Locked On Colts - Daily Podcast On The Indianapolis Colts - NFL Draft EXPERT Joins Show to Talk Indianapolis Colts Options in 2025 Draft

Episode Date: April 1, 2025

Ian Cummings of Pro Football Network joins today's show to dive into Tyler Warren, Jihaad Campbell, and several other top prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft for the Indianapolis Colts. The 2025 Indy Draft Guide is officially available for pre-orders! 225+ in-depth scouting reports, plus how each player fits the Indianapolis Colts. Pre-Order Now: https://draftguide.gumroad.com/l/indy25 Become a Locked On Colts insider! Ask your burning questions and get prompt answers from someone who's around the team every day! Get special access from the locker room, practice field, and press box! JOIN HERE! Find and follow Locked On Colts on your favorite podcast platforms:🎧 https://lockedonpodcasts.com/podcasts/locked-on-colts/📺YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLdpxJspi1hMh5HL7ExpWOQLocked On NFL League-Wide: Every Team, Fantasy, Draft & More🎧 https://lockedonpodcasts.com/podcasts/locked-on-nfl/ Follow Jake and Zach's written work on HorseshoeHuddle.com, and give them a follow on Twitter @JakeArthurNFL, @ZachHicks2, @LockedOnColts, and @ColtsOn_SI, as well on TikTok and Instagram! Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Right now, new customers can get TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS in BONUS BETS when your first FIVE DOLLAR BET WINS! Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!GametimeDownload the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONNBA for $20 off your first purchase. Terms apply. Download Gametime today. What time is it? Gametime.Monarch MoneyTake control of your finances with Monarch Money. Use code LOCKEDONNFL at monarchmoney.com for 50% off your first year.FanDuelRight now, new customers can get TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS in BONUS BETS when your first FIVE DOLLAR BET WINS! Download the app or head to FANDUEL.COM to get started. Bet with FanDuel—Official Partner of the NBA.FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as non-withdrawable free bets that expire in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)

The 2025 NFL draft is right around the corner, so I had to bring on one of my favorite draft experts to dish out all the info on the Colts top fits. 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. And today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Right now, new customers can get $200

in bonus bets if your first $5 bet wins. Hello everyone, my name is Zach Hicks, your resident film nerd of horseshoehuddle.com. And I'm joined today by one of my favorite draft experts in the industry and that is Ian Cummings over at Pro Football Network. You guys might not know him, but I've known Ian since we were in our early 20s, maybe late teens, honestly,

Ian at this point, and now I'm pushing 30. So I've known Ian for a long time. He's fantastic at what he does. I really love bringing him on the show here to dive into prospects. He hasn't been as active this year, but now that I see him really popping into that draft stuff, I knew I had to get him on to dish out some info

on the Colts best fits in this class. So today we're gonna talk about the usual suspects, but with this new insight here on the show. So we're gonna going to talk about the usual suspects, but with this new insight here on the show. So we're going to talk about some of the more underrated prospects, you know, the Damien Martinez types of smell Mundens, the Tate Ratledge guys, but then we're going to talk again about the usual suspects, the Carson Swessingers, the Jahad Campbells, and of course the Tyler Warrens. So Ian, I know you're not super active in the indie stratosphere of NFL and coverage because you're so deep into the draft stuff, but the Colts media and Colts fans

have been clamoring for Tyler Warren probably since like November of this past year. The second that it was announced that the Colts are getting the 14th overall selection that became everyone's favorite guy at 14. So I want to ask you, Ian, is Tyler Warren a guy for you that's worth the 14th overall pick or do you think he's kind of getting pushed up because this is a weaker draft at the top? I think he is worth the pick at 14 and he is a pretty high grade for me. He's my tight and one Colston. Loveland is right there with him for me.

