2022 NFL Draft Analysis – Indianapolis Colts

What a weekend. Chris Ballard drafted a WR, TE, and LT with his first 3 picks of the 2022 NFL Draft, the position group almost all Colts fans were clamoring for. I thought we did really well for not having a first round pick this year.

Below was the Colts’ haul for the draft:

• No. 53, Alec Pierce, WR, Cincinnati
• No. 73, Jelani Woods, TE, Virginia
• No. 77, Bernhard Raimann, OT, Central Michigan
• No. 96, Nick Cross, S, Maryland
• No. 159, Eric Johnson, DT, Missouri State
• No. 192, Andrew Ogletree, TE, Youngstown State
• No. 216, Curtis Brooks, DT, Cincinnati
• No. 239, Rodney Thomas II, DB, Yale

#53: Alec Pierce, WR, Cincinnati – I was hoping we would have kept our pick and drafted Pickens (went to the Steelers a pick before) or Skyy Moore (they still could have picked Skyy as the Chiefs took him a pick after after the trade-down), but in Ballard I trust! Alec Pierce is a burner, and we need someone like him who can keep defenses honest with speed, and a 4.41 40-yard dash time definitely helps. His route tree isn’t as sophisticated, but with the plethora of weapons Matt Ryan has at his disposal, he can honestly just run streaks and deep posts all day. After watching his highlights, I love how he high points the ball on contested catches and uses his size to box out smaller defensive backs with his 6’3, 211 lb. frame. A big plus is he’s also a good run blocker. Him and Pittman Jr. on the outside blocking for JT will be real fun to watch. He has also shown good footwork and change of pace speed, but he won’t burn you with his YAC. I’ve seen Jordy Nelson and Eric Decker comps, and if he ever reaches Jordy’s level at his peak, I’d be a happy man. Grade: B+

#73: Jelani Woods, TE, Virginia – This guy is 6’7, 259 lbs. and can both block and catch the ball. What’s not to like? With Jack Doyle retired, we needed to find a TE1 replacement, and Jelani Woods could be the one. Think of Mo Alie-Cox, but bigger, faster, and a better receiver; oh boy, he will be fun to watch. He has a huge ceiling and I hope he reaches it. He can stretch the offense vertically with our first pick Alec Pierce while Pittman Jr. runs the intermediate routes. Jelani can also be a good safety net on check downs when needed. Like Alec, Jelani Woods doesn’t really have YAC speed, but he can just truck stick smaller defensive backs on his way to the end zone like Nelson Muntz. Grade: A-

#77: Bernhard Raimann, OT, Central Michigan – Hopefully Eric Fisher hands the Central Michigan torch to Bernhard. I really like this pick, as we needed a left tackle to protect Matt Ryan’s weary bones. 6’7 305lb. Bernhard Raimann will do. He’ll be making pancakes every Sunday, opening lanes up for JT, although Matty Ice might not get as much to eat. Bernhard’s run blocking is elite but his pass blocking needs some refinement. Many say he slid in the draft due to injury concerns, but he was one of the best offensive tackle prospects in this draft. Chris Ballard does really well in drafting in the 2nd and 3rd rounds and I hope this continues. Bernhard may have a limited ceiling, but his floor is high enough where he can be a solid starter in his career. I’m excited to see him on the field next to Big Q on that Colts’ offensive line. Grade: A

#96: Nick Cross, S, Maryland – How many safeties do we have now? I’m going to assume Julian Blackmon and Khari Willis aren’t as healthy as we think they are, with the recent focus on safeties. We added Rodney McLeod and Armani Watts this offseason, and although they will probably play different safety positions, strong safety and special teams respectively, this pick is more a luxury pick than a need. Nick Cross comes in with good tackling and ball tracking skills. I see him more as an Earl Thomas-esque player in the Colts’ version of the Legion of Boom with Gus Bradley than a Landry-type player who can only hit hard but not cover. I’m looking forward to some hit stick tackles at the second level on opposing running backs. Grade: B

#159: Eric Johnson, DT, Missouri State – A big man from a small school. Chris Ballard loves versatile players who can play different positions, and Eric Johnson can play four-tech or three-tech. He’s explosive and fast and steps into a great situation, being on the same line with arguably the best DT in the league in Deforest Buckner. He isn’t as good at stopping the run, so that may be an issue when you’re in the same division as Derrick Henry and James Robinson, but he’ll be great at shedding the blocks, getting off the line, and putting pressure on the opposing QBs. DT was a need for us, as we lost six defensive lineman after the season’s end and only added Ngakoue. Grade: B

#192: Andrew Ogletree, TE, Youngstown State – A bit confused with the pick, as we already have a TE room of Woods, Cox, and Granson. Maybe Chris Ballard isn’t as high on Granson as I am, although I’m not sure if anyone is as high on Granson as I am, even his mom. Ogletree is a 6th rounder, so I think he is just being brought in as depth. He may be the eventual replacement to Mo Alie-Cox when his contract ends. Grade: C+

#216: Curtis Brooks, DT, Cincinnati – Ballard double dips on DT by picking Alec Pierce’s college teammate. He is a good depth pick and will be competing with the other bigger ‘end’ positions, and we are slowly replenishing the defensive line. I can see him as a Dollar General’s Jabaal Sheard, good at stopping the run but average at putting pressure on the opposing QB. Grade: B-

#239: Rodney Thomas, DB, Yale – We traded away Rock Ya-Sin, Xavier Rhodes and TJ Carrie are out, so there was still an open spot for the other starting CB. I think Isiah Rodgers or Marvin Tell III steps up to fill that role, but Rodney Thomas will give them a run for their money. He’s a good tackler and a depth piece, and with Kenny Moore as a mentor, he could be an even better tackler. Grade: B

Overall, I loved this draft. We filled some needs on the defensive side with some rotational and depth pieces, but we added some potential key pieces on the offense. Pierce and Woods gives Matt Ryan two more receiving weapons to work with, while potentially being pancake makers for the best running back in the league. Let’s see how these players pan out, but for now, I am so excited for the new season to start.

May 2, 2022 | Categories: Uncategorized | Leave a comment