Colts select Ryan Kelly, C, Alabama

[SP_21]

7 minutes ago, weslo1812 said:

But who's to guarentee that Jack, Lawson or Jackson III turn it on the type of player you think they might??? There woukd have been risk involved in taking any of those guys as well. They by no means would be any more guanrtee at thier position than Kelly at his. And outside of Jack IF he's healthy and returns to form, I don't really think Jackson or Lawson were can't miss type of guys that you can rarely find. So Outside of Jack maybe...I don't think we really missed out on a whole lot talent wise.

You're missing my point. Obviously there is risk with any player you draft but I'd rather risk a 1st rounder on a guy who plays a premium position. 

 

No matter what you say center is not a premium position. 

 

The quality of defensive players available deteriorates more quickly than that of centers IMO

[NorthernBlue]

Even I was talking about stuff like Value, and potential. But at the end of the day, the Colts just fixed the biggest hole on the team and found themselves a very talented player.

[Yoshinator]

Something I can't believe is the sheer number of people who wanted Myles Jack. Why in the world would you want someone who is going to have microfracture surgery and only play 5 years max? It's so ridiculous I can't wrap my head around it. We got someone that is excellent player, wasn't a reach, and fills a huge need. He was easily one of the BPA's, and when you compare it to someone like Myles Jack, who is only going to have a 3-5 year career, the choice is obvious! Think a little bit, you guys!

[aReggie7]

I thought the Colts would go defense but I have no problems with taking Kelly. I think a lot of these defensive guys are overrated.

 

I am not a scout but have felt if Kelly checks out as well as advertised then I have no issues with him at 18. He is the premium player in this draft at center. A guy who is likely going to be a Pro Bowler sooner than later. I can't be unhappy if that happens.

 

I realize that center is not a premium position but Kelley is a premium player. I look at the defensive guys on the board and the Colts didn't exactly pass on premium defensive players. I'd rather add a premium player, at a position you desperately need to improve, vs adding someone at a premium position who isn't really a premium player.

 

You don't build a defense with one first round pick. I fully expect most, if not the rest, of the Colts remaining picks to be on defense. There are still a lot of quality defensive players the Colts can get in round 2 and 3.

[Superman]

52 minutes ago, coltsfanatic24 said:

Luck, Big Ben, and Romo will always get hit and beat up because they hold the ball to the last second. Regardless of how great the O-line is those 3 will scramble and try to make something out of nothing. Grigson reached for Kelly IMO. No way was he a better prospect then Lawson or Jack. I'm done talking about Grigson because it only frustrates me. I'll root for Kelly because he's a Colt, but I'm still livid about the pick being a offensive player.

 

"Don't reach for need, unleed it's a defensive player." 

 

Is that how it goes? Reed, Billings, Robinson, Spence, Jack, etc., etc., still available. The Colts are up in 17 picks. 

[MrNLM]

No draft party...that is different.

 

Seems comfortable with the media at first glance.

 

First thing I notice is his confidence and intelligence.

 

Much like Luck, he is not a good lookin' fellah... so they already have something in common.

 

 

[SP_21]

1 minute ago, Jared Cisneros said:

Something I can't believe is the sheer number of people who wanted Myles Jack. Why in the world would you want someone who is going to have microfracture surgery and only play 5 years max? It's so ridiculous I can't wrap my head around it. We got someone that is excellent player, wasn't a reach, and fills a huge need. He was easily one of the BPA's, and when you compare it to someone like Myles Jack, who is only going to have a 3-5 year career, the choice is obvious! Think a little bit, you guys!

There were other guys that were a much better value: Shaq Lawson and William Jackson III come to mind. 

 

Im okay with Kelly but everyone who thinks he's going to be a ten year All Pro need to temper expectations. 

[krunk]

1 hour ago, Carlos Danger said:

Next on my wish list... Jordan Jenkins in round 3

 

Spence in the 2nd would be awesome... I think somebody on here mocked Kelly and Spence to us 1,2....  there will still be D-Line beasts available at 48, too, id wager..