I love both players. I think stylistically, they're a little different, but Tyler Warren is just, to me, he's so well-rounded. I mean, Loveland scores a little bit higher on the route running and the explosiveness just because I think Loveland's a little more fluid. I think the route tree is a little bit wider with him, but that's not a slight,

because Loveland is so versatile with that. I think Tyler Warren gives you that all-encompassing usage versatility, right? And that's kind of what we saw at Penn State, like they're doing Wildcat QB snaps with him, right, you know, and I think his main appeal at the NFL level is that you can use them as a big slot, you can use them in line off motions, right? He's got a pretty good route tree when it comes to 90 degree

outbreakers, right? He's got pretty good hip flexibility when it comes to making sharp diversions, pretty explosive outbreaks, too. But I think another thing that comes off of that too, is he does the little things so well. I mean, I think that goes overlooked when you're talking about Tyler Warren's tape, because you see him out muscling guys, just like out maneuvering them.

He's super physical. He's got that alpha mentality. We know that, but you can also see him stemming guys off the snap with the angle IQ, working DVs off balance and space, and then working up the scene at the catch point as well. Really good using late hands not just his body but also his body positioning to control guys so that you can make the optimal play at the catch. So and then

to be honest, on top of that too, he just he catches almost everything like he's got hands of steel. He's got incredible instincts too. So just a very reliable well rounded player that also has that kind of high upside explosive rack component that you want to see not like the most that not like elite accelerated capacity But when he gets when he can you know start to roll some steam in space He's tough to take down and he's gonna give you everything he's got when it comes to physicality So really well-rounded player with a lot of usage parameters and I think that

Versatility combined combined with the Reliability for me. That's what makes them that top end players. So at 14 I think it's a phenomenal fit and especially for the Indianapolis Colts having that kind of versatile You know glue guy in your offense where he can do anything that you need him to he can be that Target funnel and clutch situations. He can be a design rack threat a seam threat There's really nothing that's off the table for Tyler Warren. And that's what I love about his game. Yeah, for sure.

I think he's still my tight end one in the draft, even though at times I feel like I'm down on Tyler Warren compared to other people just because he's not the Brock Bowers type of prospect, but that's fine. You could still be a very good tight end prospect without being Brock Bowers. And I think like you mentioned with Tyler Warren, that versatility, you know, the Colts want to live in 11 personnel. They haven't been able to do that in Shane Steichen's time because their tight ends have been Mo Ali Cox, Drew Ogletree, Kylan Grant, and these very role specific tight ends. So Warren's a guy from day one who can step in and do it all and be your alpha tight end. And also, like you said, he catches everything.

He's just a ball winner. When the ball is in the air, he's going to win that 50-50 ball and turn it into an 80-20. And I'm curious for you as an evaluator, we always say this with wide receivers, don't put too much stock in the receivers that win the 50-50 balls because it's harder in the NFL. So how do you view that when it comes to a tight end like Tyler Warren, where maybe the separation isn't there compared to like a Colson Loveland. But when the ball arrives, he's coming down with it.

Yeah, it's a really unique conversation because a lot of his catches were kind of that type of deal where he does have a defender inside his frame. Right. And you want to balance how projectable is that. But then also, can we project off of other components of his game, right? I look at the route running, you know, I was, every time I watch him, I think to myself, I still think he's a little underrated as a route runner,

right, he's never gonna be a guy who shakes you out of your shoes, right, he's never gonna be that all encompassing route weapon like Colson Loveland is projected to be, but again, when you talk about footwork efficiency, right, you know, on those inbreakers, those out breakers, I really think he's pretty sufficient at pressing into breaks, hinging sharp direction changes,

and then the zone IQ to stem guys and explode into space. Like I think all of those components are there for him to be a really sufficient route runner at the next level, not an elite guy who's gonna route DBs and, you know, separate independently all the time and man against man coverage. But if you need a guy to beat zone looks up the scene to be off man looks up the scene to work over the middle of the field and make tough catches there on out routes to make little conversion catches. He's got all of those tools in his toolbox. So you know, not a guy who's going

to be that elite route running game changer x factor but a guy who has enough of a pretty high floor there in my opinion. And then he bridges it with all the other stuff, the elite catching instincts, the elite hands, the rack ability, and then he's a pretty good blocker too. I think he can continue to improve engaging his hands at the contact point. But when it comes to the want to the physical tools, those things are all there too. So I think that combined with usage versatility, you can line them up anywhere,

