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Baylor’s Andrew Billings Highlights Colts Best Day 3 Prospects Available

By Luke Schultheis

Jan 1, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Michigan State Spartans quarterback Connor Cook (18) tries to elude Baylor Bears defensive tackle Andrew Billings (75) during the first half in the 2015 Cotton Bowl Classic at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 1, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Michigan State Spartans quarterback Connor Cook (18) tries to elude Baylor Bears defensive tackle Andrew Billings (75) during the first half in the 2015 Cotton Bowl Classic at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /
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Currently, the Indianapolis Colts have 5 selections remaining in this year’s NFL Draft: 4th round (#116), 4th round (#125 from Packers), 5th round (#155), 7th round (#239) and 7th round (#248 from Packers).

Widely considered among one of the best prospects available is Baylor nose tackle Andrew Billings. Right now, it’s unclear why Billings has slipped, as he has been regarded as a potential 1st or 2nd round pick throughout the entire draft process:

The 6’11”, 311 pound nose tackle recorded 39 tackles, 14.0 tackles for loss, and 5.5 sacks in 11 games–en route to becoming named Big 12 co-Defensive Player of the Year for the Bears.

Of course, the Colts were previously linked to Billings, and it could just be a matter of time before the team selects him if he’s still on the board.

As a 5th round pick last year, David Parry started out strong for the Colts at starting nose tackle, but wore down as the season progressed. According to Pro Football Focus (subscription), Parry finished with a -13.9 grade overall, which ranked him as the 68th nose tackle among 70 qualifiers.

Consequently, Billings could theoretically become an upgrade at the starting nose tackle position.

Among the other best remaining Day 3 prospects include:

Devontae Booker, RB Utah:

Nov 14, 2015; Tucson, AZ, USA; Utah Utes running back Devontae Booker (23) runs the ball against the Arizona Wildcats during the first quarter at Arizona Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 14, 2015; Tucson, AZ, USA; Utah Utes running back Devontae Booker (23) runs the ball against the Arizona Wildcats during the first quarter at Arizona Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports /

The 5’11”, 219 pound senior running rushed for 1,261 rushing yards on 268 carries (4.7 ypc avg) and 11 rushing touchdowns in 10 games before suffering a torn meniscus. Despite the injury, Booker still earned 2nd-Team All-Pac 12 honors.

What makes Booker so special is that he’s a complete running back, as he has had 80 receptions for 622 receiving yards and 2 receiving touchdowns over his past two seasons with the Utes.

Alex Collins, RB Arkansas:

Oct 31, 2015; Fayetteville, AR, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks running back Alex Collins (3) rushes against the Tennessee Martin Skyhawks at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Arkansas defeated UTM 63-28. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 31, 2015; Fayetteville, AR, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks running back Alex Collins (3) rushes against the Tennessee Martin Skyhawks at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Arkansas defeated UTM 63-28. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports /

The 5’10”, 217 pound junior running back rushed for 1,577 total rushing yards on 271 carries (5.8 ypc avg) and a whopping 20 rushing touchdowns in 13 games for the Razorbacks–earning 2nd-Team All-SEC Honors.

Collins may not be the most dynamic running back, but he’s a no-nonsense, meat and potatoes running back who was highly productive at the collegiate level.

Helping his Colts cause is that the team’s new running backs coach Jemal Singleton was Collins running backs coach at Arkansas this past season.

Joshua Perry, ILB Ohio State:

Sep 19, 2015; Columbus, OH, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker Joshua Perry (37) during the second half at Ohio Stadium. Ohio State won the game 20-13. Mandatory Credit: Joe Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 19, 2015; Columbus, OH, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker Joshua Perry (37) during the second half at Ohio Stadium. Ohio State won the game 20-13. Mandatory Credit: Joe Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports /

The 6’4″, 254 pound senior inside linebacker recorded 105 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, and 3 sacks for the Buckeyes in 13 starts–being named 1st-Team All-Big Ten. He’s viewed as a physical, run-stopping inside linebacker that can rack up tackles–very much like the Colts very own D’Qwell Jackson.

Of course, the Colts could use additional inside linebacker depth, as the team lost last year’s starter Jerrell Freeman to the Chicago Bears in free agency.

Miles Killebrew, S Southern Utah:

Jan 30, 2016; Mobile, AL, USA; South squad tight end Jerell Adams of South Carolina (89) is tackled by North squad safety Miles Killebrew of Southern Utah (25) in the first quarter of the Senior Bowl at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 30, 2016; Mobile, AL, USA; South squad tight end Jerell Adams of South Carolina (89) is tackled by North squad safety Miles Killebrew of Southern Utah (25) in the first quarter of the Senior Bowl at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports /

The 6’2″, 217 pound safety has been previously connected with the Colts after an impressive season for the Thunderbirds in which he recorded 132 tackles and 7 pass breakups.

While the Colts already took Clemson safety T.J. Green in Round 2, Killebrew has been seen more as a hybrid linebacker, who can play the role that has been recently popularized by Arizona Cardinals linebacker/safety Deone Bucannon–a player Killebrew has been aptly compared to.

Cardale Jones, QB Ohio State:

Sep 12, 2015; Columbus, OH, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Cardale Jones (12) warms up before the game against the Hawaii Warriors at Ohio Stadium. The Ohio State Buckeyes beat the Hawaii Warriors by the score of 38-0. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 12, 2015; Columbus, OH, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Cardale Jones (12) warms up before the game against the Hawaii Warriors at Ohio Stadium. The Ohio State Buckeyes beat the Hawaii Warriors by the score of 38-0. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports /

Yes, the Colts already have Andrew Luck, but as we saw firsthand last season, it doesn’t hurt to have a competent backup quarterback behind him.

The 6’5″, 253 pound junior quarterback completed 109 passes last season for 1,459 passing yards, 8 touchdowns, 5 interceptions, and a passer rating of 141.7 in 10 games.

After leading the Buckeyes to a Big Ten and national title just a season prior, Jones showed some flashes of inconsistency this past season. However, he has the size and arm to be an intriguing developmental quarterback prospect.

Jerell Adams, TE South Carolina:

Sep 12, 2015; Columbia, SC, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks tight end Jerell Adams (89) runs towards the end zone after making a catch during the second half at Williams-Brice Stadium. Kentucky wins 26-22 over South Carolina. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 12, 2015; Columbia, SC, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks tight end Jerell Adams (89) runs towards the end zone after making a catch during the second half at Williams-Brice Stadium. Kentucky wins 26-22 over South Carolina. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports /

The 6’5″, 247 pound tight end was the Gamecocks 2nd leading receiver with 28 receptions for 421 receiving yards and 3 touchdown receptions in 12 games this past season. Adams is among one of the best tight ends in what’s been widely regarded as a weak tight end class.

Of course, the Colts could use additional tight end depth behind starter Dwayne Allen, as the team lost it’s other highly regarded tight end Coby Fleener to the New Orleans Saints in free agency.

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