Locked On Colts - Daily Podcast On The Indianapolis Colts - Indianapolis Colts: Latest Tea, Rumors, Buzz Following Quarterback Pro Days

Starting point is 00:00:00 We are a couple of quarterback pro days deep and it is time to start spilling the gossip. 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. All right, what's up everyone? Thanks 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. I am Jake Arthur, joined by Destin Adams today. You know the two of us from HorseshoeHuddle.com and Destin also

Starting point is 00:00:56 from the Saddle Up podcast with Shot and Destin over at Horseshoe Huddle. Today, the NFL draft now has the CJ Stroud and Bryce Young Pro Days in their back pocket. A couple more of the big ones left to go. But Destin and I were actually on site in Columbus at Ohio State for Stroud's Pro Day. And then Destin's co-host with their podcast, Shad, he was on site for Alabama today. Sorry, my brain totally zapped out at that point. So no, Dustin and I were at Ohio State yesterday. Shad was at Alabama today. So we're just going to kind of collect our thoughts,

Starting point is 00:01:37 let you guys know what we're thinking as far as where the quarterback hierarchy goes right now, and then just kind of some other nuggets of things we now think we think in terms of the NFL draft. So first up, Destin, Stroud's pro day yesterday went really well. The Carolina Panthers were out in full force. 11 people from their team were there on site. Frank Reich just looked like a proud papa, literally like taking cell phone videos of his son on the field. It looked like so.

Starting point is 00:02:13 What are you thinking? We're pretty comfortable saying C.J. Stroud might just be a Panther with the first pick coming up in April, right? Yeah, I mean, if Frank Reich has a say, that feels like who it'll be. I mean, Carolina's doing exactly what they're supposed to do. They sent 11 men to Alabama today as well. Had dinner with Bryce Young as well. Frank Reich made sure to have as many pictures taken with him and Bryce Young talking as well. So the Panthers did what they had to do

Starting point is 00:02:43 there. I think C.J. Stroud just makes more sense with Frank Reich. Now there's other things that could go into play there if someone else is making the decision. But I think CJ Stroud to Carolina, especially seeing it live, Frank just seemed like he was acting as if he was talking to his quarterback. Yeah, not for nothing, but Josh McCown, again, this could just all be a ruse. I don't think it is, but he was overheard after the pro day yesterday talking to Stroud,

Starting point is 00:03:12 mentioning, you know, we'll go find a basketball court once you live in Charlotte. So I don't think that's unnotable. I think that definitely means something. Of course, there's still a month and change left to go of studying for all these guys. But it just feels very right to connect Stroud to Carolina right now. Yeah, and everyone's assuming they're talking about a basketball court. That's possible. I would love to think that they're talking pickleball. I'd love to just imagine Josh McCown and CJ Stroud just going at it in a pickleball match.

Starting point is 00:03:44 But I did hear that. I think the part where I can't tell if he says it in that clip, you can hear almost all of it. It's the live part. I don't hear that specifically, but I think you could allude to it. But he does say we're going to have to find a court win. And then that's weird. So I'm assuming they're going to fly him out eventually as well.

Starting point is 00:04:06 So he could have said when you're in Charlotte. But, I mean, I don't know. I mean, it all seemed like being there in person yesterday, like I said, it just seemed like they looked very comfortable with C.J. Stroud. But who knows? I mean, we'll get to hear from Rashad a little bit in a while this week about what his thoughts were being there today. And he got to see all again, like I said, the Panthers did what they were supposed to do. And

Starting point is 00:04:29 they sent the exact same 11 that were in Columbus yesterday, all the way to Tuscaloosa to Alabama. Yeah. So of course, Bryce Young's pro day by all accounts went just as well as Stroud's, if not even a little better. Again, people keep harping on the size thing. It's not about the height. It is very much about the weight. I think a lot of people are on board with the height. They can get around it now. He's been small the whole time he's been a quarterback, so it's nothing new for him. It's about, is he going to play at that 200 plus that he measured in at the combine, or is he going to be closer to 175 or that he measured in at the combine or is going to be closer to one 75 or so one 80, like he was at Alabama.

