Locked On Colts - Daily Podcast On The Indianapolis Colts - INDIANAPOLIS COLTS GM Chris Ballard Reveals Final Thoughts Before NFL Draft

Starting point is 00:00:00 Indianapolis Colts General Manager Chris Ballard dished out all the latest info in his pre-draft press. So we're going to react to it today. Let's get to it. You are locked on Colts, your daily Indianapolis Colts podcast. Part of the Locked On Podcast Network, your team every day. Thank you all for tuning in and making us your first listen of the day. This is your daily podcast covering your Indianapolis Colts, part of the Locked On Podcast Network, your team every day.

Starting point is 00:00:35 Today's episode is brought to you by the all new 2025 Nissan Armada. Stay tuned for the Armada player of the week later in the show. Hello, everyone. My name is Zach Hicks, your resident film nerd of Horseshoe huddle dot com. My partner in crime, Jake Arthur, is our credentialed boots on the ground for the site. And speaking of boots on the ground, Jake was there for Chris Ballard's press conference, the pre draft presser today to hear all the things that Chris Ballard had to say very coy coyly, obviously, about this upcoming NFL draft. You can't give away the state secrets like, you know, like some GMs do across the league.

Starting point is 00:01:11 Ballard is honest, but he's not too honest with reporters. But we were able to get some good info from him today in this press conference. So to start off the show, we're going to talk about just Chris Ballard's thoughts on the draft. We're going to talk about what Ballard thinks about the roster and certain roster moves. And then we're going to react to some of your guys' reactions that you sent Jake about this pre-draft presser. So Jake, let's start off with a couple of Ballard's notable comments about this upcoming draft class. And I think the most notable thing is he did try to pour a little bit of water On the tight end talk in round one, which is smart

Starting point is 00:01:48 You don't want every other team to know that you're taking a tight end that high where Look, I like that He's trying to pour water on it But like all they have to do is look at your tight end depth chart and they know that you're probably going tight end early In this draft, but one thing that to me kind of still gave away a early in this draft. But one thing that to me kind of still gave away a little bit of their intention was the comment where he said, look at tight end, we're looking for a three down player that works well over the middle. Look, there's only three of those guys in this draft, in my opinion. I like Terrence Ferguson. I don't think he's a three down

Starting point is 00:02:19 player, but I do like Terrence Ferguson. So maybe you could stretch it to four, but like there's like three guys and all three of them are probably going around one. So you're kind of hinting if you want that tight end, you have to take him in round one. So to me, Jake, like I know he said, it's a deep tight end class. And they like the tight end from first, second round to day three. But like, come on, come on, you know. Yeah, no, he's right.

Starting point is 00:02:43 There are guys that both of us like through all three days of the draft, but like Terrence Ferguson being one of those very last potential guys to be like the three down guys. Like you're getting pretty ballsy if you're waiting until like round three, round four, but Ferguson is gonna go to do that. So like you and I have said,

Starting point is 00:03:02 there are three of these guys. It's Tyler Warren, Colston Loveland and Mason Taylor. And if you leave the first round without being able to get one, it's kind of shame on you, man. Like there's a good chance Warren's not there at 14, sure. But like the chances that Warren and Loveland aren't there, pretty minimal, which means, okay. Like maybe you scoot back a little bit and get Mason Taylor,

Starting point is 00:03:26 but you shouldn't leave those first 40 picks without one of those guys. Cause then you're trying to rely on Elijah Royal and counting on his knees being fine Oregon, Terrence Ferguson, and that him coming from Oregon is going to be able to, to hold up over the middle and be able to block at a level to where they themselves said they don't have to leave the field. They're three down players. So that's only three guys. And then kind of, again, reading the tea leaves and everything, Ballard had mentioned, you know, their rankings, their big board is just not reflective of what people think at all. And they get criticized, everyone rankings, their big board is just not reflective of what people think at all and they get criticized.

Starting point is 00:04:06 Everyone does for like reaching on player players here and there every year. And it's like, well, who is, who are you to say that's a reach? Which to me said, Hey, within the first 14 to 20 picks or so, they would be totally cool with either of those three tight ends, like obviously Warren and Loveland have been mocked there all the time. But if they want to go and take Mason Taylor way before anyone else has been projecting, I think they're comfortable with that because that probably matches the value on their board.

