Kiper: "Ballard does it again. This is my favorite draft class."

[Legend of Luck]

 

"Indianapolis Colts: A

 

Top needs: Wide receiver, edge rush, cornerback

 

How about the job Chris Ballard has done as general manager of the Colts? He absolutely crushed the 2018 draft, finding stars and helping catapult Indy to a 10-6 record and a playoff berth after going 4-12 in 2017. This roster has a ton of young talent. Ballard also landed an extra second-rounder from the Jets in the Sam Darnold trade last year, and that pick ended up at the very top of Round 2 in 2019. That's good team-building, and the Colts had some very specific needs to fill this weekend. How did Ballard do? I love this class from top to bottom.

 

Ballard moved out of Round 1, picking up an extra 2020 second-rounder in going from No. 26 to No. 46, which meant Indy had three second-round picks. And I really liked all four of Indy's Day 2 picks. I was surprised that cornerback Rock Ya-Sin (No. 34) made it out of the first round, but only one corner went in the first 32 picks. He is a little raw, but I think he'll start immediately. Wide receiver Parris Campbell (No. 59) is a burner, but he also caught 90 passes last season and improved every year. He'll play some slot and also scorch corners out wide. Bobby Okereke (No. 89) was my fourth-ranked inside linebacker, and he could compete with Anthony Walker for that starting spot. Defensive end Ben Banogu (No. 49) is a really good to fit in Matt Eberflus' 4-3 scheme.

That's all three needs filled on Day 2. There were also some intriguing additions on Day 3, particularly in safety Khari Willis (No. 109), who I ranked as my No. 50 overall prospect. He broke up 10 passes last season and will be an impact special-teams contributor. Safety Marvell Tell III (No. 144) is a good athlete with a 6-foot-2 frame. Javon Patterson(No. 246) made 39 college starts at guard but will likely move to center.

Ballard & Co. have done it again -- this is my favorite draft class."

[Luck 4 president]

Who the hell is Mel Kiper?? If this is his favorite class then that’s not a good sign...

[chad72]

Yeah, I am not sure if I want Mel Kiper singing our praises. 

[chrisfarley]

Kiper Jr. does his homework, I'm not taking what he says with a grain of salt.  For the picks Ballard had to work with, all indications are we hit a triple.  Talk about some competition, good grief....we are thick with it. Won't know for a long, long time but chances are at least half of this draft class will "stick" somewhere, here or elsewhere.  That's batting .500 if so.

[Smoke317]

Kiper isn’t alone.  Todd McShay also said he loved our draft and thought we got great value with our picks.  Either Ballard is becoming a media darling or the learned all legitimately feel like he knows what he’s doing?  Maybe it’s both.  Maybe he’s becoming a media darling because he knows his stuff. 

[Two_pound]

Kiper gives thoughtful, rational explainations for his analysis and you guys still bash him? The negativity on this forum is mind numbing. I think we had a great draft, not because Kiper or anyone else on tv said so, it is my opinion. Rock and Okereke are probably going to start. Campbell will be on the field a lot at wr along with Hilton, Funchess, Rogers, and Cain. That is a mix of 5 recievers that will be tough to defend all over the field, and we may even bring Iman back yet.  Depth,depth, depth, competition, competition, competition, what is not to like about it?

[2006Coltsbestever]

1 minute ago, Two_pound said:

Kiper gives thoughtful, rational explainations for his analysis and you guys still bash him? The negativity on this forum is mind numbing. I think we had a great draft, not because Kiper or anyone else on tv said so, it is my opinion. Rock and Okereke are probably going to start. Campbell will be on the field a lot at wr along with Hilton, Funchess, Rogers, and Cain. That is a mix of 5 recievers that will be tough to defend all over the field, and we may even bring Iman back yet.  Depth,depth, depth, competition, competition, competition, what is not to like about it?

Yeah I gave our draft a B. Kiper gave it an A which is cool. I really liked our draft. I graded last years an A after it happened so it looks like 2 good to great drafts in a row by Mr Ballard if this years players pan out.

[NewEra]

Just because we didn't get the "names" or the guys we thought we should pick they knock the picks. Cause obviously they're GM's and work with an entire scouting department and do thorough research on the players as well. Go figure, same sh%# different day. It's every draft

[rockywoj]

23 minutes ago, Two_pound said:

... Campbell will be on the field a lot at wr along with Hilton, Funchess, Rogers, and Cain. That is a mix of 5 recievers that will be tough to defend all over the field, and we may even bring Iman back yet.  Depth,depth, depth, competition, competition, competition, what is not to like about it?

