefully he can build immediate chemistry with AR and improve on his already impressive resume. Not sure what the actual money line will be and am traditionally well short but using Over the Caps contract table a 4-year 66M (16.5 APY) is a respectable contract compared to his peers. I went with a 52M signing bonus and 21M in guarantees. Which projects to around 6.67M in cap space savings compared to the tag under these assumptions and still allows future renegotiations on the table.

Always click bait type thinking every year. What is hyped and what Clubs actually do is two different things completely. Take it with a grain of salt as the saying goes.

I am shocked that the Ravens overpaid Roquan Smith more than 49ers' Fred Warner. No way Queen should even be paid close to that much either. Doable yes and a 3-year 14M APY is reasonable. Give him the time to prove himself and pay him Warner's money if he can produce like it. Give me Queen in the middle and Tyrel Dodson at WLB move Speed back to SLB and cut Grant Stuard. Add me some Xavier McKinney and this team on paper looking scary good with high anticipation of a year behind AR leading the offense.

@boo2202 To answer your question. I agree with you that the Colts need a top tight end. Unfortunately, Bowers isn't the guy. Any player dubbed a generational talent shouldn't drop past the 10th pick. I do believe that the Colts should heavily consider the next best tight end in Ja'Tavion Sanders in Round 2. The Colts need to aggressive in free agency. Unfortunately, that mean not resigning the majority of own players. The Texans put everyone on notice in our division this season. Who I expect us to pick? Already know this is not a popular pick but the Colts take OC Jackson Powers-Johnson (Oregon). Ryan Kelly becomes cap causality and trade option. Only two main players MAC and Kelly that would make business sense to move to clear cap space. Talked about going all in for the Colts to battle for the division title. Hoping new DL coach Charlie Partridge can work some magic and get the best out of our defensive lineman. Seriously looking at a major defensive overhaul. Calling upon Patridge to work some magic as I mentioned brining in former Pittsburg player Dane Jackson, who brings with him Tyrel Dodson and DaQuan Jones from the Bills. Other key pieces are FS Xavier McKinney and MLB Patrick Queen. Also comes at a price releasing starters Blackmon, Moore, and Moss.

In 2021, statistically speaking, only 2.65 years. Next man up, at this point in time, Charlie Partridge. See what Patridge brings and how well his presence is received in the Club house by the end of this season.

Queen would be an excellent addition. See how cap space figures into the mixture. Love the idea of adding FS Mckinney in FA but figured be more frugal signing a lower cost option. Adding both Queen at MLB and WLB Tyrel Dodson would definitely bolster the Colt's defense.

Exactly that's why preference to ignore the draft on IDLs and get a proven veteran player. At least know what to expect. Hopefully we can bring in a couple of names that I have mentioned recently in other threads. More curious what our new DL coach Charlie Partridge brings to the table. Can he bring LCB Dane Jackson (Bills) who played for Pittsburgh when Patridge coach during the 2018-2020 season. At least three Bills players would love to acquire in free agency (Dodson, Jackson, Jones).

From what I have been reading about Nubin is main weakness is his lack of long recovery speed. Seems he would be an ideal replacement for Kenny Moore as a slot corner where Nubin at best near the LOS covering slower tight ends etc. in more a man coverage. Give us McKinney in free agency at FS and a stud CB opposite Brents this team is well on their way to the playoffs. Still need more work done on defense in the trenches and linebackers but with AR back under center this team has a bright future.

A lot can happen between now and preseason games leading up to the start of the NFL regular season. Time will tell if Kelly does retire, we cut him to save cap space, he gets traded, or ends up playing. Obviously, like to see Kelly remain healthy and play for us this season at a high level.

How do you justify picking a second-round pick that high to play sparingly roughly 25-35% of the defensive snaps each season? Stewart's replacement will either be from free agency or a Day 3 pick.

I wouldn't mind adding Josey Jewell (Broncos) in the middle plus add one or more of the following free agents: WLB Tyrel Dodson (Bills) MLB Bobby Wagner (Seahawks) MLB Anthony Walker Jr (Browns) SLB Zack Baun (Saints)

Tez figured more a third rounder maybe it was his blazing speed moving him up. DeJean is so versatile plug-play athlete anywhere from pick 6-15. Doubt he drops to the end of the first round. Colson I actually have moved him up to round 2 around the Colts pick. See how he does at the combine. Does have that Colts type reach pick we’ve been known for and one of the few linebackers in this draft class actually worth drafting. 2025 LB draft class is weak from what I was seeing. Love to see the Colts add Saint’s SLB in FA Zack Baun and Bills WLB Tyrel Dodson to compete with EJ Speed. Seem far better options than drafting a linebacker this season or next.

