The 2012 Draft class for the Indianapolis Colts will largely be defined by one pick, the first overall selection in this year’s draft. While all the attention will be focused on their first pick, the Colts had nine other selections in the draft, and the Colts hope that with these picks their team can return to their winning ways. These picks will need time to develop, but there is plenty of talent here for the Colts to build on and hopefully contend for a playoff berth a season or two down the road.
Round 1, Pick 1: Andrew Luck. There isn’t much to say about this Stanford graduate that hasn’t been said already. He is the most highly anticipated quarterback prospect to come in the league since at least his predecessor as quarterback for the Colts, Peyton Manning in 1998. Luck is expected to start from Day One, and after strong rookie seasons from the previous two years’ #1 picks (Cam Newton and Sam Bradford) the pressure will be on for him to have a good year as well. Luck is coming to a team that was the worst in the league last season, and while the team will not be projected to go far, it is hoped that he will give at least some hope to the Colts’ fan-base. His story will be at the forefront of League news for most of the year.
Round 2, Pick 34: Coby Fleener and Round 3, Pick 64: Dwayne Allen.
I’ve already written plenty about Fleener this year, but he is also a Stanford grad, and will be another player who the Colts think will be a face of their rebuilding efforts.
Allen marked the second consecutive tight end the Colts drafted in 2012. The two tight end picks are reminiscent of what the Patriots did in 2011, drafting both Aaron Hernandez and Rob Gronkowski in that year’s draft. The Colts would surely be blessed if they could get the same production out of Fleener and Allen that the Patriots have had out of Hernandez and Gronkowski. Allen was a solid starter for the Crimson Tigers from 2009-2011, and won the Mackey Award in 2011 as the best tight end in college football. While Fleener was considered the best play-maker at tight end this year, many think that Allen fits better as a traditional tight end and would be a consistent starter for the Colts down the road.
Round 3, Pick 92: T.Y. Hilton. Hilton, a wide receiver out of Florida International, was the fourth straight offensive player chosen by the Colts; not a bad strategy considering the Colts’ pitiful offense last season. The Colts traded up to choose Hilton, a player they see as another dangerous target for their young quarterback. While at 5’9 he may be small for a top-notch wide receiver, Hilton is a quick player and could see time as a returner as well. With Hilton, the Colts overlooked the small size and felt that they saw a player who could be a game-breaker in coming years.
Round 5, Pick 136: Josh Chapman. Chapman was one of a host of players from the SEC to come out of this draft. A defensive tackle out of Alabama, Chapman is expected to be a contributor down the road, but he is getting a late start this season after having off-season knee surgery. Chapman was injured in the middle of the season, but risked his health and draft prospects to continue to play for his team during their national title run. The Crimson Tide defense had five players selected in the first-round in this year’s draft, and while Chapman was not one of those players, he is seen as a potential quality starter in this league.
Round 5, Pick 170: Vick Ballard. Ballard was the second player in a row that the Colts selected from the SEC, and the Mississippi State running back is hoped to be the back that the Colts have been missing the past few seasons. Ballard had a difficult time at the combine, as during his first attempt at the 40 yard dash he actually tripped and fell into the timer. However, the toughness that Ballard displayed in getting back and posting a solid time at the 40 was present throughout his college career. Ballard is seen as a great short-yardage back who could eventually develop into an every-down back. Ballard has already made his presence known at the Colts’ OTAs, and is a name to watch this coming season.
Round 6, Pick 206: LaVon Brazil. The second wide receiver chosen by the Colts in this draft Brazil, out of Ohio University, could be seen as a bit more of a project than Hilton, but both players are cut out of the same mold. Brazil dropped so low after sitting out almost his entire 2010 season with a knee injury, and after suffering another knee injury in 2011. While he does have the injury questions, he is considered a reliable target at receiver and could be used on special teams as well. Brazil could be a solid wide receiver at some time for the Colts, but for now it looks like he’ll be earning his lumps playing with the special teams unit.
Round 7, Pick 208: Justin Anderson. Anderson was a starter at tackle for the Georgia Bulldogs, and will be a project for the Colts’ coaching staff this season. Anderson has good potential to be a starter on the line, but most draftniks see him as a guard in the NFL rather than a tackle. Anderson has a good deal of talent for a first-year player, but it will be the work he does on his technique that will determine his NFL success.
Round 7, Pick 214: Tim Fugger. Fugger is another player who the Colts hope to see switch positions after a move to the NFL. While a three-year starter on the Vanderbilt defensive line, Fugger projects better as a linebacker in the NFL due to his smaller frame and quick speed. Considering the Colts will be looking to switch to a 3-4 under new coach Chuck Pagano’s direction, Fugger would be the type of player well suited to a 3-4, a linebacker who still has the ability to play with his head down at the line.
Round 7, Pick 253: Chandler Harnish. Owning both the first and last picks in the 2012 NFL Draft, the Colts chose Northern Illinois quarterback Chandler Harnish, making him this year’s “Mr. Irrelevant.” Considering his draft position, Harnish is not projected to do much in the NFL, but as he learns with his fellow 2012 draftee Andrew Luck, it is possible that this environment proves conducive for Harnish to develop. So much of the Colts’ season will be based around quarterback development, and Harnish will be right there with Luck in those meetings.
This year’s draft included a whopping eight offensive players for the Colts. After last year’s performance and the veteran departures in the off-season, it is hoped that this year’s draftees will change the direction of the Colts. Fans should keep an eye on these players this year if they are looking to see how close the Colts are to contending in the near future.
By Eric Gustafsson