Starting point is 00:04:38 And that's the last of the type of guys are trying to covet. And it has to be by them. Yeah. So I certainly think tight ends going to be that first round pick, but you never know, they could pull a change up on us. He had like the curve ball at us. And if they do throw that curve ball, we fully expect it to be an offensive lineman or a defensive lineman.

Starting point is 00:04:56 Chris power had two separate questions today asking about the trenches on both sides of the ball. And he said to pretty much all of those questions, like, you can't have enough on the old line, you can't have enough on the D line, which is very true. To me, though, and again, maybe this is me going off my own tangent. I look at the depth of the tight end class, and I don't really like it outside of round one with those top three guys. I look at the depth of the trenches in this class, though, and O line and D line. And I see a lot of guys that ballards going to like so I still maintain maintain I think it's gonna be tight end early and then o line and D line

Starting point is 00:05:27 The next two rounds and rounds two and three were like, you know, whatever order that's going to be But I mean he was completely right when he said that you look you can't have enough on the trenches You got to keep adding on the trenches and I fully expect them to add a starting caliber right guard in round two or three And I fully expect another playable defensive lineman in that same range as well. Yeah, absolutely. I mean, he was asked about, you know, how deep is this draft? How many blue players do you have this and that? And without getting too much into it, he was like, you know, there's probably not as much

Starting point is 00:05:58 like high end elite talent as normal. And then he said, you know, kind of around around rounds two to five is where you're looking at for that. And like you mentioned, the fall off after tight end value in round one is crazy compared to, I think you could find a new starting right guard in like round four or five. And that's what he's alluding to is like the depth of the draft there. And I think at the combine, he was referring to the trenches of having that great depth there.

Starting point is 00:06:29 Uh, so I think that's really where they're, they're looking to address that. And when he said there's really good depth in rounds two to five, that makes me think like the way you stockpile those picks is by trading back most likely in round two and that sweet spot to get to about the 50th pick We've seen them do that a couple times. So if you trade back the second round from 45 to about 50 to 53 or something like that, you're gonna get back another mid-round pick in exchange for that So I expect to see them do that and I expect to see at least one player on either side of the line going to them like I think they're going to hit that early and often. Yeah, I want to say it was the Alec Pearson Bernhardt Ryman draft where they moved back

Starting point is 00:07:15 once or twice in round two to get that third round pick that turned into Ryman so they've done this in the past to get those extra day two or day three picks add more to the arsenal and then have more shots to get impact players like a Baron Hard Ryman who wouldn't be here if they didn't Trade back. So yeah round two is certainly the Chris Ballard like trade back range That's typically where he looks to move back I want to see I bet I would guarantee that he's moved off his spot in the second round Probably five six times in his eight years. It seems like that at least. Well, the differences in players that are on their board is so negligible that unless

Starting point is 00:07:53 there's a guy they are like hot on the collar to get, they're very willing to just move back for if they have a trade partner. Yeah, I actually believe in that Pierce year it was they like they kept liking three or four receivers that were on the board at the time They're like we'll just keep moving back and Pierce the guy they like the most out of them ended up being the guy who stayed There but some other notable comments he made about this draft class He says they have about a hundred fifty five to a hundred seventy five players on their overall draft board That's very normal if people aren't aware of that

Starting point is 00:08:21 Pretty much every team grades it that way. Once you get into that fifth round range, teams are basically taking players that they have UDFA grades on and they're just getting ahead of undrafted free agency at that point in the draft. So that's a very normal thing there. Let's see what else. He said that they prefer guys who test but it's not completely mandatory. I've always kind of had that with my Build a Ballard series where if a guy is healthy and they don't test the Colts are not a huge fan of that. They like to see some testing numbers on healthy players. I actually think I overrated that a little bit when I was talking about like Rock Bowers last year because Bowers didn't test. I don't think they value it as much with

Starting point is 00:08:58 the top guys but once they get to the nitty-gritty of like day two day three type guys and they have two guys up next to each other and one guy did all the tests and regardless that they were like super elite or just like above average, I think they would value that guy going out there and testing not to go on too long a spiel here, but Shaquille Leonard, I remember his combine was like sick and dealing with an injury and he came out there and put up just this putrid combine and everybody was saying like, this is a terrible athlete, horrible athlete, but for the Colts, they liked that he went out there and put up just this putrid combine and everybody was saying like this is a terrible athlete, horrible athlete, but for the Colts they liked that he went out there and competed despite not being 100% and it kind of was another thing that pushed them over the top to take him in round two. Yeah absolutely I'm actually the one that asked that question today