 

 

 

I honestly think Jordan Jenkins is good enough to go in round 2 somewhere around our pick if you don't like any of the pass rushing options on the board at the time of the pick.  He's tough as nails and also not a shabby pass rusher either.  Then we could turn around maybe in the third and pick up Fackrell or whoever else.   I like Jordan Jenkins a whole lot. 

[SP_21]

1 minute ago, krunk said:

 

I honestly think Jordan Jenkins is good enough to go in round 2 somewhere around our pick if you don't like any of the pass rushing options on the board at the time of the pick.  He's tough as nails and also not a shabby pass rusher either.  Then we could turn around maybe in the third and pick up Fackrell or whoever else.   I like Jordan Jenkins a whole lot. 

I like him as well but I would rather grab Austin Johnson, Billings, or Chris Jones if they are available. 

[crazycolt1]

2 minutes ago, SP_21 said:

There were other guys that were a much better value: Shaq Lawson and William Jackson III come to mind. 

 

Im okay with Kelly but everyone who thinks he's going to be a ten year All Pro need to temper expectations. 

Maybe it is you who needs to examine Kelly and his numbers and what he has done in the last three years.

[Traines]

2 minutes ago, krunk said:

I honestly think Jordan Jenkins is good enough to go in round 2 somewhere around our pick if you don't like any of the pass rushing options on the board at the time of the pick.  He's tough as nails and also not a shabby pass rusher either.  Then we could turn around maybe in the third and pick up Fackrell or whoever else.   I like Jordan Jenkins a whole lot. 

I mocked him to us at 48 in Dr. T's contest.  I think his best value is between our 2nd and 3rd picks, but wouldn't be too disappointed if we landed him at 48 (or trade down a bit).  There are quite a few good players currently on the board so not so sure I'd pass up on some of them...

[crazycolt1]

21 minutes ago, SP_21 said:

You're missing my point. Obviously there is risk with any player you draft but I'd rather risk a 1st rounder on a guy who plays a premium position. 

 

No matter what you say center is not a premium position. 

 

The quality of defensive players available deteriorates more quickly than that of centers IMO

Nah, the center only touches the ball 100% of all offensive snaps. He only protects the QB from up the middle. (in case you didn't notice Luck was hit and sacked more up the middle than anywhere). The center plays a huge part in pulling to block for the running game. ( oh by the way the Colts haven't had a running game since Saturday left). Kelly runs a 40 in less than 5 seconds. So yes he is a premium player IMO.

[wig]

35 minutes ago, Gavin said:

Not my first choice that was still available. I still had Lawson, Nkemdiche, Whitehair ahead of him but still good pick in my opinion. Like I said a while back....I think Holmes gets every chance to start and goes into TC as the starter but its his job to lose

 

Kelly was named the starter as soon as he was drafted.  You don't take a C at 18 and not expect him to start the second he signs.

[krunk]

Just no way I can complain about the Kelly pick. The guy is very solid, and he'll be a huge asset in opening up holes for our running game along with being a huge asset in getting Luck protected.  Plus with more information on him I've learned he can also play guard for us if we ever asked him to and I like his size at 6'5". Not many centers can do all of that for your football team.  When you compare that to some of the things that the other defenders offered I can somewhat see why Kelly would be considered as BPA by Grigson and Staff.  Yeah I had my mind set on something else, but we still picked up a very good football player and that's all I ask. 

[SP_21]

11 minutes ago, crazycolt1 said:

Maybe it is you who needs to examine Kelly and his numbers and what he has done in the last three years.

Watch his tape against Clemson and get back to me. 

[krunk]

14 minutes ago, SP_21 said:

I like him as well but I would rather grab Austin Johnson, Billings, or Chris Jones if they are available. 

 

Love Austin Johnson too. Actually a little bit more than Billings.

[rockywoj]

1 hour ago, SP_21 said:

All Pro? Really I don't think anybody said that. He's not a bad player but there were much better players with a higher value still available. 

 

I wonder where the "All Pro" talk is coming from. 

