The 2011 Arrowhead Pride Mock Draft continues with saskwatch choosing for the Indianapolis Colts at No. 21...
- 2010 Indianapolis Colts (10-6)
- AFC South Division Champs
- Total Offense (4th)- 380.8 yrds/game, Passing (1st), Rushing (29th)
- Total Defense (20th)- 341.6 yrds/game, Pass Def. (13th), Rush Def. (25th)
Over the past decade the Indianapolis Colts have achieved a level of success most franchises can only hope for. With ten consecutive playoff appearances, AFC South Champions nine of the last ten years, and a Superbowl, they have been arguably the most consistent team over that span. In order to achieve this kind of long term success, capitalizing in the draft is essential (although it also helps to have a Hall of Fame QB). Although I am a diehard Chiefs fan, I was unable to convince my wife to be the same, and thus she ended up a diehard Colts fan.
As a result of this (along with a little help from the DVR and Sunday Ticket), I have seen almost every Colts game the past several years.
One thing I notice is that a truly elite franchise QB can cover up a lot of holes on your team. Despite winning the division again last year, the Colts have a lot of major needs going in to this year's draft. The Colts were decimated by injuries last year, but managed to win a lot of games, primarily due to one player. Watching their games last year, I seen a team that I really think would have been battling Carolina for the top pick if they did not have Manning under center. Fortunately they do, and as such, that is one of the only positions that is not a high priority need (although they need a clipboard carrier). They are also set at DE with Freeney and Mathis. Other than that, I really think they could upgrade every other position on the team.
With the departure of Bob Sanders the Colts need another playmaker in the defensive backfield. They are used to playing without him, but when he is out it really shows. They always seem to need a run stuffing tackle and this year is no exception. There linebackers are mediocre and need upgrading. Reggie Wayne is not getting any younger, and although Manning seems like he could make Bobby Sippio the next Jerry Rice, they will eventually need to find another true number one receiver. But all these needs pale in comparison to one:
Offensive Lineman Gabe Carimi, Wisconsin
The Colts offensive line in 2011 was in my opinion the worst in football. That may seem like a crazy statement for a line that only gave up 16 sacks on 679 pass attempts. The truth is that if it was not for Manning's ability to read a defense and deliver the ball quickly they would have been truly exposed. I seen Manning have more pressure in his face, and get hit more than I ever have. He has been an ironman, but eventually that luck may run out. The Colts need to protect their best player (and most likely their biggest investment after he gets a new deal). The running game was awful. They could not generate any inside push on short yardage, and even when teams often dropped as many as 8 or 9 players in to coverage the still could not gain meaningful yards on the ground.
Carimi instantly upgrades the line and will start at Left Tackle opening day. Carimi has excellent size and aggressiveness. He moves well, and although many feel he might not have the upside of Solder or Sherrod, he is game ready today. He won the Outland Trophy as the Top Big 10 Offensive Lineman in 2010. There are people who think that he will not be a left tackle in the NFL. All I know is that he would be a huge upgrade over Charlie Johnson who was the starter last year. He will instantly improve the running attack of the Colts, and I think he definitely can pass protect as well and Johnson did last year (remember with Manning under center, they only gave up 16 sacks last year).
I won't be surprised if the Colts look at Solder or Sherrod in this spot as well, but I think they will prefer Carimi. Sherrod reminds me a lot of Tony Ugoh, and we know how that worked out for the Colts. Solder is an intriguing prospect, and probably has more upside than Carimi, but I think Carimi is the safer choice, and for a team that is built to win now that is might be the deal breaker.