Starting point is 00:09:39 about like guys who don't test and how do you rely on the GPS and the zebra technology stuff? And he, he answered that pretty passionately as in like, they really want guys who go out there and compete and want to test. Like you mentioned, first round guys know their first round guys, but like if you're somewhere in the top, like 50 to a hundred, why are you not trying to separate yourself with athletic testing? Like, so they're going to, he said they're going to get those numbers regardless. It's just a matter of like, you know, how are you going to make us get them?

Starting point is 00:10:12 Like, are you going to work out for us this and that? So, uh, no, they definitely want that. Another one, they, they also want players, uh, with character instincts and processing and athletic talent, which is like obvious, but Chad asked like, when you have guys that you've just totally missed on what's the common denominator, and it seems like they've fluctuated on what they're willing to deal with before. And those are just some things

Starting point is 00:10:39 that are gonna become non-negotiables for them moving forward. Cool, yeah, like football character, I think was something he mentioned there. Yeah, they do care about football. That moving forward. Cool. Yeah, like football character, I think was something he mentioned. Yeah, they do care about football. That's what they mean by this, the football care, the work ethic and practice habits, stuff like that. Yeah. So that's what the interview process is for. And hopefully they can, you know, pick through that a little bit more this year. But coming up, guys,

Starting point is 00:10:59 Chris Ballard also had some things to say about this current roster, players on the roster, roster moves that they've made. So we're going to break that all down here in just a second. Did you know that your fire TV is also an Xbox turn any TV into your gaming and entertainment hub with fire TV stick for a devices? No console is required. Just grab your paired controller subscriber sign into Xbox game pass ultimate with EA Play included and you're ready to play. Dive into hundreds of premium titles from EA Sports College Football 25 to Call of Duty Black Ops 6 and Avowed.

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Starting point is 00:12:25 Fire TV stick 4K second gen Fire TV stick 4K Max first and second gen and Fire TV cube third gen. All right, Zach. So Chris Bauer did talk about the current state of the roster right now and nothing is ever more important than the quarterback position. A hot little topic they've got going there, Anthony Richardson versus Daniel Jones. Don't know if you're privy to all that that's going on lately. But no, Chris did say that he's talked to Anthony's trainer, Tom Gormley recently

Starting point is 00:12:57 and came away like really encouraged with how Richardson has been doing. Again, because this is his first normal off season, like two off seasons ago, he's training for the combine and being the biggest freak athlete quarterback they've ever seen and being drafted, yada, yada. Last year he was nursing a shoulder surgery, which we've all seen that movie before. It's not pretty.

Starting point is 00:13:18 And so now he just gets a normal off season. And so they've come away really encouraged with that, but it led to some really interesting comments about the quarterback competition in general. So they do continue to say the right things as if like, this is just a totally clean slate at quarterback. And what Anthony's done before doesn't matter what Jones has done before doesn't matter. It's like they've acquired two new quarterbacks, and it's starting from zero. That's what they're making it seem like. They, he used the phrase don't start with an end in mind. So they just want to let this entire thing shake out. But I thought the weirdest comment he made perhaps today in general was he said, if I'm a betting man, I mean, at some point, both of them will help us.

Starting point is 00:14:06 Yeah. And it's like that, you don't, you shouldn't have two quarterbacks helping you. And he, I don't think he meant like, Daniel Jones is gonna be great in the quarterback room on film or something like, you're not supposed to have two quarterbacks help you. So I'm like, what are we doing here?