Starting point is 00:05:09 Cause I mean, that that's what it's all about. You, you get, you take a sack from Grover Stewart and he lands on your shoulder. See, yeah, you know,

Starting point is 00:05:17 that, that could crunch him. That could put them out for a while. So it's very much the weight thing for me when it comes to Bryce young, but it also seems like if, if for me when it comes to Bryce Young but uh it also seems like if he's not the pick to Carolina I think the Texans would be ready to make a move there as well yeah I mean that that's been like the word just about the entire cycle is that the it's just like the worst kept secret in the NFL is the the Texans really like Bryce Young

Starting point is 00:05:43 um I I think Carolina if they do elect that CJ Stroud is the guyans really like Bryce Young. I think Carolina, if they do elect C.J. Stroud as the guy, I mean, they would be doing just a malpractice if they didn't attempt to sell that they loved Bryce Young too, just to see if you could entice Houston to give you anything of your package you just sent to get to one back. So I'm sure that's Carolina's wet dream would be for Houston to feel the need to trade up to one and then get a little bit of package back from what they just had to give up

Starting point is 00:06:09 and still get the quarterback that they were going to take at one no matter what. But I think when it's all said and done, what you just said is probably the likely outcome, Stroud and Carolina, Young and Houston. Yeah, and I mean, again, Bryce Young in Houston, D'Amico Ryans, another Alabama alum. I've heard that Ryans is a pretty big fan of, of Young as well. So where things really get interesting and it's really where the Colts could make their move. Number three, the Arizona Cardinals, they don't need a quarterback. Kyler Murray is recovering from an ACL, but there's really nothing out there to say that the Cardinals are going to go shopping for a quarterback. So, you know, that's going to be the prime spot,

Starting point is 00:06:50 whether it's the Colts potentially jumping up, there's teams like Seattle, Detroit, Las Vegas, Atlanta, Tennessee, Tampa Bay. Those are all potential teams that could eye that third spot, look for the future at quarterback and make a leap in front of the Colts. So how critical do you think it is that the Colts need to make a move up in order to get a quarterback? Because again, not everyone has the same quarterback rankings, but the Colts' top two quarterbacks that they have on the board could be gone by then, and who knows? Maybe they only like two or three quarterbacks yeah i mean so if you're asking me what i would do i think the colts should make the move to three now um just solidify it

Starting point is 00:07:32 don't let the dominoes fall because i think there is a crazy world where carolina the decision maker isn't frank reich and they take someone that's not named CJ Stroud. And they take a Bryce Young. They take an Anthony Richardson, like any of these things. And that's when that three pick, like once it's known who is available, that three pick is worth more. And I'm sure Arizona knows this as well. And probably a reason why they may want to wait if they're going to deal that.

Starting point is 00:08:02 But if I'm Indianapolis, I'm trying to entice them. I'm dangling Kenny Moore, who has a good relationship with Jonathan Gannon. They just had their center, Rodney Hudson, retire. You're probably going to dangle a Ryan Kelly over there as well. There's players that you can kind of fill some needs in Arizona now and get the swap done. And then you're just guaranteeing yourself one of the top three quarterbacks. And like you said, everyone's boards are different. I mean, I've heard at least three different teams have different QB1s. I mean, I've heard CJ Stroud be a team's QB1.

Starting point is 00:08:34 I've heard Bryce Young be a team's QB1. I've heard Anthony Richardson be a QB1. And then for Will Levis, I mean, I've heard him as high as QB2 on a team's board, and I've seen him as high as QB2 on a team's board, and I've seen him as low as QB4. The way that teams see these quarterbacks are very scheme-centric. They're very different depending on who you ask. We'll see how it falls. I don't think the Colts will.