Perhaps from so many prognosticators that say you plug him in from day 1 and you have a 10 year starter that will be a perennial Pro Bowl caliber centre?

[stitches]

I like the pick, but I'm left with a bittersweet taste in my mouth, because we passed on my favorite player in the draft(Lawson).

 

With all that said, I've been getting warmer and warmer towards getting Kelly in the first and I'm actually happy we finally have a good center.

[myic90]

1 minute ago, stitches said:

I like the pick, but I'm left with a bittersweet taste in my mouth, because we passed on my favorite player in the draft(Lawson).

 

With all that said, I've been getting warmer and warmer towards getting Kelly in the first and I'm actually happy we finally have a good center.

 

I firmly believe Kelly will help us win more games than Lawson will.

[SP_21]

7 minutes ago, crazycolt1 said:

Nah, the center only touches the ball 100% of all offensive snaps. He only protects the QB from up the middle. (in case you didn't notice Luck was hit and sacked more up the middle than anywhere). The center plays a huge part in pulling to block for the running game. ( oh by the way the Colts haven't had a running game since Saturday left). Kelly runs a 40 in less than 5 seconds. So yes he is a premium player IMO.

There are plenty of centers in this draft. Boehm in the 4th or 5th would be a good value. I've said it five times now I DONT MIND THE PICK, just don't think it was a good value. We have a philosophical difference which is not a problem. Let's move on

[akcolt]

22 minutes ago, 21isSuperman said:

Noah Spence, Andrew Billings, Robert Nkemdiche, Myles Jack, all still available.  Chances at least one of those guys is available at 48 is decent, in my opinion.

I agree I really like Jenkins. He can set the edge and is underrated as a pass rusher IMO. He is one of the more undervalued guys in the draft IMO. 

 

i am not huge on Spence and Lawson to me is a popular version of Jenkins. I know you like Perkins too. I hope we snatch him. 

 

I am not thrilled about Kelly. I watch Kelly and I guess I'm missing it but he doesn't scream can't miss pro bowler. I have him ahead of Martin bc of a knee injury. 18 it just doesn't feel right. I hope he fixes the OL as everyone already believes he has. 

[nsurg]

2 hours ago, bababooey said:

I was very nervous as Goodell approached the podium, more nervous than when I proposed two weeks ago (don't tell my Giants fan fiancé that!) but I am pretty happy!!!

 

That makes sense... we only get a first round draft pick once a year, but there is no limit on how many people you are allowed to propose to.

Did your fiance go to an SEC school or have a good combine performance?

[Superman]

6 minutes ago, krunk said:

Just no way I can complain about the Kelly pick. The guy is very solid, and he'll be a huge asset in opening up holes for our running game along with being a huge asset in getting Luck protected.  Plus with more information on him I've learned he can also play guard for us if we ever asked him to and I like his size at 6'5". Not many centers can do all of that for your football team.  When you compare that to some of the things that the other defenders offered I can somewhat see why Kelly would be considered as BPA by Grigson and Staff.  Yeah I had my mind set on something else, but we still picked up a very good football player and that's all I ask. 

 

This is where "scout honestly"  and "maximize value" come into play. I don't think we can call him BPA -- except on a board heavily influenced by need. So I can complain about the value of the pick and all that forever. 

 

But I do think they got a good, potentially great player, someone who can start right away and probably play for years. He's got a great track record, he plays an important position, and he makes the OL better right away. I feel hypocritical no matter where I come down on this. 'Grigson needs to fix the line,' yet 'don't reach for need and maximize value.' End of the day, at least they got a good player. I definitely believe that.

[OHColtfan]

Like it. Like better that there are still some exciting front 7 guys falling to us in the 2nd.

[Superman]

2 minutes ago, SP_21 said:

There are plenty of centers in this draft. Boehm in the 4th or 5th would be a good value. I've said it five times now I DONT MIND THE PICK, just don't think it was a good value. We have a philosophical difference which is not a problem. Let's move on

 

Kelly is much better than any other center in the draft. He's twice as good as Boehm. It's really not close.