you can do anything you want with them. All of those things provide a pretty appealing failsafe as a prospect. Yeah, for sure. And moving on to another guy who maybe this is more of my manufacturing him to the Indianapolis Colts because if every media person saying Tyler Warren, the one guy that I've been stomping my feet for is Jahad Campbell from Alabama, a 20 year old linebacker prospect who rushed off the edge at times. You showed some good coverage ability who is this super high end athlete for me. Again in this class, it doesn't have many blue chippers. I know he's that linebacker and offball linebacker spot. So it's a position you don't typically want to take in round one.

But for me, he's a blue chip player. But Ian, what are your thoughts on Jahad Campbell? Am I a little bit too high on this guy or? Or am I justified for loving him like I do? I think you're justified. I really do. There are some player archetypes where you just kind of have to love it, right? And I think Jahad Campbell, I turned on the tape for him.

The first game I watched was the LSU game. And it was one of the reps that I saw of him in coverage that really won me over, because I knew he was a former edge recruit. I knew he had that kind of background. But he's over here, off man, as a big nickel defender against Kyron Lacey and he's routing him up on third down in man coverage using that short area quickness, you know, using that efficient plan drive technique and then he's disrupting at the catch point. All of those things that you want in that all encompassing linebacker show up for Jahad Campbell. He's incredibly explosive when he has a runway to get to the QB through the a gap. I mean, his long streets, his long strides, I don't know why I said streets, I can't talk to that. The long strides, they just chew up space, man. And you know, QBs, they can be they got to be terrified of him because he gets there in a blink, man, like

you take half a second, you pause for too long. And he is right there in your hip pocket and he's taking you down for the sack. I think, you know, on top of that, too, the closing speed when he has a runway, a lot of linebackers make their money as a blitzing threat, which is runways. This is a stunter, you know, taking advantage of space, but John Campbell can work around the edge. He can bend beneath the apex. He's got that cornering ability, pretty enticing flashes of speed to power.

And then working off of that with rip moves too. I think he can, can continue to improve his play strength strength when he as he works the NFL level. I think that's the big thing keeping him from being that elite pass rushing weapon from day one is this you got to get to NFL play strength. But aside from that, I really think you know, all of those components of their physical components and then having an understanding of how to win one on one. I think those are all there. The biggest red flag for me with Jahan Campbell

and it's not really a red flag because I think in run defense, he is a very good processor. I think he can, you know, sift through misdirection. I think he's pretty good tracking laterally and sifting through gaps. But when it comes to a take on technique at blocks, right? There are some times where he's a little more passive than I would want. You know, I want linebackers to be able to, you know, dish out contact to take control at the second level when it comes to linemen moving up.

And Jahad Campbell will be a little passive sometimes with his lighter frame as well. That can enable him to be directed off the snap and kind of move downfield. And then linemen can pave open lanes for runners. So I think run defense, just kind of managing and controlling the point. That's where he stands to improve. But if you want a guy who can play coverage, zone coverage, and then off man in the slot as well against tight ends and even bigger receivers, I mean, he's got that ability. He's fluid, he's agile, he's explosive, he's long, and really all the components are there for him

to be that potential blue chip linebacker if he can continue to improve his play strength and his take on techniques. So I like him a lot. He's a top 15 player for me right now. And I think for the Colts in particular, if you have a vision for him, he can be a really, really good player. Yeah, you know, part of that puzzle is Louie and Arumo coming in here to Indianapolis where Jermaine Pratt was rushing 150 snaps a year off the edge, not not really like rushing but on rundown snaps when they go to odd fronts, they're putting Jermaine Pratt off the edge. You can get those edge

snaps in here with Jahad Campbell. You can get him past rushing. You can get him in coverage. And again, only 20 years old. I am so intrigued by him at the next level. But coming up, guys, we're going to transition some day to targets that we have been talking about all offseason for the Colts in Mason, Taylor and Carson, Sweat and Juror. We're going to dive into those games real quick. But first, have you guys ever checked your bank account and wonder where did all my money go between dining out, online shopping and entertainment? It's easy to lose track.

