Kiper and McShay’s ‘Dueling’ Mock Draft Has Colts ‘Rolling’ with Alabama Stars

According to ESPN Draft Experts Mel Kiper Jr. and Todd McShay, the Indianapolis Colts could possibly come away with a pair of Alabama defensive stars among other potential prospects.

In their recent ‘dueling’ mock draft, the two experts tag-teamed and among the Colts projected first and second round picks had Indianapolis selecting Alabama inside linebacker Rueben Foster in the first round followed by his teammate Tim Williams in the second round:

"Dec 31, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Reuben Foster (10) during warm-ups before the 2016 CFP Semifinal against the Washington Huskies at the Georgia Dome. Alabama defeated Washington 24-7. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports15. Indianapolis ColtsKiper: Reuben Foster, ILB, Alabama Foster is the best inside linebacker in this draft, but few teams above the Colts at No. 15 need inside linebackers. He’s not dropping because of his bizarre combine ejection. This would be one of the best value picks of Round 1.McShay: Forrest Lamp, G, Western Kentucky The Colts spent much of free agency adding more depth on defense, and while they still need more playmakers on that side of the ball, protecting Andrew Luck has to be a priority. Lamp is an excellent athlete, and the best all-around offensive lineman in this class. With Lamp, Jack Mewhort and last year’s first-round pick Ryan Kelly, Indy would have a strong young interior O-line.Sep 10, 2016; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Western Kentucky Hilltoppers offensive lineman Forrest Lamp (76) blocks Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Tim Williams (56) at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports46. Indianapolis ColtsKiper: Dion Dawkins, OL, TempleDawkins, a four-year starter, could move inside in the NFL after playing left tackle for the Owls. At 6-4, 314 pounds, he’s a dominant run-blocker who has good footwork and gets to the second level with ease.McShay: Tim Williams, OLB, Alabama A true pass-rush specialist who had 19.5 sacks in the past two seasons, Williams excels when his lone job is to attack the QB off the edge. But his off-field character concerns and lack of natural instincts could cause him to fall to Day 2."

For Colts fans, a Foster-Williams pairing could be nothing short of a dream scenario.

Foster is considered universally the best inside linebacker prospect in this year’s draft class, while Williams is among the top pass rushers–yet both players could potentially slide due to lingering character concerns.

Regarding Foster, the reigning unanimous 1st-Team All-American and All-SEC selection is fresh off a season for the Crimson Tide in which he recorded 115 total tackles, 13.0 tackles for loss, 5.0 sacks, and 2 passes defensed in 15 games. He’s considered a ‘sideline-to-sideline’, complete inside linebacker much like Patrick Willis was previously for the San Francisco 49ers:

Meanwhile, Williams is coming off of a standout senior season in which he recorded 9.0 sacks, 31 tackles, 16.0 tackles for loss, and 2 forced fumbles in 14 games. As a result of his exceptional play in 2016, Williams earned 2nd-Team All-America and SEC honors respectively:

However, it’s worth noting that Western Kentucky 1st-Team All-Conference offensive guard Forrest Lamp is arguably the top offensive lineman entering the NFL Draft and could theoretically be an immediate ‘plug-and-play’ starter for the Colts at right guard–just like first round starting center Ryan Kelly was last season:

Otherwise, Dion Dawkins of Temple (2nd-Team All-Conference) could theoretically also push promising 2nd-year pro Joe Haeg for the starting right guard job if selected by the Colts–as along with Lamp, he’s one of the top offensive guard prospects in this year’s draft class and another ‘plug-and-play’ player:

While all selections seem to make sense for the Colts, it seems as though the defense is a much more pressing issue than the offensive line all things considered.

It doesn’t mean that the Colts shouldn’t look to find a future starter at either guard or tackle in this year’s NFL Draft if the right prospect comes along. However, if all things are relatively equal, the Colts defense has much more questions marks and concerns.

Nevertheless, all of these prospects projected by both Kiper and McShay are highly regarded, so it wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world if the Colts selected an offensive guard early on either.