Indianapolis Colts Rookies Forecast

By Charlie Campbell – @draftcampbell





Solid Starter

Henry Anderson, DE, Stanford – Round 3
Indianapolis’ defense has been vulnerable on the ground and through the air the past few seasons. The Colts need to add play-makers and hard-nosed role players to the stop unit, and I believe that Anderson will prove to be the latter. The 6-foot-6, 294-pounder is a perfect fit as a five-technique in Indianapolis’ 3-4 defense. He is a strong defender at the point of attack and has more burst than one would think. Anderson was a nice value for the Colts in the third round.

Anderson showed potential as a pass-rusher during his time at Stanford. He has deceptive speed to fire a gap with the ability to convert power to speed. The senior recorded 8.5 sacks in 2014 and showed the ability to move inside to defensive tackle in pass situations and beat guards with his quickness. Anderson has ideal length and weight to be a five-technique for the Colts, and they can move him to rush inside in passing situations.

Indianapolis has veterans Arthur Jones and Kendell Langford projected to be the team’s starting defensive ends next season. Anderson can develop behind them and rotate into the game. In the next couple of years, I think Anderson will become a solid starter for the Colts who sets the edge, is tough against the run and contributes some pass rush over a quality NFL career.



Most Likely To Bust

Clayton Geathers, S, Central Florida – Round 4
I don’t think any of the Colts’ first three selections will be a bust. Aside from Anderson, I think that cornerback D.J. Smith could turn into a quality starter across from Vontae Davis. A lot of scouts liked Smith and felt that he was underrated during the draft process. Since I have to pick a player, Geathers stands out to me as a potential bust.

The 6-foot-2, 218-pound strong safety has the ability to help defend the run in the tackle box. He is a downhill, physical safety who can tackle. However in the passing-driven NFL, I could see Geathers getting picked on in pass coverage by tight ends and receivers. He isn’t a free safety for the deep part of the field or a safety who could line up in man coverage. Geathers looks limited to a specific role.

Of Indianapolis’ picks in the 2015 NBA Draft, Geathers looks like the most flawed player from the first four rounds, and of all of them, I think he has the most bust potential.



Potential Boom Pick

Phillip Dorsett, WR, Miami – Round 1
If Dorsett had received more targets last year, he probably would have gone higher in the first round. Dorsett has blinding speed and is a true home-run hitter who is a threat to score from anywhere on the field. Miami was starting a freshman quarterback in 2014, and that along with a running game featuring Duke Johnson, led to Dorsett not getting the opportunities he deserved. However, the tape showed that Dorsett was constantly burning corners and getting separation from defensive backs.

At the Senior Bowl, Dorsett put together an outstanding week and burned the All-Star corners each day. He confirmed his great speed at the Combine and his pro day. Many teams felt that Dorsett was a more polished version of Mike Wallace entering the NFL, and they believe that Dorsett could be a difference-maker as soon as his rookie year.

Dorsett couldn’t have landed with a better team. With Andrew Luck, Dorsett is paired with the best young quarterback in the NFL. Having Andre Johnson and T.Y. Hilton on the other side of the field should also help lead to single-coverage opportunities for Dorsett. I think that Dorsett is going to be an effective weapon in the NFL and will be a huge play-maker for Luck for many years to come.



Future Depth Player

David Parry, DT, Stanford – Round 5
The Colts took a similar player in Josh Chapman a few years ago, but Chapman has yet to prove that he is the long-term answer as the zero-technique in their 3-4 defense. Along with Chapman, Indianapolis has Montori Hughes competing for the nose tackle job, but Parry could displace one of them. Parry (6-1, 308) has a lot of natural strength to him and can be a powerful force at the line of scrimmage. He was moved around by Stanford, and I could see him doing a few different roles for the Colts if they want to have some two-gap looks. Parry may not become a impact starter, but I think he will be a nice backup and rotational defensive lineman for Indianapolis.





Walt’s 2015 NFL Draft Grades:

29. Phillip Dorsett, WR, Miami: C+ Grade
How many receivers can you have? With T.Y. Hilton, Andre Johnson and Donte Moncrief on the roster, where will Phillip Dorsett fit in? The Colts should’ve nabbed an offensive lineman like Jake Fisher or a defensive back like Damarious Randall or Landon Collins. Dorsett is a fine prospect who fits the range, so I’m not exactly hating on this pick, but I just think the Colts should’ve gone in a different direction.

Follow @walterfootball for updates.

65. D’Joun Smith, CB, Florida Atlantic: B+ Grade
This makes sense. D’Joun Smith was a third-round prospect, and Indianapolis had to address the secondary, especially at cornerback across from Vontae Davis. This would be an ordinary “B” grade, but I’m bumping this up to a B+ because the Colts moved down and picked up an extra selection.

Follow @walterfootball for updates.

93. Henry Anderson, DE/DT, Stanford: B Grade
I heard during draft week that Henry Anderson might be pushed into the second round, which I thought was a bit early for him. This is the right range. Anderson fits perfectly into Indianapolis’ defense, and he could eventually take over as a starter once the newly acquired Kendall Langford moves on.

109. Clayton Geathers, S, Central Florida: B Grade
LaRon Landry is gone, so the Colts are weak at the safety position. It’s not a surprise that they spent a mid-round choice on some help at that spot, and Clayton Geathers fits the range at the beginning of the fourth frame. Solid choice.

151. David Parry, NT, Stanford: C- Grade
The Colts traded up for… David Parry? Why? They could’ve obtained him at their spot – or perhaps even a better nose tackle. A nose tackle makes sense, but the trade does not.

205. Josh Robinson, RB, Mississippi State: B+ Grade
I mocked Josh Robinson to the Colts in several updates in the fifth round. The Colts are getting Robinson a round later, so this is solid value. Robinson could challenge for the starting job in a year or two once Frank Gore moves on.

207. Amarlo Herrera, LB, Georgia: C Grade
Fifty picks to go! Amarlo Herrera won’t be able to see the field as a linebacker because of skill limitations, but he should be able to become a solid contributor on special teams. I didn’t have him drafted, but this isn’t a bad pick.

255. Denzell Goode, G, Mars Hill: C Grade
The NFL Network guys weren’t afraid to admit that they never heard of this guy, and neither am I. What in the world is Mars Hill? That sounds like Eric Matthews’ Boris College. Is Mars Hill even real?

2015 NFL Draft Team Grade: C . Follow Walter @walterfootball for updates.

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