Solid Starter
Bernhard Raimann, OT, Central Michigan – Round 3 
After Anthony Castonzo retired, the Colts had veteran Eric Fisher for one season, but Fisher remains unsigned and Indianapolis still needs a long-term starter at left tackle. Raimann has a good skill set with size, quickness and athleticism. The 6-foot-6, 304-pounder had a late start in football and entered college as a tight end. Thus, his rawness is understandable, and he landed with an ideal team to help him along.
Entering the next level, Raimann is a plus run blocker. He isn’t a finesse tap-dancing left tackle who is weak in the ground game. Raimann doesn’t have overwhelming power, but he is very good at latching onto defenders and turning them to open up holes and can create some movement. He has the strength to sustain his blocks, and he can ride some defenders around the field. Once Raimann latches on, defenders have a very difficult time shedding him.
As a pass protector, Raimann needs a lot of development, and that was given proof at the Senior Bowl where he struggled with speed rushers. Raimann has the physical talent to block on the edge, but he needs a lot of refinement with footwork, not bending at the waist, hand placement, and not lunging after defenders. If Raimann can improve his pass-blocking technique, he could easily become a plus starter.
The Colts ended Raimann’s fall in the third round, and they were a perfect landing spot for him. Raimann will have every opportunity to win the starting job, but the Colts also have a smart coaching staff that has been superb at developing offensive linemen. They won’t rush Raimann onto the field, and he will receive excellent tutelage to refine his technique. In time, he could become their starting left tackle, and playing next to potential Hall of Fame guard Quenton Nelson will make Raimann’s job easier. While Raimann may not become an elite left tackle, Indianapolis could easily develop him into a solid starter early in his pro career.
2021: Kwity Paye, DE
2020: Michael Pittman, WR
2019: Rock Ya-Sin, CB
2018: Braden Smith, G
2017: Quincy Wilson, CB
2016: Ryan Kelly, C
2015: Henry Anderson, DE
2014: Andrew Jackson, LB
2013: Hugh Thornton, G
Most Likely To Bust
Nick Cross, S, Maryland – Round 3 
This was a difficult selection in large part because the Colts are among the best drafting teams in the NFL. General manager Chris Ballard and the franchise’s scouting staff have been phenomenal the past five years, making superb second-day picks. Cross could follow that trend, as the 6-foot-1, 215-pounder has excellent size and is very fast. He also produced really well as a senior, with 66 tackles, three sacks, two forced fumbles, five passes defended and three interceptions. That being said, Cross has coverage issues, which is why he slid deep into the third round despite his first-round skill set.
Cross’ college tape shows he possesses some weaknesses in pass coverage for the NFL. He has the physical talent to play man on tight ends, but he needs to be coached up on technique. Zone coverage in the short to intermediate part of the field is a much better fit for Cross than playing deep free safety. As is common with muscular strong safeties, Cross has some tightness, and that makes him a poor fit to play man on slot receivers or serve as the deep single-high centerfielder. He is a bit awkward at flipping his hips to turn and run with speed receivers, so while he is fast in a straight line, the change in direction of fast wideouts will give Cross problems. Cross is more of a fit to be an enforcer in zone coverage in the short to intermediate part of the field.
“He’s a height/weight/speed guy, but the instincts are lacking,” said an NFC director of player personnel prior to the 2022 NFL raft. “He’s very undisciplined and misses a ton of tackles. Cross could be an eventual starter, but not sure when because of the mental. I like him more as a third-round pick, but he may have too much physical talent to last that long.”
Thus, if Cross doesn’t improve his coverage technique, he might top out only as a backup and special teams contributor. Of the Colts’ early-round picks, he seemed like he had the most risk, but as a late third-rounder, he was a smart gamble for Indianapolis given his rare physical talent.
2021: Kylen Granson, TE
2020: Julian Blackmon, S
2019: Bobby Okereke, LB
2018: Kemoko Turay, LB
2017: Tarell Basham, DL
2016: Hassan Ridgeway, DT
2015: Clayton Geathers, S
2014: Jack Mewhort, G
2013: Khaled Holmes, C
Potential Boom Pick
Alec Pierce, WR, Cincinnati – Round 2 
Colts general manager Chris Ballard has hit some home runs in the second round of NFL drafts, including selecting perhaps the best running back in the NFL in Jonathan Taylor and the league’s best off-ball linebacker in Darius Leonard. Ballard also has had some steal second-round picks, like wide receiver Michael Pittman and offensive tackle Braden Smith. It would not be surprising at all if Pierce follows that trend. The 6-foot-3, 213-pounder has mismatch size, showed excellent speed at the combine, and produced superb tape over his final year of college football.
Big receivers are a dime a dozen, but what sets Pierce apart is how well he can run. He has the explosiveness and deep speed to get vertical. After a fast first-step, Pierce finds another gear to accelerate down the field and stretch defenses over the top. He can run by double coverage and create separation from defensive backs by beating them in a vertical race downfield. His speed and route-running skill make him very difficult to run, so he can consistently generate separation from defensive backs.
