Indianapolis Colts 2018 Draft Class Review

With the 2018 NFL Draft behind us, it’s time to begin the review process on how each team stacks up with the selections they’ve made. It seems the Colts finally have a general manager in Chris Ballard that understands how to build a team. Holding the third overall selection, Ballard went to work early trading down with the New York Jets to secure extra draft capital. The movement didn’t stop there, after all was said and done, Indianapolis was able to generate a whopping eleven picks in the 2018 draft in hopes to finally have a plan forward to rebuild this club. A good crop has been selected and the future is starting to look brighter, let’s review… 

Indianapolis Colts 2018 Draft Class Review:

Round 1 – Pick 6 (6)

Quenton Nelson (G)

The Colts landed perhaps one of the best prospects in this year’s draft with exception of Saquon Barkley. The former Notre Dame Irish standout has all the intangibles to make coaches and general managers take full notice and would do anything to get on their squad. Nelson checks off all the evaluation check boxes with his great size, body build, strength, intelligence, quick feet, and hand placement. There’s little to question that Nelson will enter camp with the starting job and hold it for many years to come. Showing great at the NFL Combine just confirmed what the perception of the man already was, a beast.

Going to Indy, Quenton will begin the rebuild of a terrible offensive line that couldn’t seem to block anyone laying casualty to their franchise quarterback being lost for an entire season after enduring much punishment. While no clarity remains if Andrew Luck will be ready for week one, but when he steps on the field he’ll surely have more confidence that he’ll get far better protection.

Nelson is fantastic in all facets in his craft including being an elite level run blocker and almost equally as superb in pass-pro. The Colts got a gem in Nelson as they begin to get back to respectability.     

ADF Prediction: 100% All-Star for many years.

Round 2 – Pick 4 (36)

Darius Leonard (LB)

Not on ADF’s radar this early in the second round but we completely understand why the Colts chose Darius Leonard with their first pick on day two. Leonard passes the eye test in terms of stature coming in at 6’2” and 234 pounds while still being able to run a nice 4.7 40 time at the combine. Darius is quite athletic and has great ability to sniff out plays showing he was a tackling machine in college. What makes this pick very intriguing is that Leonard is a multi-purpose player that can easily play both the 3-4 and 4-3 defense showing a keen aptitude in understanding both systems. Leonard will have to learn the pro game and adapt his playing style to be a full time effective player in the NFL.

ADF Prediction: Good potential and could be a very solid player for many years.

Round 2 – Pick 5 (37)

Braden Smith (G)

General Manager Chris Ballard wasted no time to continue addressing the biggest need on this Colts squad. Adding another Guard to the mix, Indy selected Braden Smith whom is also a behemoth of a man. Standing 6’6” tall and 315 pounds the former Auburn product has a great opportunity to slide in beside Colts Center Ryan Kelly while forming a fantastic interior with Quenton Nelson. Smith has the talent to also play day one given the inept production from the Colts offensive line, but don’t get me wrong, this won’t be for lack of talent. Smith will require some refining to his skill-set but we have little doubt he’ll correct his inadequacies with great coaching. Do the Colts have an offensive line? I think so!  

ADF Prediction: Solid starter.  

Round 2 – Pick 20 (52)

Kemoko Turay (DE)

If it seems as though ADF is singing the praises to what GM Chris Ballard has done thus far in the draft, you’d be correct. ADF firmly believes the old school mentality to build a solid group; it all starts in the trenches. Great production from the offensive and defensive lines still promotes the upmost results for systems to take shape. Turay’s path to football somewhat mirrors that of the Lions Ziggy Ansah in that they’re both from the same region and had a late start to playing the game of football. Kemoko is very gifted as an athlete but still shows signs of being quite raw at times. His size, quickness, and burst off the ball is something that definitely would’ve caught the eyes of the Colts brain-trust. He can be very versatile coming off the edge and dropping into coverage, but will make his living sacking quarterbacks.       

ADF Prediction: Good potential - requires coaching.