Starting point is 00:14:23 It might've been just him being too honest here. But look, he said, if I'm a betting man, they're both going to help us. You're completely true, because if you're going to bet on the best odds this season, both these quarterbacks are going to take starting snaps for the Colts. And I say this because because Anthony just can't stay healthy at this point. So best thing ever would be Anthony being great and not getting hurt whatsoever at this point. So best thing ever would be Anthony being great and not getting hurt whatsoever at this point, but we haven't yet to see him stay healthy for what longer than four or five games in a row in the NFL. So maybe that was, I know Ballard's trying to play up like

Starting point is 00:14:55 the QB competition with that comment, right? And he was trying to allude to it being like, yeah, if I'm a betting man, either one of these, just so he's not committing to one of them. But honestly, if you're a betting man, one of these just so he's not committing to one of them but honestly if you're a betting man that's the safe bet that both these guys will start games this year because There's no reason to think that Richardson can stay healthy and honestly There's no reason to think that Daniel Jones can keep a quarterback job for the whole season He's been benched or been hurt the last couple years as well So yeah odds are both these guys are gonna start games

Starting point is 00:15:21 So maybe it was a little bit like he I know he was trying to keep the illusion of the QB competition and like no one has a leg up and all that. But he kind of gave us a peek into the back into the back room by being like, yeah, someone I mean, these guys are going to get hurt. They're always hurt. Both of them. So yeah, like just to be a little candid here. It's like, yeah, I mean, of course they're both going to help them hopefully win games

Starting point is 00:15:42 this year because they're both going to be starting quarterbacks for multiple games by all accounts this season. Yeah, again, that's that's just such a not ideal quarter. Yes, the situation, right? Right. It's like that is the the most underspoken thing of this whole thing is it's a quarterback competition and performance and being the starter because you have to have one. But injuries is such an underlying part of it. And it's like, again, even if you have one guy that knocks it out of the park, history says they're going to get hurt. Yeah. When it comes to these guys that yeah, which then led into Chris talking about drafting quarterbacks. Yeah.

Starting point is 00:16:26 You know, certainly they have been in the mid to late round market on guys like Quinn Ures and Max Brosmer and Chuck. Like they've they've kind of kicked the tires on several of those non top guys. And we just talked about Sjoer Sanders the other day, which there has been no concrete link between the two. But Chris was asked, hypothetically, you don't have a settled quarterback situation.

Starting point is 00:16:55 So could you see first or second round? Now he kind of kicked that away, but at the same time was like, if there's someone who we feel is the best fit for the Colts, then why wouldn't we? So, well, certainly first or second round probably isn't going to happen. He's left the door open there for it to be really any time

Starting point is 00:17:18 that they address quarterback in the draft. Yeah, they've always operated this way, though. I mean, I remember during when Andrew Luck, and I think he mentioned this today, too, but when Andrew Luck was the quarterback, they brought in. Jammer harnished round seven, Mr. Irrelevant. Yeah, but they also brought in even like top 100 quarterbacks to be interviewed and stuff. And I remember we were all being like, why are you bringing in that guy when you have Andrew Luck? And then Andrew Luck suddenly retires and it becomes a more pressing thing. retires and it becomes a more pressing thing. But yeah, they've always operated. I think Ballard had a good comment saying like a lot of these interviews are for guys after their

Starting point is 00:17:48 first contract, just so you have like a file on these guys. Like this is how they interview because look, not every top 30 visit is going to be about right now because you're not really just scouting these guys just for tomorrow. You're scouting these guys for their careers in the NFL. So I do think part of it is just for down the road. I certainly think they're taking a quarterback day three in this class, but I wouldn't look too much into like the Shuck and the yours interviews as like they're taking one on day two. I think they do do their due diligence here.

Starting point is 00:18:17 I mean, I don't know if Shuck makes it to a second contract. He's already 45, but we'll see if, if other guys can get there. Yeah, we, we know they're not really willing to like go down the Philip River second contract thing. Joe Flacco second contract. They are the retirement home. Chuck certainly fits that. No, you you are right. And I mean, Chris even said that like a lot of this is for down the road and he mentioned, you know, examples of like quarterbacks turning them down for pre-draft visits because, you know,

Starting point is 00:18:47 they're not gonna be in range. And it's like, buddy, you don't know what it's gonna look like three or four years down the road. So I like, well, I do think they have interest in guys this year. They also legitimately need to do research on these guys for the future because quarterback above every other position is the one you need to know the most about these guys

