The Indianapolis Colts’ draft got off to a very strong start with the selection of Michigan pass rusher Kwity Paye with the No. 21 overall pick, but they left fans a bit puzzled with their lone selection on Day 2.
Rather than use their only pick on Friday on a potential left tackle or a new defensive back, Ballard took Vanderbilt defensive end Dayo Odeyingbo. While he’s a terrific athlete, he is coming off of an Achilles injury and may not be able to play until October.
Luckily, as Ballard has proven over the years, the Colts aren’t done adding potential stars just yet. Plenty of good players are still available at this point in the draft, and these studs could end up in blue and white next season.
If Ballard decides to address Indianapolis’ needs on Day 3, one of these four players could end up with the Colts next season.
These four Day 3 studs could end up with the Colts.
4. OT James Hudson, Cincinnati
The Colts, should they want to get some competition for apparent left tackle starter Sam Tevi, should try to add one of the most physical players at any position in this draft. The Bearcats were a meat and potatoes, smash-mouth offense, and running behind Hudson helped them become one of the deadliest Group of Five teams in the country.
Hudson will absolutely manhandle anyone who comes up against him, and he really should’ve grabbed Ballard’s attention when he was incredibly impressive against NFL rushers like Azeez Ojulari when the Bearcats battled Georgia.
James Hudson is an interesting prospect for the Colts.
Hudson might not be ready to start right away, as he isn’t the greatest athlete in the world and has some issues responding to very advanced technical pass rushers, but his ceiling is much higher than Tevi, and he could step in to relieve him in a pinch if that’s indeed the route Indianapolis wants to go down.
Hudson is a bully when he starts going downhill, and his ability to get horizontal to create running lanes would be exactly what Jonathan Taylor and those running backs would love to see. Hudson slipping this far was a shame, and Indianapolis should be able to capitalize by taking this potential starter.