It might be just me, but with Cain & Fountain coming hard for their 2nd training camp, and now adding Campbell in the draft and having added Funchess in free agency, I am not so sure that Rogers’ spot on the roster is as assured as a lot of people seem to be saying.   Time shall tell and it’s going to be a very interesting training camp for the receiver crew. 

[MikeCurtis]

11 minutes ago, rockywoj said:

It might be just me, but with Cain & Fountain coming hard for their 2nd training camp, and now adding Campbell in the draft and having added Funchess in free agency, I am not so sure that Rogers’ spot on the roster is as assured as a lot of people seem to be saying.   Time shall tell and it’s going to be a very interesting training camp for the receiver crew. 

Agree overall......

 

You may be right on Rogers, but he does the unheralded KR job as well.... not great.... Not bad....

 

Maybe Campbell gets that role here.......  

[MikeCurtis]

39 minutes ago, Two_pound said:

The negativity on this forum is mind numbing. 

Some people live for the negativity.....  for some reason

 

[Legend of Luck]

8 minutes ago, rockywoj said:

It might be just me, but with Cain & Fountain coming hard for their 2nd training camp, and now adding Campbell in the draft and having added Funchess in free agency, I am not so sure that Rogers’ spot on the roster is as assured as a lot of people seem to be saying.   Time shall tell and it’s going to be a very interesting training camp for the receiver crew. 

 

The battle for all of the WR spots outside of Hilton's is gonna be CRAZY. 

 

Campbell, Cain, and Funchess will all be battling for 2-4, and I can see that being a really intense competition for playing time. 

 

But even the final spot or two, those battles will be really close as well. Chester, Pascal, Hogan, Johnson, Hart, and Dulin.... man...that's a BOAT LOAD of talent all competing for 1 or 2 spots.... 

 

I can't wait for camp!

[Two_pound]

Agree 100%, there is a lot of competition at the wr position for those final 1 or 2 spots.

[Coltsman1788]

1 hour ago, chrisfarley said:

Kiper Jr. does his homework, I'm not taking what he says with a grain of salt.  For the picks Ballard had to work with, all indications are we hit a triple.  Talk about some competition, good grief....we are thick with it. Won't know for a long, long time but chances are at least half of this draft class will "stick" somewhere, here or elsewhere.  That's batting .500 if so.

I think he just figured out that to look smart all he needs to do is agree with whatever Ballard does in the draft.  I wonder what he was saying last year around this time. 

[MikeCurtis]

Colts WR Predictions.... I see SIX

 

Hilton -  100% LOCK

Campbell - 100% LOCK

Funchess - 80% LOCK

Cain - 80% LOCK

Inman (Or Fountain)

Penny Hart - WR/KR (or Chester)

 

Hart may be stashed on PS

 

Gone

Pascal

Hogan

Johnson

Fountain (If Inman is brought back...... which I hope they do)

 

 

 

[Moosejawcolt]

1 hour ago, Two_pound said:

Kiper gives thoughtful, rational explainations for his analysis and you guys still bash him? The negativity on this forum is mind numbing. I think we had a great draft, not because Kiper or anyone else on tv said so, it is my opinion. Rock and Okereke are probably going to start. Campbell will be on the field a lot at wr along with Hilton, Funchess, Rogers, and Cain. That is a mix of 5 recievers that will be tough to defend all over the field, and we may even bring Iman back yet.  Depth,depth, depth, competition, competition, competition, what is not to like about it?

I doubt we bring Inman back.  Funchess has taken his role and then we drafted a burner.  Don't c a role for Inman on this roster.  Time to c if our late round picks from last year can contribute. I love Campbell and he was by far my fav wide out and player of this draft.  

[dw49]

5 minutes ago, Moosejawcolt said:

I doubt we bring Inman back.  Funchess has taken his role and then we drafted a burner.  Don't c a role for Inman on this roster.  Time to c if our late round picks from last year can contribute. I love Campbell and he was by far my fav wide out and player of this draft.  

 

I agree and I cannot see the reasoning for Inman wanting to resign with Indy. 

 

[Myles]

Many people are complaining about the negativity.    I really haven't seen much negativity on here.   

[Matthew Gilbert]

29 minutes ago, MikeCurtis said:

Funchess - 80% LOCK

You think Funchess isn't a lock to make the roster?

[thatonefan]

Who the hell is Mel Kiper, anyway?