Starting point is 00:08:58 I feel like the Colts feel very comfortable at four. I feel like that's the message that's being sent out. I feel like that's the vibe that's going around right now. I think the Colts feel comfortable at four. Should they? I don't know, but I guess we'll see come April. Yeah, I think I would definitely encourage them to move up as well. But just like you said, I think the Colts probably are comfortable with four because if they're able to land their quarterback

Starting point is 00:09:21 and they didn't have to give up assets to trade up to number three, then all the better. So let's say the Colts do stay there at four and the Cardinals stay there at three and pick Will Anderson or whoever. So you've got Richardson and Will Levis there. Who do you think the Colts would make their move for? I mean, I'm going to stick with Anthony Richardson. I mean, everything I've heard from a little bit of league sources as well as somebody in the building in Indianapolis, I think they have done a lot of homework on Anthony Richardson even before the combine blowup that everyone has experienced.

Starting point is 00:09:55 I think they see a lot of potential there. So I think they see him in a high light, and I don't think they look at Will Levis in a negative light. I've just heard more positive things from people I've asked about Anthony Richardson and the Colts. So I think they would go Anthony Richardson if he is on the board. I'm not on the team though, that if a death con five happens in Colts fans minds and a Vegas or a

Starting point is 00:10:19 Seattle or all these other teams that could trade up, jump them to three and they take Anthony Richardson. I think the Colts, like I said earlier, are comfortable at four, and I still think they would take Will Levis. Yeah, I definitely see them favoring Richardson more because he just seems like so much of a Chris Ballard prospect. A little raw, probably not as raw as people think. He just doesn't have much experience playing at this high level. Only a handful of

Starting point is 00:10:46 starts, of course. But just incredibly athletic with just so much room to grow. And Ballard just loves to get those guys who are the big potential guys with a ton of athleticism so that they can mold them into the type of player they want. And that's not really to, to throw down at Will Levis. Cause like, he's a fine prospect as well. He just happens to probably be the fourth among these top four, but still worthy of a first round pick. Yeah. I mean, I agree. I mean, if you look just to last year, if Will Levis comes out last year, he's probably in position where he's the first quarterback drafted last year. I think he has more traits that would have excited teams more than a Kenny Pickett. And he wouldn't have had this last year where he lost his offensive coordinator and had

Starting point is 00:11:33 to run a little bit of a different offense, to say different to be the nice word, to call it, at Kentucky. But if he comes out last year, I think he's seen in a more highlight by the Twitter crowd. So we wouldn't see as much of the negative fuel that's behind a Levis. And I know a little bit of his cringy moments fuel into that as well. But yeah, I mean, looking to last year, like I said, I think he would have been QB one last year. I think he would have been a first round quarterback last year. And I think he's a first round quarterback this year, whether it's at four, or he falls a little bit because the needed quarterback kind of falls off a little bit after that.

Starting point is 00:12:08 Like we'll see. But I think he is a bonafide first round pick. Yeah. I mean, if that's, if that's who the Colts end up with, they, they certainly could do a lot worse.

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Starting point is 00:13:43 and pick up a box while you're there. You can vote every day in March, so hop in and support your pick. All right. With that said, we kind of mentioned a little bit the Colts Twitter crowd and some things that tend to get them stirred up. One such thing is Ohio State players. A lot of Colts fans are big scout the helmet type of analysts there. And in recent memory, the Colts have brought in Malik Hooker in 2017, Tyquan Lewis the year after, Paris Campbell the year after that. The big gripe people have is these guys are always hurt, which those players, yes, to their credit, they got hurt a lot. They weren't necessarily injured, banged up players before, but it's really soured a lot

Starting point is 00:14:29 of Colts fans on Ohio State players. But you and I were there yesterday, and there's a real possibility that more Buckeyes are going to be coming to the Colts this year. We don't know exactly who yet, but you and I have a pretty good gauge on some guys that they might be interested in. Dustin, what did you pick up from our time there in Columbus yesterday? Yeah, I mean, I'll start with a guy that I think already just seemed like a good fit because of the athleticism and size. But seeing him in person, he just oozes a Chris Bauer to Ed Drescher. Zach Harrison, very impressive in person, is a humongous individual.

