PFR reviews Colts’ draft

Interesting tidbit on the kicker

Indianapolis Colts

1.31 (31) Jerry Hughes (DE-TCU) 6’2″-255
2.31 (63) Pat Angerer (LB-Iowa) 6’0″-235
3.30 (94) Kevin Thomas (CB-Southern Cal) 6’0″-192
4.31 (129) Jacques McClendon (OG-Tennessee) 6’2″-324
5.31 (162) Brody Eldridge (TE-Oklahoma) 6’5″-261
7.31 (238) Ricardo Mathews (DT-Cincinnati) 6’3″-294
7.33 (240) Kavell Conner (LB-Clemson) 6’0″-242
7.39 (246) Ray Fisher (DB-Indiana) 5’9″-185

The Colts know all too well that sick feeling in their stomachs when Dwight Freeney or Robert Mathis are out: taking Hughes should provide valuable depth on the defensive line. He’s a pass rushing specialist, and had 36 tackles for loss and 26.5 sacks his last two seasons at TCU. Angerer was a middle linebacker at Iowa, who some viewed as too short, too light and too slow to play in the NFL. But he made a lot of plays for the Hawkeyes, and has been compared to Zach Thomas (you can guess what Angerer looks like). Both Angerer and Thomas probably could have been had later, but fit the Colts model of getting players for their system. Thomas has good instincts and is very athletic — some had him rated as the #1 high school cornerback prospect in the country. But he suffered with injuries and only had three interceptions in his career with the Trojans. McClendon could replace Ryan Lilja at right guard; he’s a huge lineman who fits into the Colts philosophy of getting beefier up front. Eldridge was a surprise pick at 162; he’s a pure blocking tight end. He’s a good in-line blocker and should help the Colts running game right away, but most thought he’d go undrafted. Then again, at least this wasn’t Denver taking Richard Quinn in the second round of the ’09 draft.

The Colts also picked up five UDFAs of note. Tim Hiller had an up and down career as a three-year starter at Western Michigan, and should compete with Curtis Painter for the backup QB role with Jim Sorgi in New York. Hiller was a hot prospect after having a strong junior season, but a disappointing senior season left him undrafted. My good buddy Cecil Lammey wrote a couple of weeks ago that Blair White was one of the overlooked gems of the draft; not only was White overlooked, but he went undrafted. Landing in Indianapolis is a great spot for a wide receiver who runs great routes and has good hands. White was a walk-on at Michigan State but eventually became the Spartans’ best receiver. The Colts got some excellent seasons out of Edgerrin James; they picked up his cousin, Javarris, also out of Miami, hoping to cash in on the good bloodlines. The Colts also signed Brandon James, an electric return man for the Gators the past three years. Finally, Indy added Blair White’s teammate Brett Swenson, who some viewed as the best kicker in the draft. No field goal kickers were drafted (although three punters were), but Swenson could replace the old and injury prone Adam Vinatieri and the really old Matt Stover. James and Swenson should inject some youth into the Colts special teams in 2010.