[Moosejawcolt]

I have always maintained that play off games r a good learning lesson when team a team gets blown out.  They show your weaknesses, you can't hide from it. The KC game exposed 2 things I  thought.  We needed explosive play makers at WR.  It also showed that we were not athletic enuff at linebacker and corner. KC walked up and down the field on our D.  People maintained that our D played better in the 2nd half.  I maintained that KC simply took their foot off the pedal. I feel Paris is a huge....huge addition.  I also think with the athletic players we drafted it allows the colts D o give different looks.  We r facing some great qbs this year and the thought of being able to play more man excites me. I cringed at the the thought of us running zone most of the time. Qbs have evolved to much for that type of D to b effective.

[Farns01]

Rogers job as kr/pr might be expendable because of Hines.  He had a bad start last year, maybe jitters being new.  We’ll see.

[Hoose]

1 hour ago, MikeCurtis said:

Agree overall......

 

You may be right on Rogers, but he does the unheralded KR job as well.... not great.... Not bad....

 

Maybe Campbell gets that role here.......  

I have to believe that Campbell represents the biggest threat to Carlos Rogers’ future with the Colts. Not just because of his skill set as a receiver, but because he can return kicks, especially punts. 

[SouthernIndianaNDFan]

1 hour ago, MikeCurtis said:

Colts WR Predictions.... I see SIX

 

Hilton -  100% LOCK

Campbell - 100% LOCK

Funchess - 80% LOCK

Cain - 80% LOCK

Inman (Or Fountain)

Penny Hart - WR/KR (or Chester)

 

Hart may be stashed on PS

 

Gone

Pascal

Hogan

Johnson

Fountain (If Inman is brought back...... which I hope they do)

 

 

 

 

Funchess is a 100% lock man lol

[Peterk2011]

1 hour ago, MikeCurtis said:

Colts WR Predictions.... I see SIX

 

Hilton -  100% LOCK

Campbell - 100% LOCK

Funchess - 80% LOCK

Cain - 80% LOCK

Inman (Or Fountain)

Penny Hart - WR/KR (or Chester)

 

Hart may be stashed on PS

 

Gone

Pascal

Hogan

Johnson

Fountain (If Inman is brought back...... which I hope they do)

 

After the Campbell pick, Inman won't come back. The roster is already at 90, and Ballard still wants to add 1 or 2 RB-s, so 1-2 guys will have to go already. And if Cain is recovering well, there's no point to bring him back.

 

So, barring injury or a sudden fall-off, Hilton, Campbell, Funches, Cain and Rogers are probably all locks. Yes, Rogers too.

 

I know some ppl do not like Chester. He had some rough games last year yes. But  he is the punt returner, which is an important role. There's no such thing as "KR/PR" any more, kick returns are joke, however punt returns are key to spec. team. A good punt returner requires good vision, sure hands and very good decision making in traffic. Rogers has all these traits, and he's proven it. It's a reason why he got a 2nd round RFA offer (3 mills guaranteed!) from Ballard. Teams keep guys on rosters exclusively for returning punts. If that guy can catch 60 ball for 450-500 yards, as Rogers can, that's a huge plus.

 

Pascal, Johnson, Fountain and the others can battle for the 6th spot. If Ballard will bring 6. (Not sure if he will or not. There's quality depth all around the offense, so whether it'll be OL, TE, RB or WR where he'll decide to keep one less, he'll probably have to let a valuable young guy go. Tough decisions coming in august.)

[SouthernIndianaNDFan]

2 hours ago, Two_pound said:

Kiper gives thoughtful, rational explainations for his analysis and you guys still bash him? The negativity on this forum is mind numbing. I think we had a great draft, not because Kiper or anyone else on tv said so, it is my opinion. Rock and Okereke are probably going to start. Campbell will be on the field a lot at wr along with Hilton, Funchess, Rogers, and Cain. That is a mix of 5 recievers that will be tough to defend all over the field, and we may even bring Iman back yet.  Depth,depth, depth, competition, competition, competition, what is not to like about it?

 

Not sure how long you've been around this forum, I browsed for years before finally joining and bashing each other, belittling, and negativity are like the trusses of this building lol. It gets ridiculous at times, and I'll admit that I fall victim to it at times. Anyways, they hit this one out of the park. They're to a point with this team, last years win streak being an example, where they can fine tune it a bit. Getting guys that fit key schematic areas, and guys that may be package specialists is a luxury when you've gotten this far with your lineup. I feel like they're getting close to where they wanna be, and the KC loss gave them the blueprint to get over the top (hopefully). KC exploited a few areas where we obviously needed improvement, areas that can be exploited by the elite coaches in the league (Reid, Belichick). I feel like Ballard really got some guys that will shore up some of those areas. Really excited to see their plan, and how these guys equate within that towards future successes. 

