Colts Draft: Ryan Grigson’s Success Rate
By Evan Reller
Jan 11, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Indianapolis Colts guard Jack Mewhort (75) in the 2014 AFC Divisional playoff football game against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
2014 Draft
59 – Jack Mewhort, G, 14 starts
90 – Donte Moncrief, WR, 2 starts (16 games played)
155 – Jonathan Newsome, OLB, 1 start (16 games played)
203 – Andrew Jackson, ILB, 13 games played
232 – Ulrick John, OT, IR all season
While the productivity from the few players taken in this draft has been great, the fact that Grigson traded away the first round pick for Trent Richardson will always hang over his head. That move taints this draft class and leads to an uphill battle for every player.
Besides Richardson (who I promise we’ll stop mentioning soon, probably), the Colts had a very good draft. Mewhort looks like he’ll be a good guard for years to come and helped solidify the left side of the offensive line for the majority of the season.
Moncrief played himself into the third receiver spot and was a more viable down field option than Reggie Wayne (blasphemy!) at times. While he’ll have to fight Andre Johnson for snaps, he appears to be another good pick up for the offense.
Jan 11, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Indianapolis Colts linebacker Jonathan Newsome (91) forces a fumble from Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (18) during the second quarter in the 2014 AFC Divisional playoff football game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Newsome led the Colts in sacks in 2014, the first rookie to do so since Dwight Freeney. Newsome also had a few Mathis-like moments, including the game changing strip-sack of Peyton Manning in the playoffs.
Jackson wasn’t anything special and his second DUI in under a year led to him being cut following the season. John has potential as a tackle, but a leg injury sent him to IR for the entire season.
While gaining a starter, and possibly two more, is great for three picks it doesn’t forgive Grigson for wasting the first round pick on Richardson.
Out of the 22 picks that Grigson has made, only eight can be qualified as true successes.