Starting point is 00:15:07 You buy in a little bit when you're there, like, oh yeah, I bet he can play anywhere on the defensive line. Big, long defensive end, is going to be able to play as an edge, he's going to be able to play on the interior, and I think he just showed a little bit of what he showed at the combine. He still didn't test the 40 like he didn't do it at the combine, think he just showed a little bit of what he showed at the combine he still didn't test the 40 like he didn't do it at the combine um so he kept that a little bit to himself but i think when you watch him on tape and you see him in person i don't think any team is wondering if he is fast enough for the position um he he showed off his strength when he needed to yesterday so i think zach harrison was very impressive And we got to see the Colts lone representative moving around a little bit throughout the day.

Starting point is 00:15:47 And I will say when the defensive line was up, I saw Lacey himself, area scout Mike Lacey, move in good enough position to be in the front to watch the defensive lineman put on his drills. Yeah, I've got no concerns about what 40rison would have run or any of his athleticism because that guy was was moving yesterday a lot of tenacity just oozed athleticism and power you know like that 10 yard split which is a big thing the colts worry about with those edge rushers and you know the vertical things like that i'm not worried about that he's plenty of it he's plenty explosive he's long he's got great size. He's chiseled too. It didn't look like there was an ounce of fat on the guy. So

Starting point is 00:16:29 that definitely looks like a day two edge rusher for Chris Ballard to me for sure. For sure. And then someone else that was there, but didn't work out offensive tackle DeJuan Jones. So the Colts had him for a top 30 visit already. I don't know if it's just scheduled or it already happened, but that's something you actually wrote up not too long ago. So we know the interest is there, and we actually saw Lacey talking with Jones and his family after the pro day. So that seems pretty legit.

Starting point is 00:17:01 Let's just say there's interest there. Yeah, I mean, it definitely seems like it. I mean, DeJuan Jones, I think he's raised his stock. I mean, he had a really good first day at the senior bowl ends up having concussion like symptoms when he woke up for day two was cleared of a concussion, but after the scare just decided to kind of stay out and had a good enough first day that I don't think he felt like he needed any more practice reps. There goes to the combine doesn't test athletically in certain areas, but

Starting point is 00:17:31 is there, gets his size measurements and gets a little bit of the athleticism drills in. And I think he was already looked at after all these things as a fringe first round guy, most likely a second round guy. And I don't think he was going to raise anything at his pro day. So I don't blame the guy for not doing drills. I mean, I've seen some people on Twitter throwing around the, like if they're scared to compete type things. And I think the memes are funny. Don't get me wrong.

Starting point is 00:18:00 But I don't think DeJuan Jones is the guy I'm worried about because he didn't perform at his pro day. And, I mean, like Jake said, we did get a witness, the area scout Mike Lacey go up to DeJuan Jones and his family, and they looked familiar with each other. That's all I'll say. Yeah, no doubt. Yeah, so there's been a lot of buzz about him going, you know,

Starting point is 00:18:21 later in the first round, second round. The Colts are there at 35. That makes a lot of sense. My only question is the guy is enormous. The Colts have a right tackle. The Colts seemingly have a left tackle. If Jones goes to the Colts, what do you do with him? Do you try him at right guard with Fries? Do you try him at right tackle and see what Braden Smith can do inside again at right guard? That was a small transition last year.