 

Not a good value, sure, but that's not because there are other centers in this draft. Kelly blows them all away. JMO

[crazycolt1]

45 minutes ago, akcolt said:

We pick again at 48. How many C's will be there? I'm guessing all of them besides Kelly. How many DL LB & DB will be gone?

 

People are missing the boat. I don't think anyone's saying Kelly isn't one of the best C's. He is. He was not the best player there at 18. Those guys will not be around at 48 but there will be players comparable to Kelly. Martin Whitehair Westerman Seumola all figure to be C's the talent difference between those players and the defensive players at LB and DB is going to be much larger. You could argue on the DL the gap won't be as large I'd disagree but in this draft you'd have a arguement 

 

That is your opinion . That is not shared by most of the Colt fans AND the so called draft guru's on ESPN, NFL network and CBS sports. This pick was graded at an A+. As bad as Grigson has taken heat over the last couple of drafts to draw an A+ says a lot. The goal was to pick a starter who was a need. That was done so I don't understand what the problem is. There are 5 more picks to do work on the defensive side with a draft that is loaded with defensive players so no need to panic IMO.

[Superman]

5 minutes ago, stitches said:

I like the pick, but I'm left with a bittersweet taste in my mouth, because we passed on my favorite player in the draft(Lawson).

 

With all that said, I've been getting warmer and warmer towards getting Kelly in the first and I'm actually happy we finally have a good center.

 

This news about Lawson's shoulder probably had an impact. They're already saying he needs surgery after the 2016 season; he might not make it through the season.

[Superman]

3 minutes ago, nsurg said:

 

That makes sense... we only get a first round draft pick once a year, but there is no limit on how many people you are allowed to propose to.

Did your fiance go to an SEC school or have a good combine performance?

 

What a way to look at it... lol

[PuntersArePeopleToo]

So you guys since the Colts moved to Indianapolis we have drafted 3 (4 now) offensive linemen in the first round. Ron Solt 1984 guard he made a pro bowl in 1987. So not the best but not terrible. Then in 1997 with Tarik Glenn, just a pretty good 10 year veteran left tackle for Manning. He made 3 Pro Bowls and won Super Bowl XLI with us, before retiring early even though he still was high quality. Then we selected Castonzo in 2011. As you guys know he's been solid and reliable, till last year. Hopefully that was just a bump in the road. So as you guys can see we have gotten solid performers from the last two guys and not that bad with the other guy. Hopefully Kelly keeps up our trend and we never here his name on telecast until all-pro/pro bowl announcements. And I don't believe it is good for us to pick an injured player early in the draft. If Jack is there in the second then yes. If not him hopefully Spence. This draft has been considered deeper on defense especially linemen compare to offense. I hope we go for non specialist. And even a DB to me isn't as big of a need. I feel like Djoun Will do good this year while Davis will be back to normal. Robinson should hold his own. I would say get a safety later to help groom to replace Adams, but not to waste an early pick this year. We are better at picking Safety later than linemen (I.E. Bethea)

[Traines]

1 minute ago, Superman said:

This news about Lawson's shoulder probably had an impact. They're already saying he needs surgery after the 2016 season; he might not make it through the season.

This made me feel better about our pick.  What are your thoughts on Jack not being picked?

[Traines]

1 minute ago, Superman said:

What a way to look at it... lol

Lol, I'm hoping it is his fiance' in disguise

[ColtStrong]

1 hour ago, coltsfanatic24 said:

Im livid right now. We had a chance to get a great defensive player and Grigson played it safe. 

Don't expect many people to agree with you. You are in the extreme minority. Just because they didn't take a D player in the first doesn't mean squat. We can still get quality D help with rounds 2-7. We NEEDED an O-lineman to help protect Luck. Thank God Grigson picked someone to help protect our QB and bolster the run game, unlike what you want. If you had your way, we'd pick all D players and Luck would be on the sideline most of the season once again with injury.

 

Keep it up and I'll just put you on ignore. Debating with people like you is like arguing with a 2 yr old. Good Lord.

