Player who will have a better NFL career than many drafted higher than him.

Player who will have a better NFL career than many drafted higher than him.

Player who will have a better NFL career than many drafted higher than him.

The Colts drafted very well, getting value and adding quality depth.  They also grabbed one of my favorite players in college street free agent Jamie Silva.  The Colts and I are on the same page at safety.  Sanders, Condren and free agent signee Bullitt were all on my underrated list, I gave a big thumbs up to Bethea, and even said good things about Giordano.  However, the talent at safety could work against Silva this year.

DRAFT PICKS

Pollak was my top rated center in this draft and has the speed, agility, quickness and athleticism needed to play guard in the Colts' scheme.  He should take over for the departed Scott and not miss a beat.

Wheeler is a good fit for the Colts as well.  He has better size than their current starter Brackett, and possesses the speed, quickness and athleticism needed to play ion the middle in the Tampa Two Defense.   As an added bonus, he has good blitz ability as well.  Long term he should be a starter at MIKE for the Colts.

Tamme is a pass-catching tight end.  However, he will have to add bulk to be anything more than a glorified wide receiver.  He does have very good speed and quickness for the position.  His future is at Dallas Clark's spot, not as the second tight end used with Clark.

In my analysis of Howard I brought up Robert Mathis.  However, Howard is faster, stronger, and more athletic.  Like mathis, I thought Howard would be best served in the NFL as a 3-4 linebacker, but the Colts have been successful using Mathis at end, and Howard will give them a similar player and another pass rushing threat.

Some have compared Santi to Utecht, but not me.  Utecht is a bigger target and was a better receiver.  Santi can catch, but may be a better blockier than Utecht entering the NFL.  Santi is a smart, reliable player who will need to bulk up some and will have his hands full holding off Fletcher and Robinson for playing time.

With Justice, the Colts drafted my top two centers.  Justice, however, does not have the skill set to move out to guard.  He should make the roster as a backup center and has a real shot to be the player to replace Saturday down the line.

Hart is all, well, heart.  He is a tough kid who plays better than he works out and could be a solid move-the-chains, non--home-run-hitting backup.  He is best served as a backup rather than as a change of pace back.

Speed, quickness, athleticism, raw.  That sums up Garcon.  He is an ideal practice squad candidate, one with a chance to develop into a #3 receiver.  Another plus for Garcon is that he is a strong kid which will make him a valuable special teams player as well as backup receiver.

Richard was the third center drafted by the Colts, however this kid has the measureables to play guard, and even add some weight and play tackle.  Down the line Richard can be a valuable backup who can step in anywhere along the line.

COLLEGE STREET FREE AGENTS

Burgess is a kid you love to root for.  He played receiver and running back in college and was even successful when called upon to throw the ball.  He also played corner effectively.  His best shot to make the Colts' (or another teams') roster is as a return man.  He should be fun to watch in early preseason games.

Johnson is somewhat similar to Howard but not quite as good.  If he shows he can rush the passer and play linebacker he could stick as a special teams and specialty player.  My best guess is that he is headed for the practice squad.

Silva is a heady player, who likes to hit, and makes the most of his athletic ability.  Just like Condren and Bullitt (and of course Sanders who I targeted as a star in the making), Silva was on my underrated list.  However, he comes to it from the opposite direction.  Condren and Bullitt are physical wonders who showed skills but relied on their athletic ability in college.  Silva is limited athletically, but is a tough, smart kid who makes plays.  Unfortunately, with the depth at safety for the Colts, Silva may have a hard time sticking.

Simpson is a runner with blazing straight-line speed.  He does not make sharp cuts and is not overly quick.  I call this a kick-return type rather than a punt-return type.   He could be effective covering kickoffs. 

Trafalis is an athletic short quarterback who could move to another position if he doesn't cut it at quarterback.  He caught three passes his senior year.