Starting point is 00:18:49 Do you move him to left tackle and then move Ryman to right guard? Like what, what do you think you would do with them? Yeah. So this was a kind of conversation. A few of us that were out there at Ohio state, we're talking about with each other. I think my opinion is for the Colts, no matter who you draft, you got to get the best five on the field

Starting point is 00:19:05 when that rookie quarterback is there as well. When I look at DeJuan Jones and when I have scouted him personally, I see him as a tackle. I feel like if you move him inside, I think some of the issues with movement and trying to pull him at times is going to come into play. That will be an issue. The normal reason that you would move a guy of his size in is because he struggles in the past pro area because of speed rushers.

Starting point is 00:19:31 DeJuan Jones didn't struggle in past pro at Ohio state against big 10 defenders, multiple D one, I mean, multiple first round guys that are going to come into this draft that DeJuan Jones has played over the last couple of seasons. And he allowed one sack over the last two seasons. So I don't think DeJuan Jones is a guy that needs to move inside. But I will say that I know of at least two NFL teams that I've heard that have him as a guard on their board.

Starting point is 00:19:58 So this is a conversation that is being had amongst NFL teams. Yeah, for sure. So man, him, him, Zach Harrison, that it leaves a lot, it leaves a lot to wonder what the Colts could do on day three, if they even try and package things and move up again or acquire more or more day two picks. I mean, not day three, but God, we know that how they feel about the Buckeyes and they have they have some guys there on day two that make a lot of sense so I'll put you on the spot real quick this is something that

Starting point is 00:20:31 I think just emotionally hurts Zach too much to talk about but it there it's a conversation that has to be had so we discussed kind of the the how things could ladder out at the top of the draft let's say the core the Colts don't pick a quarterback at four. Let's say there's nothing that says they like all four of the guys enough to take them. And so let's just say their guy is not there at four. Yeah, I mean, that is, I understand why zach hates that question um i do um i mean i think the first step would definitely be if chris boward has a reason to trade back he's going to trade back um if you give you give the man the chance you give the man the option

Starting point is 00:21:22 so i think a trade back is probably the first one. And when you're trading back from four, like you could pretty solidly get a really good package, especially if someone behind you likes that fourth quarterback that's still there. There's an option of you getting a first the following year, depending on how far you're willing to fall back. So that's probably where they would start.

Starting point is 00:21:43 And then probably a best player available situation. I mean, there's multiple linemen at the top of this draft they could look at, multiple edge rushers. And who knows how far Jalen Carter falls. And I understand there's not a very big need there, but when you go best player available because of how bad we were this last year, you have to just go best player. A few receivers that you could mention. I mean, we got to see Smith, JSN here from Ohio State this last yesterday. He's a guy that I think has submitted himself going high as well and has that Ohio State helmet that Twitter doesn't like,

Starting point is 00:22:26 but Chris Ballard seems to like yeah so let's just say you know I think at this point of the draft there are certain players and it's kind of like this every year you just assume the Colts are not going to be in the market form because they're going in a totally different direction is there anyone there around you know the first dozen or so picks who's not a quarterback that you would think makes a lot of sense for the Colts? Oh yeah. I mean, I didn't mention it earlier cause I don't want to get my hopes up, but the corners at the top of this class, I mean,

Starting point is 00:22:56 there's a huge need for Colts at corner. Corner is my favorite position to scout personally. Just all the ins and outs of it. I mean, Christian Gonzalez from Oregon, super athletic and the kind of guy that you want to bet on that early if you're going to go a guy like that. I think Devin Witherspoon's a guy who's really aggressive and is going to be fun at the next level as well. I don't know if he fits the Colts as much as Gonzalez does, but lots of really fun corners at the top of this class. I mean, Joey Porter, Jr. Um, father, Joey Porter, obviously, um, a guy who is also going to be a lot of fun in this

Starting point is 00:23:31 class, but I think Christian Gonzalez is the name I'll, I'll roll with that. He does. It doesn't seem like it's possible at all. Um, but if the Colts decided to go your route, Jake, um, which is going to be called Twitter's depression, and they do not take a quarterback. I mean, Christian Gonzalez, after a tradeback, the corner lover in me would still be upset that we didn't draft a quarterback, but how would I not smile? Right, exactly.

