Final Draft Summary: Colts Focus on Trenches, Forgo Addressing Skill Positions

Written by Kyle J. Rodriguez on .

In case you were unable to pay attention this weekend, the Colts came away with seven picks in the 2013 Draft, as well as about 18 undrafted free agents. 

(Jerry Lai- USA TODAY)

My initial reaction is that the Colts had a solid draft, although Ryan Grigson has failed to address a few things. Here's my reaction to each pick, as well as the draft strategy as a whole. For each pick you can click on the name and find my long-form analysis of how the pick will fit in Indianapolis.

First round, 24 overall: Bjoern Werner, OLB, Florida State

Overall, I've really warmed to this pick. The Colts desperately needed pass rush, and Erik Walden is the weakest starter on the defensive side of the ball. Werner likely won't replace Walden right away, but split time with him throughout 2013. Walden is the run specialist, while Werner will likely be the pass rusher. Werner should especially excel in nickel and dime situations, when the Colts go to four down lineman. Werner is best with his hand on the ground, as he can use exceptional burst off the line to get an advantage over offensive linemen. 

I liked the value of a few other picks better at this spot, such as cornerback Xavier Rhodes. But Werner was one of my top five OLB prospects, and I like the fit as a SOLB. 

Colts Notebok: Bjoern Werner, Unfiltered

Written by Marcus Dugan on .

Good morning, Colts fans.  After an exciting and exhausting NFL Draft weekend, it’s time to have a closer look at each member of the Colts’ 2013 draft class.  All week, Nate Dunlevy will be discussing reasonable baseline expectations for each player based on how similarly drafted players have done in recent years (You can click on Nate’s most recent columns in the series here and here). 

In addition, we’ll be familiarizing ourselves with each of this year’s rookies in a series of Colts Notebooks with post draft quotes.  Leading off is the very talkative Bjoern Werner.  Werner is quite the character, and his answers and comments have been filtered down over the weekend.  Now, prepare yourself for some Bjoern, straight-up.

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What to Expect 2013: Hugh Thornton and Khaled Holmes

Written by Nate Dunlevy on .

Welcome to "What to Expect 2013". For the next week or so, I'll be looking at the positions the Colts drafted relative to their historic counterparts.

Hugh Thornton (Bradley Leeb- USA TODAY)

The goal of this series is to set reasonable expectations for the new draft picks based how similarly drafted players in the past decade performed.

This allows us to create fair baselines by which to judge players. The purpose of this series is not to predict performance.

The Colts drafted a pair of interior linemen in the 3rd and 4th rounds. We'll examine them together.

Hugh Thornton and Khaled Holmes both have experience playing guard. Holmes also can play center. So with history as a guide, what can Colts fans reasonably expect from these players in 2013?

Colts Updated UDFA List

Written by Kyle J. Rodriguez on .

UCLA CB Sheldon Price was one of the top corner prospects left. (Jayne Kamin-Oncea- USA TODAY)Undrafted free agents are the lifeblood of training camp. The Colts will be signing them left and right as the draft ends, and keep this page open as we update it with each signing as they come in. 

The Colts Draft RB Kerwynn Williams and TE Justice Cunningham, Mr. Irrelevant, in the 7th Round

Written by Marcus Dugan on .

Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports

The Colts held the 24th and 48th picks in Round 7 of the 2013 NFL Draft.  With the 24th, they selected Utah State Running Back Kerwynn Williams, a projected 5th round prospect. 

With the 48th pick in the 7th round, the 254th and final pick in the draft, Indianapolis elected to give a chance to South Carolina Tight End Justice Cunningham.

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The Colts Draft Oregon Safety John Boyett with the 24th Pick in the 6th Round

Written by Marcus Dugan on .

Chris Morrison-USA TODAY Sports

With the 24th pick in the 6th round, the Colts picked up Oregon Safety John Boyett.  Boyett, a 5-10, 204 pound wild man at safety and a former high school quarterback, is another player who had an excellent 2011 season only to be slowed or sidelined by injuries in 2012.  This is now officially a theme of sorts for Ryan Grigson. 

Boyett racked up 108 tackles, an interception, a half sack, and 6 passes defensed in 2011 (He also had 5 interceptions in 2010).  Bothered by partial patella tendon tears throughout that season, Boyett had surgery on both knees after just one game in 2012.

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Colts Select UT-Martin Defensive Tackle Montori Hughes after Trading Back into the 5th Round

Written by Marcus Dugan on .

(Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports)

The Colts traded a 2014 4th round pick to Cleveland so they could select Tennessee-Martin Defensive Tackle Montori Hughes with the 6th pick in the 5th round, continuing a trend of selecting linemen on both sides of the ball.  At 6-4, 329 pounds, Hughes is a relatively athletic big man.  He flew under the radar for much of his college career after being dismissed for unspecified off the field issues after a season at the University of Tennessee.  Hughes also struggled with academic eligibility before his dismissal, having to play a year at Hargrave Military Academy before he could even get into UT.

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Colts Draft Khaled Holmes, Center, USC, with the 24th Pick in the 4th Round

Written by Marcus Dugan on .


(Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports)

With the 24th pick in the 4th round, the Indianapolis Colts selected Center Khaled Holmes from USC.  At 6-3, 302 pounds,  Holmes is known more as a crafty, technician on the offensive line than a bruising road grader.  His injury and bench reps (13) at the NFL Combine probably didn’t help his draft stock much.  He missed time with a leg injury last season, and USC struggled without him.  Holmes is known for being a smart, quick, aggressive center who plays to the whistle (more after the jump).

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What to Expect 2013: Bjoern Werner

Written by Nate Dunlevy on .

Welcome to "What to Expect 2013". For the next week or so, I'll be looking at the positions the Colts drafted relative to their historic counterparts.

The goal of this series is to set reasonable expectations for the new draft picks based how similarly drafted players in the past decade performed.

This allows us to create fair baselines by which to judge players. The purpose of this series is not to predict performance. As we start with defensive end/outside linebacker Bjoern Werner, keep in mind that the goal is not to say what he'll do. That's impossible.

This series will help us decide what's fair to expect out of him, so that next January we can appropriately evaluate the pick.

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Colts Draft OG Hugh Thornton with the 24th Pick in the 3rd Round

Written by Marcus Dugan on .

Bradley Leeb-USA TODAY Sports

With the 24th pick in the third round of the NFL Draft, the Colts addressed a need at offensive guard, electing to pick Hugh Thornton, a rather large OG out of the University of Illinois and the 6th rated guard in the draft, according to CBS Sports.  At 6-3, 320 pounds, Thornton still has some decent agility to stay in front of defensive linemen, but he’s known more for being a strong, overpowering lineman – perhaps a bit of a road grader.  Maybe it’s fitting that he was introduced by former Colts LT Tarik Glenn, who was an exceptionally powerful offensive lineman in his day (though probably a bit more athletic than Thornton).

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