Starting point is 00:19:09 when you bring them in into your building because you're gonna entrust an entire side of the football with them. So yeah quarterback That's that's always interesting. We'll see how things turn out these next few days But linebacker was another one. I get the feeling that the starting linebackers are definitely going to be Zyra Franklin and Jalen Carlis. Um, they just, he really made it seem like they liked the way they add linebackers. And traditionally that's not been early. I mean, Shaq Leonard was, was top of the second round. Bobby O'Carrakay was third round, but you know,

Starting point is 00:19:43 he mentioned examples of like day three guys that they have drafted and developed and he made it seem like, you know, best player available of course if something falls in their lap, but they have no urgency to like reach on linebackers. We kind of thought that moving into it and he kind of affirmed it today. Yeah, I think it'll be a day three linebacker pick after his comments today, you know, guys like Kane Modrano, Teddy Buchanan, Shmelle Martin Jr. If he's there Kaiser, Jack Kaiser makes a lot of sense too. So I think it'll be like around four to five linebacker pick for the Colts and then that guy will be competing with Carliseman Carliseman healthy right

Starting point is 00:20:19 now. So, you know, that guy will get a lot of like the summer work until Carlis is good to go. But you know, you always want to keep adding to the linebacker room, but Ballard has a good track record on day three. So I'm not too concerned when it comes to like, you know, shooting down our Jahad Campbell dream, I guess in round one. But aside from that, I'm not too concerned with whatever linebacker takes day three, because he's got a good track record there. Yeah, I do. I did see a lot of people say the Jahad Campbell dream is dead, which it very well may be. But when you combine the fact that linebacker is arguably

Starting point is 00:20:52 the position they're most confident in drafting on day three and getting playable guys there, and the fact that he's got the shoulder, he's just maybe not super high on the list. But yeah, and then you mentioned Carlize with the injury Ballard, you know later begrudgingly admitting that Carlize did have a shoulder surgery, but he's supposed to be ready for camp but The offseason stuff I imagine it'll be someone else and he did specifically say Competition and depth so we didn't make it sound like it's a position that really hurting to address but like

Starting point is 00:21:27 So much of your special teams is wrapped up in in linebackers So I think that's that's probably what they're looking at. So, yeah Yeah coming up guys You had your thoughts on what Ballard had to say as well as you always do because Chris Ballard is so very well loved in The fan base. So we'll kind of look at the common themes and what you guys said and kind of react to that a little bit. The Armada player of the week is brought to you by our friends at Nissan and the all new 2025 Nissan Armada. Each week we've been taking a look at our draft prospects and pick one guy that stands apart. We've been picking someone different each week. draft prospects and pick one guy that stands apart. We've been picking someone different each week.

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Starting point is 00:22:31 think Loveland can do here in this Colts offense. It's clear that our Player of the Week is out here, ready to conquer the road ahead with confidence, just like you can in the all-new Nissan Armada, or any of their outstanding vehicles. Take the Nissan Armada, Rogue or Pathfinder and go find your next big adventure. Shop nissanusa.com. All right, so what did you guys have to say about Chris Ballard's presser today? About 30 minutes, you know, a few days before the draft.

Starting point is 00:22:59 Common things, you know, sifting through the smoke screen, he's BSing, why does he still have a job? There was a little bit of substance there and I'm with you guys on a lot of these. I think trading back in round one is a very very strong possibility. A lot of you seem to think if the tight end isn't there, a trade back is likely and if it's not a tight end in round one that it's almost certainly an offensive or defense lineman

Starting point is 00:23:26 Yeah, I mean I can agree that if it's not a tight end in round one, they'll go o-line or d-line I just there was nothing today that led me to think that it's not going to be a tight end in round one Right. I just I don't know. Maybe i'm fully convinced here There are i'll mention it when we when we go through round one offensive lineman They could target that there are two guys. I think that could sway them a little bit but outside of those two I just don't see a route here You know like I look at the defensive lineman. I think Donovan as a rock who is very much his type I don't think that's his type at 14 though I think that would be more of his type where he took like quiddy pay years ago like in the late first

Starting point is 00:24:02 So maybe if they move back that far, they'd be interested there. But outside of that, like, I think they're gonna have one of their tight ends there at 14, like I'd be shocked if both of Warren and Loveland are gone by 14. I certainly think one of them could be gone. I don't think both of them are gonna be gone. And then I think they're just gonna ultimately take

Starting point is 00:24:22 whoever of those two is there at 14. that's still my guess heading into the draft, but You know I I'm curious that how you guys came to some of these Like BPA and round one tight end round one is not a lock because for me that this presser didn't really do much For me in terms of saying that's not gonna happen I know he tried to put water on it, but we kind of addressed that in the top of the show It's like I wasn't really buying too much of it there, you know? Yeah. All right. So here's what we're going to do, though.

