Colts Mock Draft Round-Up
By Evan Reller
Nov 1, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Virginia Cavaliers defensive end Eli Harold (7) is shown before a play against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Bobby Dodd Stadium. Georgia Tech won 35-10. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
ESPN
Andrus Peat, Stanford, OT
"Analysis: The Colts have been active in free agency, but I still consider the offensive line a weakness they need to address in the draft. Andrew Luck is going to produce points for them, but they won’t maximize what he’s capable of if they don’t improve their pass protection and create more of a push in the run game. Peat is by no means a complete prospect, but what he does offer is big-time upside as a player who can become a very good NFL left tackle and the ability to start elsewhere on the O-line right away. There’s a chance he’s off the board in the top-10 range, so he’s a great value at this stage."
Eli Harold, Virginia, OLB
"Analysis: I’d like to give them an offensive lineman here, but there aren’t any left worth taking in this scenario. Harold would provide the Colts with a young pass-rusher to develop behind veterans Trent Cole and Robert Mathis, as Bjoern Werner has yet to provide evidence that he’ll develop into an impact player. Harold is raw and needs to improve his recognition skills and tackling ability, but he flashes very good upside as a pass-rusher and is also a good run defender."
Breakdown:
Harold makes infinitely more sense than Peat for the Colts. A number of draft experts have the Colts taking an offensive lineman in this years draft and while I agree that is important, the needs on defense are far greater (especially when coupled with Ryan Grigson’s draft history on offensive line).
Harold would join an already crowded pass rush group, and while you can never have too many rushers, he is a bit of a reach at 29. With the Colts essentially needing help across the board on defense, they can almost take the best available player on this side of the ball.