Round 2 – Pick 32 (64)

Tyquan Lewis (DE)

Drafting players from “The – Ohio State” usually has ways of working out. Yet again the Colts addressed the defensive line with their third selection in the second round taking another rushing presence in Tyquan Lewis. While all the traits don’t jump off the paper when discussing Lewis and his ability, ADF believes that if placed in the correct situation, he will succeed. Though he does possess a good first step off the ball, Lewis could do wonders in drawing blocking to his side. Exploiting his talents and drawing on every ounce of skill will be the largest challenge for the Colts.  

ADF Prediction: Moderate/low potential

Round 4 – Pick 4 (104)

Nyheim Hines (RB)

This perhaps was one of ADF’s favorite picks in the entire Colts draft class in 2018. ADF is a huge fan of Hines to say the least as he was able to breakout in his final season at N.C. State. While we recognize his stature is quite undersized standing 5’8” tall, the potential Hines brings to this Colts offense is something they haven’t had in recent memory. Running a blistering 4.38 40 time only begins to describe the talent level of this man. His cutting and change of pace ability is so fluid it almost looks effortless on the field. Though Hines lacks height; his frame is built rather solid almost reaching the 200 pound mark. Also, Nyheim is a very capable pass catcher out of the backfield that could mirror an Alvin Kamara type of role providing Andrew Luck with a much needed outlet on check downs and designed plays to gain chunk yardage. ADF does question if Hines would be able to handle a full time three down role in any offense, but the upside to have a tandem as forceful as the best in the NFL could happen with Hines as a massive producer. Get ready for Nyheim Hines to open eyes this season and beyond.   

ADF Prediction: Fantastic potential to be a high end producer.  

Round 5 – Pick 22 (159)

Daurice Fountain (WR)

The Colts seemed to have taken a dart throw on the former Northern Iowa prospect. Having his best season as a senior and showing good ability as he matured into his body understanding his capabilities. Racking up twelve touchdowns in his final season and doing his best to impress scouts before the draft, Chris Ballard and company obviously saw something in the young man to take a chance. Fountain should require a lot of attention on refining his skills and ADF fears he could disappear while being buried on the depth chart.    

Round 5 – Pick 32 (169)

Jordan Wilkins (RB)

The Colts continue to add depth and talent to areas with the most glaring needs. With Marlon Mack as the only viable runner on the roster, adding Wilkins along with Hines should allow new coach Frank Reich to get creative with these players. Jordan is a bigger back that could take on goal line duties if needed while providing a change of pace to the skills of Mack and Hines.

Round 6 – Pick 11 (185)

Deon Cain (WR)

ADF was baffled to see Cain fall so far during the draft as his talent level is far too good even with some off field issues. The former Clemson Tiger showed brilliance on the field while improving his craft every year. While he didn’t blow away the competition with his statistical numbers, he has plenty of room to grow under great coaching and also learning from one of the best in TY Hilton. Cain has very good size and speed that is definitely missing from this Colts offense. Deon has all the traits to be a great complement to Hilton as he is a very good route runner and can easily break away from defenders with his speed and quickness. This was an absolute slam dunk of a pick this late in the NFL draft!   

ADF Prediction: Draft steal, fantastic upside.

Round 7 – Pick 3 (221)

Matthew Adams (LB)

This pick screams depth addition with the potential to not make the final roster. Adams was a fairly efficient tackler in college and might best be suited for special teams or the practice squad.

Round 7 – Pick 17 (235)

Zaire Franklin (LB)

Much like the Colts other seventh round selection, this former Syracuse alum could have a better shot at playing for the Colts this season. Franklin had decent production with the Orangemen creating havoc and finding ball carriers regularly. ADF could see a role for Franklin.     

2018 Undrafted Free Agent Signings

Michael Badgley, K, Michigan

Skai Moore, LB, South Carolina

Henre' Toliver, DB, Arkansas

Robert Jackson, DB, UNLV

Chris Cooper, DB, Stony Brook

Tomasi Laulile, DT, Colts

Will Ossai, LB, San Jose State

Lashard Durr, DB, Mississippi State

Steve Ishmael, WR, Syracuse

George Odum, DB, Central Arkansas