Agree Maason Smith (LSU) seems like a NT that would fit in nicely here. Grover is good but DJ Reader would be an upgrade in FA. Would trust Bill’s DaQuan Jones to be a better backup before he retires than Taven. Maason Smith does seem like Grover Stewart with a mixture of Reader/Jones and have a strong feeling he would do well and have a solid NFL future as a starter.

In another bizarro universe of logic thinking... NFL roster building is like a game of chess. Plug-and-play centers are few and far between. Unless a team is willing to spend a top pick on the position, growing pains should be expected. Sure, a potential fourth round pick can play like a first rounder. Biadasz didn’t have the best 2022 and PFF graded his performance with a 60.5 score, which ranked 22nd best for centers. Do you start a rookie or draft and develop in anticipation. Centers normally take time to develop. Another reason why JPJ who only has one season playing at center but is more experienced at guard will take time to groom for the future. How many more concussions will be the red flag to end Kelly’s career. He is already thinking about life after football and looking after himself and his family. The two concussions he suffered this season should be an awakening for him knowing that he has had five or six in total since he started playing football and his time at Alabama. The twins were born in June and family is important part of life after football. See how being a father changes his perspective while trying to be smart about his NFL career. Jim Irsay’s recent health scare might be an eye opener. Round 2 double dip and take RG Christian Haynes (UConn) to rebuild the Colts offensive line. Obviously, anything can happen and change the course of history and the draft strategy and free agency needs. We have been through it before and assume it won't be the last time. As a realist, who each year has a fraction of the players listed and continue to unlock names of young men entering the draft this year my draft board is constantly changing. Newer mock draft model would look like this now. Round 1 CB Terriorn Arnold (Alabama) or FS/CB Cooper DeJean (Iowa) depending on who the Vikings select. Round 2 TE Ja’Tavion Sanders (Texas) - Typical Y/H-back role. Shown ability to make contested catches and can separate from defenders. Should be a reliable red zone target. Projecting to cap cut MAC and Sanders is the next best TE behind Bowers who I expect to be a top-10 pick. Round 3 SS/FS/LB/Nickel Jaden Hicks (Washington State) - Had Hicks as a future draft class on my future big board with a sophomore designation. Missed that he declared until recently. Like Dejean, Hicks offers that position versatility. Round 4 Max Melton (Rutgers) – Melton clocked the second fasted time at the Senior Bowl at 20.96 MPH. Or CB Cam Hart (ND) – 6’2” 204 pounds with 32 5/8” arms. The lack of DB depth and those capable of starting has been obvious that past few years. The trust in young rookie type players once again will be in question over a proven veteran. Cam Hart checked a lot of boxes at the Senior Bowl that the Colts looks for and was also a team captain at Notre Dame. Round 5 WR-SL Jha’Quan Jackson (Tulane) – Scout comparisons to Zay Flowers. Improved his draft stock at the Senior Bowl. Earned Second Team All-ACC returner in 2022. Round 6 RB Cody Schrader (Missouri) – Projected Round 5. Work-house capable of all three-downs. In 2023 earned First Team All-American, First Team All-SEC, and was Doak Award Finalist. Shown soft hands for catches. Round 7 Edge Brennan Jackson (Washington St) – history of FF and had 4 FR in 2023. Second Team All-Pac-12 in 2022 and 2023. Good against the run needs to improve pass-rushing. Above-average athlete needs developed. Did have 8.5 sacks in 2023. Missed out on upgrading our linebackers. Did like WLB Cedric Gray (UNC) but major concern was 57 missed tackles over three years and 19 in 2023 alone. Wouldn't mind WLB Payton Wilson (NC) or MLB Junior Colson (Michigan). Am content on this season continuing with Franklin and Speed but looking over upcoming free agents do hope the Colts consider bringing in SLB Zack Baun (Saints). WLB JD Bertrand (ND) as an UDFA could be a possibility.

With a new defensive coach and talk about increasing rushing pressure in the passing game, am going to say part of me says go after Maxx Crosby from the Raiders. We trade away our P15 and help the Raiders get some of the draft capital they need to make a move for their future QB. Crosby purely a weakside end and played under Gus before. Take over his current contract that extends out farther than both Dayo and Paye's who both will be FAs next offseason. The Colts pulled off the miracle trade once before with Buckner and the 49ers and Crosby could be that proven answer we need now.