[esmort]

Grigson made the safest career pick , not the BPA pick.

 

It's a "meh" pick, I don't "hate" it (at least it wasn't Ragland), but there were better players still on the board.

 

IMO ... The difference between the impact Kelly will have on the team/games versus the centers likely available to us in round 2 is not going to be that much.  I believe there will be a much greater drop off in talent (and the actual impact you will see on the field) at other positions for our second pick.

 

There is no way that Kelly was BPA if they really stacked their board by talent alone and not need as has been claimed.  Which means Grigson is full of it when he uses that to defend previous picks ... and so many have used that as one of their big points when defending Grigson.

[SP_21]

7 minutes ago, Superman said:

 

Kelly is much better than any other center in the draft. He's twice as good as Boehm. It's really not close.

 

Not a good value, sure, but that's not because there are other centers in this draft. Kelly blows them all away. JMO

I never said he wasn't the best center... not sure where that came from. 

[Superman]

5 minutes ago, Traines said:

This made me feel better about our pick.  What are your thoughts on Jack not being picked?

 

Same deal. I'm surprised someone didn't take him at the end of the first so they could stick that fifth year option on him, but not that surprised. His knee is evidently in bad shape.

 

Would be a good value at #48, but not if he can't stay on the field. Too bad, he's a GREAT player.

[crazycolt1]

19 minutes ago, SP_21 said:

Watch his tape against Clemson and get back to me. 

Watch his tape over his three years at starting at Bama.  If you are going to judge a player over one game after three seasons of doing nothing but winning awards then I think you are pretty narrow minded. Now maybe it is you who needs to look at all the tape and get back to me.

[crazycolt1]

1 hour ago, coltsfanatic24 said:

Luck, Big Ben, and Romo will always get hit and beat up because they hold the ball to the last second. Regardless of how great the O-line is those 3 will scramble and try to make something out of nothing. Grigson reached for Kelly IMO. No way was he a better prospect then Lawson or Jack. I'm done talking about Grigson because it only frustrates me. I'll root for Kelly because he's a Colt, but I'm still livid about the pick being a offensive player.

I have a feeling no matter who Grigson took you would have a problem with it just like always.

[Superman]

3 minutes ago, SP_21 said:

I never said he wasn't the best center... not sure where that came from. 

 

I never said you said he wasn't the best center, sooo....

 

Just because you can get a center later in the draft doesn't really mean anything.

[akcolt]

1 minute ago, crazycolt1 said:

That is your opinion . That is not shared by most of the Colt fans AND the so called draft guru's on ESPN, NFL network and CBS sports. This pick was graded at an A+. As bad as Grigson has taken heat over the last couple of drafts to draw an A+ says a lot. The goal was to pick a starter who was a need. That was done so I don't understand what the problem is. There are 5 more picks to do work on the defensive side with a draft that is loaded with defensive players so no need to panic IMO.

I'm by no means panicked and I don't care about our grade from the talking heads.Kiper is wrong more than the weatherman. 

 

If he fixes the OL I'm thrilled. Some seem to think that is a foregone conclusion. I don't think he was the best player or great value. I think a C at 18 was a reach. I don't see the huge gap between him and Martin or Seumola. Bama players and the hype make me nervous. 

 

 

[Gavin]

2 minutes ago, esmort said:

Grigson made the safest career pick , not the BPA pick.

 

It's a "meh" pick, I don't "hate" it (at least it wasn't Ragland), but there were better players still on the board.

 

IMO ... The difference between the impact Kelly will have on the team/games versus the centers likely available to us in round 2 is not going to be that much.  I believe there will be a much greater drop off in talent (and the actual impact you will see on the field) at other positions for our second pick.

 

There is no way that Kelly was BPA if they really stacked their board by talent alone and not need as has been claimed.  Which means Grigson is full of it when he uses that to defend previous picks ... and so many have used that as one of their big points when defending Grigson.

Or you could use a bit more logical here and know that there was a shift in draft philosophy with this first pick unlike the last few years