Starting point is 00:24:49 So obviously we know the tight end options. So your favorite slash most realistic offensive line and then defensive line options. So let's just say, well, you know, things have gotten a bit mixed up in terms of who's going to be there. So like who's to say what's realistic other than like Will Campbell and Armand Memo are probably not there. I think everyone else is fair game when it comes to offensive lineman. So like who do you think would be most likely for the Colts if it's not a tight end?

Starting point is 00:25:18 Yeah, I will say when so the two guys I was going to mention who are if they don't go tight end at 14 are offensive lineman Kelvin Banks from Texas and Tyler Booker from Alabama. Booker mostly we talked about this a couple of times on the show from my understanding across the league is offensive line coaches are just in love with this man. They think he was by far and away the best interview at the combine among all offensive linemen and the Colts very much value what Spirano thinks after the interview. So if that stands true for the way that most of the line coaches are talking about Tyler Booker, I do think the Colts are going to be high on him because I don't think he's going to make it to round two like some of these mock drafts. I think his floor is probably Houston towards the end of round one. So we'll see there. Then Kelvin Banks, I just can't shake the feeling of Kelvin Banks.

Starting point is 00:26:03 Maybe it's because I missed on lot two last year and it surprised me a little bit. So maybe I'm overcompensating by trying to find like one that scares me a little bit for round one. But like Kelvin Banks is their exact size archetype, has the tackle background that's going to move inside the guard. He's been dominating since he was 18 years old. He's a multiple time All American in college. He won multiple awards last year. He's only again, he's only 20 years old. So like, I can't shake this feeling that they might be very high on Kelvin Banks as their next right guard. And it would fill an immediate need. So I will, I will put this out here right now. If

Starting point is 00:26:41 they don't go one of those tight ends, I do it would be Kelvin Banks like that would be the lot to pick for me Compared to like last year where the position makes sense, but the player didn't technically make sense to me So I'm bracing myself for that but outside of those guys I would be shocked if any other offensive lineman was their guy at 14 like Zabel It's probably more of a center So I just don't really see them taking him there at that spot And then the tackles are more so guys who have to just be tackles at the NFL So banks and Booker are kind of the two guys. I'm really looking at there at 14 if they go offensive line

Starting point is 00:27:15 that's what I'm thinking too because I'm looking at some of this and in terms of guys who have the correct value at 14, I want to say correct but Other than that if it's an offensive lineman, you probably had to trade down a little bit. Like Josh, Connerly is not someone I would be thrilled if they took, but like bottom of the first would match. Graze Abel is more of a twenties guy. Um, Donovan Jackson and Tate Ratledge, like Ratledge has been getting some first round buzz, but it's gotta be bottom of the first. Yeah, Donovan Jackson, I think when you look anywhere in the 20s and lower, it is fine. And I think he would he would fit pretty well. Rattlage, we both love him.

Starting point is 00:27:54 We both think he fits really well. But just like within a couple of weeks ago, we were talking about third round for him. The history is so expansive, though, and like he's not going around one. I'd be so shocked if he went around because he's an older like I think he's. Is either five or six year college guy and I don't think he's played through a whole season healthy yet he's coming off a year where he missed six games with injuries and it's all leg injuries too. So I can't see him going around one super athlete. Awesome player. I head over heels with him at pick 45, but I can't see around one for Tate Ratledge. Now real quick, let's let's go ahead to the defensive line

Starting point is 00:28:32 before we hop off here and I'm going to go full circle with this because a guy I was talking about like back in January at the Senior Bowl. He was my first round pick for the Colts in the first mock draft I did and I wouldn't be shocked if he's going there because I think he's going to go around this range as Walter Nolan from Ole Miss. Yeah, there are differing opinions on him in terms of I've heard like entitlement and just general like character and stuff. And I've talked to him in person like I like, I get that his personality like might not be for everybody. I like I came away with fine with him, but like not everybody is kind of equipped to

Starting point is 00:29:13 deal with every type of personality. So of course, you know, guys like him, I don't want to say like, she were Sanders as well. But like those guys who are super confident are not going to be for everybody. Um, but I think Chris is, is willing, is one of those guys willing to, you know, be accepting of those. And when you look at them as a player, the Colts need something beyond a forest buckler and Grover Stewart. Again, they're both can be 31 this season and they just have lacked true depth there in the middle that, so you say banks, that'll be your surprising one.