Combine Numbers:
- 6' 7"- 320 lbs
- 40 yard dash- 5.27sec
- 225 lb Bench- 29 reps
- Vertical Jump- 31.5"
- Broad Jump- 9'1"
Scouting Report form NFLDraftCountdown.com:
From Strengths:
Prototypical size with long arms and large hands • Solid in pass pro with nimble feet to slide /
mirror • Fairly stout at point and gets good push in run game • Decent strength and delivers a
violent initial punch • Polished technician with great hand use and footwork • Intelligent with
excellent instincts and awareness • Very tough and willingly plays through pain / injuries • Mature,
hard working and is respected by teammates • A ton of experience against top-notch competition
Weaknesses:
Merely average athleticism, agility and balance • Issues with speed and struggles to protect edge • Not a knee bender, plays tall and leverage suffers • Will too often gets caught reaching and leaning • Falls off of blocks and does not sustain very well • Has some trouble in space and at the second level • Is not a finisher and may lack a killer instinct
Full Schedule And Results:
1. Carolina Panthers (ChiefsFan90s) - Missouri QB Blaine Gabbert
2. Denver Broncos (craig in calgary) - Clemson DE Da'Quan Bowers
3. Buffalo Bills (Arrowdread) - Auburn QB Cam Newton
4. Cincinnati Bengals (Dirty South Chiefs Fan) - Georgia WR A.J. Green
5. Arizona Cardinals (tmurawsk) - Texas A&M OLB Von Miller
6. Cleveland Browns (H2E) - Auburn DT Nick Fairley
7. San Francisco 49ers (Another Successful Tedford QB) - LSU CB Patrick Peterson
8. Tennessee Titans (ejr58) - Nebraska CB Prince Amukamara
9. Dallas Cowboys (IamtheGreatest) - Alabama DL Marcell Dareus
10. Washington Redskins (nmchief) - Alabama WR Julio Jones
11. Houston Texans (FalconMF27) - Missouri DE Aldon Smith
12. Minnesota Vikings (Raven Hawk) - USC OT Tyron Smith
13. Detroit Lions (Matt Hays) - Boston College OT Anthony Castanzo
14. St. Louis Rams (Sam D) - Illinois DT Corey Liuget
15. Miami Dolphins (YerganFlurgan) - Alabama RB Mark Ingram
16. Jacksonville Jaguars (GenericBrand) - Cal DE Cameron Jordan
17. New England Patriots (averagegatsby) - Temple DE Muhammad Wilkerson
18. San Diego Chargers (Chiefscafan58) - North Carolina DE Robert Quinn
19. New York Giants (flowers 24) - Florida C Mike Pouncey
20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (PSUkegreen) - Purdue DE Ryan Kerrigan
21. Kansas City Chiefs (Matt_Grbac) - Baylor NT Phil Taylor
22. Indianapolis Colts (saskwatch) - Wisconsin OT Gabe Carimi
23. Philadelphia Eagles (OnlyKCFanNVA) - Friday April 1st
24. New Orleans Saints (The Other Patrick Allen) - Friday April 1st
25. Seattle Seahawks (Simon from KC) - Friday April 1st
26. Baltimore Ravens (Ben S) - Monday April 4th
27. Atlanta Falcons (stagdsp) - Monday April 4th
28. New England Patriots (averagegatsby) - Monday April 4th
29. Chicago Bears (KillaCity107) - Tuesday April 5th
30. New York Jets (bradelli58) - Tuesday April 5th
31. Pittsburgh Steelers (scottchief) - Tuesday April 5th
32. Green Bay Packers (Aesthetist) - Wednesday April 6th
Round Two
33. New England Patriots (averagegatsby) - Wednesday April 6th
34. Buffalo Bills (Arrowdread) - Wednesday April 6th
35. Cincinnati Bengals (Dirty South Chiefs Fan) - Thursday April 7th
36. Denver Broncos (craig in calgary) - Thursday April 7th
37. Cleveland Browns (H2E) - Thursday April 7th
38. Arizona Cardinals (tmurawsk) - Friday April 8th
39.Tennessee Titans (ejr58) - Friday April 8th
40. Dallas Cowboys (IamtheGreatest) - Friday April 8th
41. Washington Redskins (nmchief) - Monday April 11th
42. Houston Texans (FalconMF27) - Monday April 11th
43. Minnesota Vikings (Raven Hawk) - Monday April 11th
44. Detroit Lions (Matt Hays) - Tuesday April 12th
45. San Francisco 49ers (Another Successful Tedford QB) - Tuesday April 12th
46. Denver Broncos (craig in calgary) - Tuesday April 12th
47. St. Louis Rams (Sam D) - Wednesday April 13th
48. Oakland Raiders (mushin) - Wednesday April 13th
49. Jacksonville Jaguars (GenericBrand) - Wednesday April 13th
50. San Diego Chargers (Chiefsfaninca58) - Thursday April 14th
51. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (PSUkegreen) - Thursday April 14th
52. New York Giants (flowers 24) - Thursday April 14th
53. Kansas City Chiefs (Matt_Grbac) - Friday April 15th
54. Indianapolis Colts (saskwatch) - Friday April 15th
55. Philadelphia Eagles (OnlyKCFanNVA) - Friday April 15th
56. New Orleans Saints (The Other Patrick Allen) - Monday April 18th
57. Seattle Seahawks (Simon from KC) - Monday April 18th
58. Baltimore Ravens (Ben S) - Monday April 18th
59. Atlanta Falcons (stagdsp) - Tuesday April 19th
60. New England Patriots (averagegatsby) - Tuesday April 19th
61. Chicago Bears (KillaCity107) - Tuesday April 19th
62. New York Jets (bradelli58) - Wednesday April 20th
63. Pittsburgh Steelers (scottchief) - Wednesday April 20th
64. Green Bay Packers (Aesthetist) - Wednesday April 20th