Pierce is also an advanced route runner who doesn’t take extra steps and is sudden out of his breaks. Along with being a vertical threat, Pierce should be a good third-down weapon in the NFL thanks to his ability to get open on intermediate routes.
Pierce shows good technique as a receiver too. He tracks the ball well and uses late hands to reel in passes even with defenders close. Pierce’ stature presents a size mismatch versus defensive backs. He uses his height and length to be a weapon for hauling in contested catches over the secondary. Pierce shows really good feel and instincts, possessing a knack for breaking off his routes to get open for his quarterback when plays break down. With reliable hands as well, Pierce is an excellent red zone/third down weapon.
According to team sources, the knocks on Pierce are that he is a hair tight and is not an exceptional run-after-the-catch wideout. The tightness is not surprising considering his size, and picking up yards after hauling in the ball is something he can work on improving. Most receivers are unable to to develop that skill at the pro level, but there are some who buck the trend and become dangerous after the catch after not showing that ability as much in college or early in their pro career, such as DeAndre Hopkins. Multiple team sources said Pierce reminded them of a faster Jordy Nelson.
Pierce landed in a perfect situation with Indianapolis. Defenses bring their safeties close to the line of scrimmage to stop Taylor, and Pittman will draw No. 1 corners. Thus, Pierce should see plenty of one-on-one matchups versus No. 2 corners. I think Pierce could be another second-round steal Colts and a real boom pick for them.
2021: Dayo Odeyingbo, DE
2020: Jonathan Taylor, RB
2019: Parris Campbell, WR
2018: Quenton Nelson, G
2017: Malik Hooker, S
2016: Le’Raven Clark, OT
2015: Philip Dorsett, WR
2014: Donte Moncrief, WR
2013: Bjoern Werner, DE
Future Depth Player
Jelani Woods, TE, Virginia – Round 3 
Veteran tight end Jack Doyle retired, leaving the Colts in need of some tight end depth. Mo Alie-Cox has emerged as a quality starter, but Indianapolis runs a lot of two-tight end sets, and Woods was a good addition to be dependable No. 2. Woods is massive and has the size to develop into an inline blocker. The Oklahoma State transfer also flashed receiving ability for Virginia in 2021. While Woods may never be a prolific receiver or three-down starter as a pro, he could be a solid No. 2 and rotational tight end.
2020: Sam Ehlinger, QB
2020: Jacob Eason, QB
2019: Khari Willis, S
2018: Nyheim Hines, RB
2017: Marlon Mack, RB
2016: Antonio Morrison, LB
2015: David Parry, DT
2014: John Ulrick, OT
2013: Montori Hughes, DT
Walt’s 2022 NFL Draft Grades:
53. Alec Pierce, WR, Cincinnati – A- Grade
Alec Pierce fits what the Colts look for in receivers, as far as height and athleticism is concerned. This pick is no surprise, given that T.Y. Hilton is on his way out. Pierce is a solid value here, as he easily could’ve gone a bit earlier than this.
73. Jelani Woods, TE, Virginia – B+ Grade
Another weapon for Matt Ryan certainly makes sense, especially after the Colts lost Jack Doyle to retirement this offseason. Jelani Woods is a raw, one-year wonder, but he’s unbelievably athletic and has the potential to turn into a star. He also has a low floor, but teams need to take risks to win Super Bowls. I like this pick.
77. Bernhard Raimann, OT, Central Michigan – A Grade
Bernhard Raimann has upside, but his arm length could be a problem. It’s why he fell to the third round, but the Colts were correct in obtaining him at this juncture. Eric Fisher is gone, so the Colts needed to do something to address this area. I had the Colts picking Raimann at No. 42, so I love this value!
96. Nick Cross, S, Maryland – C Grade
I like Nick Cross just fine as a third-round prospect, but I don’t know why the Colts had to give up a third-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. Cross is very athletic and possesses huge upside, but the Colts should have been more patient.
159. Eric Johnson, DT, Missouri State – B+ Grade
The Colts had a horrible pass rush last year, so they had to find help in that regard. Eric Johnson is a solid player with nice size and length whom I frequently mocked in this range, so I like Indianapolis’ decision to take him.
192. Andrew Ogletree, TE, Youngstown State – A- Grade
Andrew Ogletree never found his way into my mock draft, but perhaps he should have after his amazing pro day. He ran a 4.69 and benched 26 reps at 260 pounds. You have to love the swing for the fences at a position of need.
216. Curtis Brooks, DT, Cincinnati – B Grade
Curtis Brooks is a smaller defensive tackle who will only be used on pass-rushing downs because he’s such a liability in run defense. Still, a specialist like him is a fine pick toward the end of the sixth round. He makes sense in this range.
239. Rodney Thomas, S, Yale – C+ Grade
Rodney Thomas II, much like Rodney Thomas I, was not considered to be a draftable prospect by anyone. I’m not even sure if he’s a real person, but I guess we’ll find out soon.
2022 NFL Draft Team Grade: A-. Follow Walter @walterfootball for updates.
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