Hoose

Not at that price and with that injury history. Hard pass.

Maybe people assumed that because of his serious addiction problems in the past and the fact that he was found unresponsive at 4:30 am. Or because the police report said it was a suspected overdose? I’m not trying to pile on Jim Irsay. I truly hope he’s over his drug issues. I applaud anyone who has overcome addiction. But it’s understandable that people would make assumptions based upon how his latest mishap played out.

Don’t sleep on Roman Wilson if the Colts don’t choose a WR in the first round. He has serious talent.

He won’t trade out of the first round. If he trades back, the first pick will still be high enough to get a first round talent.

That’s where I’d go too. But I do think Mitchell goes higher than you see in many mocks. He’s a serious talent and has an almost perfect RAS, so you know Ballard has taken a close look. If he trades back, it’s because he believes he can still get a top talent. In that case, Mitchell would be my prediction.

I think this kid has a lot of good football ahead of him. He’ll stick.

MHJ is special. If there was a pass rushing DE who was at the same level, I'd take the DE. But that guy isn't in this draft; the Colts are set at OT and DT for the moment, and MHJ would be a game changer for the Colts offense. So I'm taking MHJ all day in this draft if I had the chance.

Hard to see the Colts trading within the Division. Never say never, but its unlikely.

I agree. In a normal draft that doesn’t have such a deep group of top WRs, BTJ and Mitchell would be picked much higher in the first round. They are both outstanding prospects. Which is why you can get a great receiver by waiting and not making a desperate trade up. I don’t see Ballard making such a move. If anything, he trades down slightly in the first round and gets another decent Day 2 pick. But that said, either BTJ or Mitchell would be terrific additions to the Colts.

The Chiefs also had the best TE in the game. That makes up for the avg. WR corps. Back to the draft: I don’t disagree with your theory about this being a deep WR draft and a shallow one for D-line. My hope: Latu or Brian Thomas Jr. BTJ may prove to be just as good as the top 3, and is only available BECAUSE this is such a deep WR draft! In a normal year, BTJ goes much higher. And Latu could be the pass rushing demon the Colts lack. His injury history opens the door for a slide to pick 15. Either one of these guys in the first round and I’m thrilled for the Colts.

Ok. I can agree that a couple of top “WR2s” can get the job done in some cases. And I don’t disagree that the D needs upgrading. Which is why I suggested that CB and a Pass Rusher were also needed. But my vision of a WR 1 is one who can take the top off the opposing D with speed and great route running. That guy may be there for the Colts at 15 (Thomas Jr.) or perhaps later if a slight trade down occurs ( Adonai Mitchell). If he is, I’m hoping he’s their #1 pick.

I disagree Moose. You have to have a dynamic passing attack today. Of course that starts with the QB, but having a WR1 is critical too, and in my book Pitt is one of the best WR2s in the business. The Colts need a WR1; another pass rusher; and another top CB. So if they stay at 15 or trade down slightly to get another high Day 2 pick, one of those positions should be the #1 choice.

Thanks for doing this. I think with a trade down a WR is very likely the first pick, and Mitchell is an outstanding choice at that point. Interesting draft that made me look a few people up again. Nice work.

I'd be shocked if we trade down. There is pressure on Ballard to add some playmakers. I think this is the year where he could actually move up if a guy slips out of the top ten because of other teams needs and there appear to be a lot of blue chid players at the top of the draft and teams will always be qb needy at the top of draft I can see why you’d argue against a trade down. I was working on the premise that the players they wanted were taken, and they felt they could get comparable value later in the first….. and then scoop up two extra thirds. But if a guy they want is there at 15, I would expect them to pick him. What I don’t see is a trade up. It will cost too much, and Ballard is placing a lot of eggs in this draft’s basket. He needs more high picks, not less.

I’m not taking issue with your points, which are well made. I just think Ballard’s timeline may not be tied to AR’s performance alone. Because the kid needs more talent around him. And if that talent shows itself to be as insufficient as I think it currently is, you’ve got to have issues with the guy choosing that talent. I do hope that (1) the current crop of youngsters gets dramatically better, and (2) that this draft is a game changer. I’m just not very confident about either one. Hope I’m wrong.

I agree with this, but it also begs the question of when Ballard will put the talent around AR that he will need to succeed. Because right now, management is betting it all on improvement of the current crop of players. And that feels like a bad gamble. The secondary has little experience and Ballard doesn’t appear like he’s inclined to change that. Even though he acknowledged the need for serious improvement there at the end of last season. There are no explosive WRs on the roster at the moment. Nor a proven force at TE. Even though Ballard noted the need to improve in that area. No one hopes more than me that Woods and Ogletree and Pierce will somehow emerge as big time playmakers. But don’t hold your breath. This draft will be critical in the effort to improve the team around AR. If the Colts are still treading water at the end of this season, Ballard’s leash could get yanked sooner than you may think possible.

I don’t see the Jets picking Bowers. They just signed Mike Williams and now have some decent receiving depth. What they don’t have is a good O-line. There will be some outstanding OT’s available with the 10th pick. They need to protect Rogers to go anywhere this year, and a plug and play OT will be there for them. Makes too much sense. So I’m with those who believe Bowers has a decent chance to be there at 15 for the Colts. It should prove to be an unusually good spot (more so than other years)to get a quality starter or trade down for more draft gold. The Colts are in a good drafting situation right now.

Very true. Especially in a draft where the safety class appears to be pretty weak. Which is why they will make a move before the draft to get an upgrade. Hopefully Simmons.

These would be my picks at 15. But should Ballard decide to trade down from 15, especially if into the mid to high 20s, could a LB be in play? A long armed LB who can hit and cover is a genuine need.

It’s a very real possibility. The question is, could Turner last to 15? Because I don’t see Ballard trading up. Not with the pressure he is putting on this draft to produce multiple hits. But I agree that pass rush is right up there with WR.

You may be right. But the draft pick value chart often goes out the door with first round picks. Example: the Colts’ trade with the Jets ( small move down) that netted them Nelson plus several other high picks if I recall.

Mitchell has gotten more interesting the more I’ve studied him. He could be special. I’ve been on the Thomas,Jr. bandwagon but if the Colts could nab an extra 2 for a slight move down and get Mitchell? Count me in.

The amazing depth at CB and WR this year suggests that you CAN get an elite player at 15 if you go with one of those positions. My guess is the Colts don’t trade down and instead grab a difference maker.

I think you answered your question. CB, PASS RUSH or WR.

Ballard isn’t trading up. As much as I want them to draft Brian Thomas Jr., I can definitely see them trading out of 15 with a slight move down and getting another Day 2 pick. Which is why scouting all the potential WRs available in the second round makes sense.