Colts take cornerback Marvell Tell with 144th pick

The Colts continued their defensive-heavy approach in this draft but taking yet another defensive back.

The Colts clearly went into the draft this year with a plan to improve the defense. They have done that so far, and they did it again in the fifth round, taking cornerback Marvell Tell out of USC. He gives them more depth at that position moving forward.

Tell was a mainstay in the USC backfield, playing significant time in all four of his years. He has pretty good cover skills as evidenced by his 13 career passes defended and his 5 career interceptions. That is the type of corner the Colts are looking for.

Getting someone who has played as much football as Tell has in the 5th round is a great value. He might not start right away, but gives the team depth and an available rotation. Based on all of the picks that they have used on the defensive side, they clearly want to change their depth.

Tell is the second corner the Colts have taken in the draft, after Rock Ya-Sin. Ya-Sin will get more playing time early, but Tell will certainly see the field too. He will have to make most of his time on special teams, which is where he is likely to see the most playoff time.

It will be interesting to see where Tell will fall on the depth chart when the season starts. He will likely be the fourth or fifth corner on the depth chart, but he has a chance to be a solid player for the Colts. He should have a good career.