Colts draft Khari Willis, SS, Michigan State

[MTC]

 

 

 

[NannyMcafee]

They just traded their second pick in this round to Oak. 

[Valpo2004]

Seems like a lot to give up to move up in the 4th.  Must be someone they really believe in.

[Fisticuffs111]

Thought it'd be Hooker but oh well.

Box safety, great character guy. Average athlete below average speed. Nothing really jumps out about him other than character praise.

[Yoshinator]

1 minute ago, NannyMcafee said:

They just traded their second pick in this round to Oak. 

It's alright. This is a solid pick.

[Yoshinator]

Just now, Valpo2004 said:

Seems like a lot to give up to move up in the 4th.  Must be someone they really believe in.

He's a box safety that doesn't miss tackles. Fits our scheme perfectly.

[PrincetonTiger]

1 minute ago, Jared Cisneros said:

It's alright. This is a solid pick.

I like the fact they only gave the two 4ths

[MTC]

 

[Valpo2004]

Just now, Jared Cisneros said:

He's a box safety that doesn't miss tackles. Fits our scheme perfectly.

 

Can he cover?  Cause Geathers doesn't really miss tackles either, he just has problems with coverage.

[Yoshinator]

Just now, PrincetonTiger said:

I like the fact they only gave the two 4ths

I thought it might of been a slight overpay value-chart wise, but I like the player.

[Restinpeacesweetchloe]

4 minutes ago, Valpo2004 said:

Seems like a lot to give up to move up in the 4th.  Must be someone they really believe in.

They must really like him.

 

 

[Bluefire4]

I think he's more of a great teammate than a good player. I thought he had 6th-7th round value. He's not beating out Clayton Geathers or Matthias Farley any time soon. 

 

He's a good fit for this defense, but I think they fell in love with the character and picked him too early. He provides nothing in coverage at all man to man on RBs, TEs, and slot receivers.

[Yoshinator]

1 minute ago, Valpo2004 said:

 

Can he cover?  Cause Geathers doesn't really miss tackles either, he just has problems with coverage.

Not sure how well tbh. I hope so.

[csmopar]

6 minutes ago, Valpo2004 said:

Seems like a lot to give up to move up in the 4th.  Must be someone they really believe in.

What’d we give up

[TheNextGM]

If they (CB) really liked him I’m glad they went and got him. 

 

Get somebody you love rather than two  picks later.

 

[Yoshinator]

Just now, csmopar said:

What’d we give up

both 4ths.

[shasta519]

Not a huge fan. Seems like a guy with limited upside and versatility. 

 

Selfishly, I hate that they don’t have that other pick now. Lots of guys are going to be there.

[Smonroe]

1 minute ago, Valpo2004 said:

 

Can he cover?  Cause Geathers doesn't really miss tackles either, he just has problems with coverage.

 

I was listening to nfl channel o Sirius.  They said he was the S that all the TEs had the hardest time against.  They loved the pick and how Ballard is building the team. 

[csmopar]

1 minute ago, Bluefire4 said:

I think he's more of a great teammate than a good player. I thought he had 6th-7th round value. He's not beating out Clayton Geathers or Matthias Farley any time soon. 

 

He's a good fit for this defense, but I think they fell in love with the character and picked him too early.

He was a late 4th to Mid 5th by most “expert” sources. So a bit of a reach but not drastically 

[Yoshinator]

I'll be curious to hear ballard talk about willis.

[PrincetonTiger]

1 minute ago, csmopar said:

What’d we give up

The 2 4ths

[csmopar]

Just now, Jared Cisneros said:

both 4ths.

Meh not terrible

[PrincetonTiger]

1 minute ago, Smonroe said:

 

I was listening to nfl channel o Sirius.  They said he was the S that all the TEs had the hardest time against.  They loved the pick and how Ballard is building the team. 

So did the ESPN crew

[Restinpeacesweetchloe]

WE in the 4th rd. This is just depth.

[Mr. Irrelevant]

1 minute ago, Smonroe said:

 

I was listening to nfl channel o Sirius.  They said he was the S that all the TEs had the hardest time against.  They loved the pick and how Ballard is building the team. 

 

Music to my ears...

[BOTT]

3 minutes ago, Bluefire4 said:

I think he's more of a great teammate than a good player. I thought he had 6th-7th round value. He's not beating out Clayton Geathers or Matthias Farley any time soon. 

 

He's a good fit for this defense, but I think they fell in love with the character and picked him too early.

I highly doubt Ballard traded up because the guy is a great teammate.

[PrincetonTiger]

1 minute ago, csmopar said:

Meh not terrible

That is the way I feel

[Yoshinator]

1 minute ago, Smonroe said:

 

I was listening to nfl channel o Sirius.  They said he was the S that all the TEs had the hardest time against.  They loved the pick and how Ballard is building the team. 

This explains it. Both Ballard and Kiper were high on him. I like that.

[Indyfan4life]

He’s great in coverage against tight ends. Something we struggle against badly. 

[Bluefire4]

1 minute ago, csmopar said:

He was a late 4th to Mid 5th by most “expert” sources. So a bit of a reach but not drastically 

Yeah I was saying he was a 6th-7th round pick in my opinion watching Michigan State games. He could prove me wrong but I don't see it. Would definitely rather have Hooker or Deionte Thompson.

[Fisticuffs111]

Ballard's stressed it time and time again, especially recently, but he loves his high character guys.  Obviously they liked him on the field enough to trade up for him, but I definitely believe character played a part in our apparently high interest in him.

[PrincetonTiger]

1 minute ago, BOTT said:

I highly doubt Ballard traded up because the guy is a great teammate.

More than likely he was his top S and there was a fear of a run on Safety

[Valpo2004]

1 minute ago, BOTT said:

I highly doubt Ballard traded up because the guy is a great teammate.

 

Agreed, he has to be someone Ballard thinks will help the team on the field.  Likely as a replacement for Geathers.

[csmopar]

3 minutes ago, Smonroe said:

 

I was listening to nfl channel o Sirius.  They said he was the S that all the TEs had the hardest time against.  They loved the pick and how Ballard is building the team. 

Here’s his draft profile...

 

 

Pre-Draft Analysis

Willis is a thick safety with below-average length and average speed. He's a downhill run defender who takes sound angles and is effective playing close to the line of scrimmage. He's instinctive and runs well enough to cover a deep half. He limits production after the catch. He's not a centerfielder, he doesn't have the cover skills to regularly match up with slot receivers and his frame raises concern about his ability to cover tight ends.

[ProblChld32]

With Hooker still available I’m really shocked with this move.

[Bluefire4]

2 minutes ago, BOTT said:

I highly doubt Ballard traded up because the guy is a great teammate.

Obviously they see something I don't. Hoping for the best. He has the work ethic, but I don't think he has the ability.

[Restinpeacesweetchloe]

 

[PrincetonTiger]

2 minutes ago, csmopar said:

Here’s his draft profile...

 

 

Pre-Draft Analysis

Willis is a thick safety with below-average length and average speed. He's a downhill run defender who takes sound angles and is effective playing close to the line of scrimmage. He's instinctive and runs well enough to cover a deep half. He limits production after the catch. He's not a centerfielder, he doesn't have the cover skills to regularly match up with slot receivers and his frame raises concern about his ability to cover tight ends.

That Report match up with what everyone else is saying 

[Yoshinator]

2 minutes ago, ProblChld32 said:

With Hooker still available I’m really shocked with this move.

Hooker has character concerns. We were never touching him.

[MFT5]

the 1st draft pick i’m underwhelmed about but Ballard wanted him so he gets a pass