Starting point is 00:24:04 No, I think Gonzalez makes too much sense he looks like a chris ballard corner through and through um yeah you're looking at tyree wilson we don't know what i mean in this scenario i guess will anderson could potentially be available as well uh so there's there's some intriguing names there but it's just one of those things you haven't even you haven't even given it much thought because it's like okay obviously the colts aren't taking them, but yeah, it's, it's going to be crazy. But the fun thing is we have another month and change to twirl all these scenarios.

Starting point is 00:24:31 It's not over yet. The wait is not over. No, absolutely not. So we're going to wrap up shortly, but let me talk to you guys about FanDuel real quick first. So the tournament is heating up, you know, we're a couple rounds through. Things are getting real. And now it's the perfect time to download the FanDuel, which is America's number one sportsbook.

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Starting point is 00:25:22 So don't miss the chance to get your no- first bet up to $1,000 in bonus bets. When you go to FanDuel.com slash locked on that's FanDuel.com slash locked on to learn more, make every moment more with FanDuel and official sports betting partner of the NBA. Okay. So that was a mouthful. And on that note, that is it for for us today we'll be back with you guys next week we're going to keep diving into all this draft stuff maybe the colts will continue getting a little active in free agency their latest move isaiah mckenzie wide receiver

Starting point is 00:25:57 previously from the bill zach broke that down the other day the biggest thing for us with locked on in horseshoe h Huddle right now, we are on the pro day circuit, everyone. Hopefully you've seen on Twitter, but basically I'll just give you a quick rundown where we're going to be coming up this Friday. So the day that you guys are listening to this, Dustin here is going to be at Kentucky watching Will Levis, and Andrew will also be up at Notre Dame.

Starting point is 00:26:27 And then on Monday, when pro days continue, Destin is hitting the road again, perhaps with our colleague Drake Wally over at Ball State. And then Tuesday, Destin, again, we're running this guy ragged. He's going to be down at Louisville. Wednesday shot is going to be back out as well. He's going to be at LSU. And then Wednesday, Zach will be out at Maryland.

Starting point is 00:26:52 And on Thursday, I will be out at Tennessee. I don't expect Hendon Hooker to work out or anything, but I'm sure he'll probably be there to talk to at the very least. They got a couple wide receivers worth looking at as well. So if you guys are enjoying draft content, we're going to have an enormous amount of it for you guys. Follow again at the Destin Adams on Twitter at locked on Colts at Jake Arthur, NFL and at Zach Hicks to also subscribe to locked on Colts on YouTube,

Starting point is 00:27:16 as well as horseshoe huddle on YouTube as well. We've got a couple of great podcasts, Destin and shot included in that. And then obviously we would love your guys ratings and reviews as well especially if you're enjoying the show only five star reviews please only the nice ones the bad ones let's filter those out yeah those can get a little ugly people people tend to misunderstand our former host and pin that kind of stuff on us so it's a new leaf new reviews let's do it uh and again thank you guys for making us. So it's a new leaf, new reviews. Let's do it.

Starting point is 00:27:48 And again, thank you guys for making us your first listen every day. Now make your second listen, Locked on NFL Scouting with the Draft Dudes. From free agency to the draft, salary cap management, and all that. Join NFL experts Kyle Krabs and Joe Marino as they take you through what it's like to build a successful NFL franchise every Monday through Friday, find locked on NFL scouting with the draft dudes, wherever you get your podcasts and on YouTube, part of the locked on podcast network, your team every day.

Starting point is 00:28:15 And in Zach's words, we will see you guys next week.

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Locked On Colts - Daily Podcast On The Indianapolis Colts - Indianapolis Colts: Latest Tea, Rumors, Buzz Following Quarterback Pro Days

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