[Mr.NotSoCreative]

Part of me thinks they are praising because they were so wrong last year. 

[jameszeigler834]

3 hours ago, Luck 4 president said:

Who the hell is Mel Kiper?? If this is his favorite class then that’s not a good sign...

Just because Ballard didn't take who everyone on here was screaming for in this draft doesn't mean we had a bad draft I believe we had a very solid draft for how it all played out.

[2006Coltsbestever]

11 minutes ago, SouthernIndianaNDFan said:

 

Not sure how long you've been around this forum, I browsed for years before finally joining and bashing each other, belittling, and negativity are like the trusses of this building lol. It gets ridiculous at times, and I'll admit that I fall victim to it at times. Anyways, they hit this one out of the park. They're to a point with this team, last years win streak being an example, where they can fine tune it a bit. Getting guys that fit key schematic areas, and guys that may be package specialists is a luxury when you've gotten this far with your lineup. I feel like they're getting close to where they wanna be, and the KC loss gave them the blueprint to get over the top (hopefully). KC exploited a few areas where we obviously needed improvement, areas that can be exploited by the elite coaches in the league (Reid, Belichick). I feel like Ballard really got some guys that will shore up some of those areas. Really excited to see their plan, and how these guys equate within that towards future successes. 

When I first joined the forum back in 2015 the negativity used to really bother me but it doesn't as much now. You get used to it once you have been here for 3 or 4 years. I really haven't seen much negativity about this draft though. Most people like it in here and on our poll most people gave it a B. Also because we went 10-6 and won a playoff game, the negativity has dwindled down a lot compared to the previous 2 seasons.

[jameszeigler834]

24 minutes ago, SouthernIndianaNDFan said:

 

Funchess is a 100% lock man lol

I think Fountain will have to show a lot of improvement to stick around this time.

[cbear]

I always like Mel Kiper.

[AZColt11]

We shall see.  I didn't like last year's draft much at this time (outside of Nelson and Smith), but couldn't have been more wrong.  I liked this one much more so either that means I'm wrong again or this draft is going to be an all-timer.

[Luck 4 president]

28 minutes ago, jameszeigler834 said:

Just because Ballard didn't take who everyone on here was screaming for in this draft doesn't mean we had a bad draft I believe we had a very solid draft for how it all played out.

Did I say we had a bad draft? I just don’t like Kiper at all. The guy takes bribes from agents to talk up their players and put them high on his draft board. 

[2006Coltsbestever]

3 minutes ago, Luck 4 president said:

Did I say we had a bad draft? I just don’t like Kiper at all. The guy takes bribes from agents to talk up their players and put them high on his draft board. 

But Mel has wonderful hair 

[CanuckColt]

3 hours ago, rockywoj said:

It might be just me, but with Cain & Fountain coming hard for their 2nd training camp, and now adding Campbell in the draft and having added Funchess in free agency, I am not so sure that Rogers’ spot on the roster is as assured as a lot of people seem to be saying.   Time shall tell and it’s going to be a very interesting training camp for the receiver crew. 

Yeah, we could lose Rogers and not miss him.

 

[Buck Showalter]

7 minutes ago, 2006Coltsbestever said:

But Mel has wonderful hair 

Lol...

"I may not play football, but I wear a hair helmet everyday!!!"

[2006Coltsbestever]

1 minute ago, Buck Showalter said:

Lol...

"I may not play football, but I wear a hair helmet everyday!!!"

Yeah his hair is the best 

[indyman411]

2 hours ago, Hoose said:

I have to believe that Campbell represents the biggest threat to Carlos Rogers’ future with the Colts. Not just because of his skill set as a receiver, but because he can return kicks, especially punts. 

You mean Chester?

[MikeCurtis]

2 hours ago, Matthew Gilbert said:

You think Funchess isn't a lock to make the roster?

A 100% Lock?  I dont know that there is ANYTHING in life that is 100%

 

If he stinks up preseason, (drops 50% of his passes) and the OTHER WRS improve....

 

I think he COULD get cut  (But IMHO......  its FAR more likely that he is a Colt for all of 2019 

 

Sheeze.... tough crowd........

 

I am not agreeing ENOUGH!    :0

 

[Lucky Colts Fan]

1 minute ago, MikeCurtis said:

I think he COULD get cut

 

I think it's like a 100% lock that doesn't happen.