Starting point is 00:29:46 I'll say Nolan, because no one's been mocking that. But I think it makes a ton of sense. My thing with Nolan in round one to the Colts is they've never really taken a guy with personality questions in the first round before. You think about the guys they've taken high, you know, Anthony Quinton, Quiddy, Quiddity. Yeah. Yeah. Last year, Law, too. Law, too, was a shocking pick. But like the personality lined up right now.

Starting point is 00:30:13 And I think the biggest question with him is he's been if you go back to high school, he's been to like six different schools last eight years. And a lot of them have been like the school that he's leaving has been like, OK, cool. Like, right. You know, have fun at your next school. That's leaving has been like, OK, cool. Like, all right. You know, have fun at your next school. That's cool. That's good with us. There was a whole thing with the Texas A&M Collective as well with the NIL stuff. So there was there was a lot behind the scenes with him.

Starting point is 00:30:35 Maybe he's matured in the last year. So like, I don't know him personally. So I hate talking about players on like a podcast form like that. But he would shock me for the Colts in the top 20. The talent is awesome. Talent is great. But defensive tackle, it's tough to say in the top 20 because like Kenneth Grant doesn't really give you the pass rushing juice of the Colts would need to take a guy that high. I love Derek Harmon, but apparently there's some injury concerns there that will knock him into the late first round range.

Starting point is 00:31:04 And then I guess you go to to edge, really the only clean personality there is Donovan Ezraku and I love him. I would take him at 14, honestly, but I don't know if the Colts would take that archetype at 14. I think that'd be more of a late first round. And if you look at the other edge rushers in that range, there's some off field, there's some character, there's some football character concerns with some of them too. So D-line is really hard for me to project in round one for the Colts because I just don't see like O-line.

Starting point is 00:31:32 I see the fits Kelvin Banks. I see the fit like it makes sense and all around a trophy winner, multiple trophy winner like makes a ton of sense for me. D-line. I just don't see the guy that I can slot there at 14. And maybe they trade back. Like they'd be comfortable with like a Nolan in the twenties or an Ezra rock in the twenties. But outside of that, I can't see a D line at 14 in this draft. Michael Williams is interesting too, because apparently the workout didn't go much, the private workout didn't go much better than the pro day.

Starting point is 00:32:02 Yeah. And if it's an ankle, if it truly is the ankle still bothering him, well, that happened in the fall. That's that's the long term thing, homie. Like, that's not good. Right. So as alluring as the name of Michael Williams is that one, he might be there when the Colts pick, but they might not be for it, you know? Yeah, defense aligns just tough in this one. Like, look, I love project trenches to Chris Ballard in round one because he loves the trenches early in the draft.

Starting point is 00:32:33 But I just think that the most logical scenario for this team and what they need going forward. And again, this isn't what I would personally do, but I think logical for what they're looking for is one of those tight ends early and then all trenches on day two like moving back Taking trenches at different tiers and just rolling with that and then we had a question about day three linebackers just real quick I think guys like Kate Medrano Teddy Buchanan Jack Kaiser Schmalmond if he's there There's like ten other linebackers Aaron Aaron Smith. I think from South Carolina State's like a legit like deep day three guy There's a lot of guys on day three.

Starting point is 00:33:05 I think the Colts are going to like, so they'll find their guy. They'll find their day three linebacker. I'm not concerned there. I'm more concerned about the first three rounds of what they're going to find there. But we have the rest of the week to talk about that. So thank you guys for making locked on culture first listen today. Now for your second listen, check out locked on NFL draft with Damian Parson and Keith Sanchez find locked on NFL draft on YouTube or wherever you

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Locked On Colts - Daily Podcast On The Indianapolis Colts - INDIANAPOLIS COLTS GM Chris Ballard Reveals Final Thoughts Before NFL Draft

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