'08
Draft Review:
Round
2 (#59): C Mike Pollak, Arizona State
Pollak graded out as the top center in this draft and was projected by many to
be a late second to early third round pick, so the Colts picked him up at the
perfect time in terms of his value. With a key of theirs coming into the draft
being at offensive guard, I would expect them to go with Pollak at that
position as the skills required at guard are very similar to those at center
and Pollak should be more than capable of playing there. When Jeff Saturday
eventually retires, he will also give them an option there too. Solid pick by
Indy.
Pick grade: B+
Round 3 (#93): LB Phillip Wheeler, Georgia Tech
Coming into the draft, many felt that Phillip Wheeler was much better suited in
a 3-4 defense and would only draw consideration from teams that run such a
system. However, the Colts took a look at him and liked what they saw in terms
of his zone coverage ability and felt that he could also be an asset in their
4-3 tampa-2 defense. He needs to work on his man coverage skills and will
likely sit for a year or two before getting an opportunity to start. The value
was about right with him here, especially if he can develop as expected.
Pick grade: B+
Round 4 (#127): TE Jacob Tamme, Kentucky
Tamme is another of the glorified wide receiver type of tight end but seems to
be a decent fit for the Colts. With Dallas Clark entrenched as the starter for
the long term in Indianapolis, Tamme will never be asked to go it alone for a
full season, but with former backup Ben Utecht now a Bengal the Colts knew they
needed someone in to replace him. Tamme could well have gone a little higher,
so to get him here was another piece of value for the Colts.
Pick grade: B
Round 5 (#161): DE Marcus Howard, Georgia
Howard is very much a Colts type of defensive end – he is undersized but had
solid production in college with 10.5 sacks as a senior. The only question I
would ask of the Colts is this: why not take a bigger guy who could aid your
run defense and provide a stouter backup to your current starters? I think
Howard will be a very good fit for the Colts D, but I just feel as though they
could use a bigger guy to use in certain situations. However, once again it is
difficult to fault this pick.
Pick grade: B+
Round 6 (#196): TE Tom Santi, Virginia
I’m not sure the Colts needed to take another tight end with this pick, though
I will say that he does bring them something totally different to Tamme. Santi
is a big, blocking tight end who will likely only see the field in goal line situations,
if he makes the team at all that is. Would probably have been available later
on too.
Pick grade: D
Round 6 (#201): C Steve Justice, Wake Forest
In the sixth round Justice gives the Colts excellent value for the pick – this
writer had him valued as a fourth round pick. He could well be the future
replacement for Jeff Saturday or again he could also be moved out to guard and
could play a role there too. Either way he should find his slot on this team
and contribute in the future.
Pick grade: A-
Round 6 (#202): RB Mike Hart, Michigan
With Joseph Addai already in Indianapolis, Mike Hart will likely be his backup
and see some spot duty throughout the year. He’s not really ever been used as a
receiver out of the backfield, but give him the ball and he will hit the hole
with power and earn some hard yards on the ground. He doesn’t have the size or
timed speed that you look for in a runner, but is another solid pick up at this
point.
Pick grade: B
Round 6 (#205): WR Pierre Garcon, Mount Union
Garcon was the leading receiver at DIII Mount Union, although if Colts are
hoping they have chanced upon the second coming of Marques Colston they may
well be disappointed. Garcon may get the opportunity to return kicks for the
Colts, but with Marvin Harrison getting a little long in the tooth I’m
surprised they didn’t address receiver earlier in the draft.
Pick grade: C
Round 7 (#236): OT Jamey Richard, Buffalo
Adding depth on the lines is important for any franchise, so little surprise
that the Colts picked up their third offensive lineman in the draft here. While
he may well get cut after training camp, the Colts will at least have protected
themselves in case of injuries and they do have a reputation for turning lower
round lineman into serviceable starters, so you never know.
Pick grade: B-
The Colts didn’t try and do anything flashy in this draft, they just went out
and addressed some key needs, both now and for the future too. They got some
very good value throughout the draft and as usual come away with a solid
looking set of rookies – just another draft in the life of Bill Polian I guess.
Final grade: B
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2008 Draft Review
Official Indianapolis Colts Website