Colts must avoid this prospect after shockingly poor Pro Day

Georgia Bulldogs safety Richard LeCounte, on paper, looks like an ideal Indianapolis Colts draft pick.

After all, there are plenty of similarities in his style of play with some of Chris Ballard’s mid-round selections over the last few seasons.

LeCounte started for several seasons in a very complex Georgia defense, producing in college football’s best conference.

A physical tackler in run defense, LeCounte has a rap sheet that would help him get drafted much higher than some of his SEC counterparts.

Unfortunately, LeCounte might’ve taken a butcher knife to his NFL stock, as his pro day was one of the worst for a defensive back in recent memory. It was so bad, in fact, that Ballard wouldn’t be blamed for a second if he took him off his draft board.

LeCounte, who weighed in at 190 pounds, ran just a 4.78 40-yard dash, all the while posting poor 1.66 10-yard splits and 32-inch verticals.

Those numbers are almost disqualifying, on top of his other flaws as a prospect that should have given the Colts concerns prior.

Richard LeCounte wouldn’t fit with the Colts after his pro day.

LeCounte, who is still in the process of working his way back from an accident near the end of his final season with Georgia, said that he wants his tape to do the talking. Unfortunately, that tape had some serious issues on it, as they show someone that is more of a versatile sub-package defender than someone who could start in the NFL early in his career.

LeCounte’s range in zone coverage leaves a lot to be desired, as his athleticism comes back to bite him in this area. LeCounte has had solid production in terms of causing turnovers, but he is a bit of a gambler that was also on the wrong end of some big plays caused by his aggression in pass coverage.

LeCounte was schizophrenic in big games. While he intercepted two passes in a Sugar Bowl win against Baylor, his games against Alabama this year and LSU last year show how he can be manipulated. Julian Blackmon had some similar speed concerns before he was drafted, but he was a better athlete with more hitting power than the skinnier LeCounte.

The Colts need some defensive backs, but Ballard has a history of drafting players with higher athletic ceilings. Blackmon will need another running mate, but LeCounte shouldn’t be considered for the part.