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in the Colts draft. Again, you know these players, you love these players because I've been talking about them all draft season, but Ian here is is is on to put a pretty little bow on a lot of these prospects and either validate me or push back against me, but Ian's probably going to validate me. Again, I've known this guy for a long time. So we're going to talk about Mason Taylor now, the tight end out of LSU. So we talked about Tyler Warren in the first segment. Now that's the Colts ideal pick at 14. But if they miss out on a Tyler Warren or even miss out on Colston Loveland in round 1, Mason Taylor to me seems like the perfect guy on day 2 where you can still live in 11

personnel with him because he's a good enough blocker. Still only 20 years old, showed some pass catching prowess and again to me, my comp for him is Hunter Henry which is a guy who worked with Shane Stike in the past. So Ian what are your thoughts on Mason Taylor and do you think he can be you know a full-time starting tight end in the NFL? I do he's my tight end three right now and he'll probably be a top 50 player for me on my board when it's all said and done. I really like the you know the combination of upside but then also immediate utility that you get with him. And I think it's kind of a unique balance that you get, you know, looking at his LSU tape,

I think the route running, I think his route tree wasn't as expansive as it could have been with the skill set. But there are some of those plays where you see like if he's breaking a deep post out of the slot, right, where he's bending around the DB, right? One of the first things that you look at when you look at a prospect, for me, I know you, we were talking about before the pod, we both kind of noticed this really early on, is just how they move, right? It sounds simple, but like stride frequency,

bend, flexibility, explosion, all of those things, how easy does this prospect make it, just moving on the football field? And Mason Taylor makes it look really easy. I mean, he's kind of a short strider, but he's really flexible, really fluid, really explosive with those really energetic strides. And with that combination of ankle mobility, lower body flexibility, explosive capacity as an athlete, he can

accelerate out of brakes, he can bend through brakes without losing any speed. And then he's got pretty good malleability when it comes to really sharp transitions to on whip routes and digs and things like that. So, you know, I really think the skill set is there for an all encompassing route tree. And then he's got soft hands in the catch point. He's really good at adjusting getting his body in the right spot. He's a quiet catcher. That's kind of my turn for him. You know, he doesn't really make it too hard. You know, he's very efficient just getting where he needs to be getting the ball in his hands. And then he's really quick when it comes to adjusting his feet

for rack two. That's another thing I love about the safe, some tight ends, you know, they make an adjustment for the rack phase, they're a little plotting, it takes a little bit for them to get their hips around. Mason Taylor corrects his positioning and his hip alignment really effortlessly. And then he's working upfield. He's pretty good through contact, really just a three level threat as a tight end Which is which is odd you don't always expect a guy to be this well-rounded when it comes to receiving projection

Obviously a little bit of a projection when it comes to you know getting that full route tree But when I look at route owners at tight end I look at the building blocks. I look at the flexibility I look at the spatial IQ I look at the explosion and I really think Mason Taylor has all those things. The blocking is the biggest thing, I think, but even there, as you said, you know, he's willing, he has enough size and power, I think, for him, it's going to be the technique work, getting a little bit stronger from a play strength perspective. I think he's strong enough, I mean, to just talk about like human strength, but I think there's room for him to engage his lower body a little more when he's driving guys. I do think he can divert upright a little bit, which kind of inhibits his ability to generate power from his lower body,

but then also can allow other defenders to set the edge and cape it in. So, you know, I think continuing to refine that leverage game is going to be a big part of his development, his process as a blocker. But as a receiving threat, you talk about movement efficiency. You talk about soft hands. You talk about rack ability and receiving upside and route running upside. He's got all of those things. So top 50 player for me.

And if you're the Colts, you're looking at the valuation of the board. If you were to get Jahad Campbell in round one and Mason Taylor in round two, I would call that a victory for sure. Yeah, that's what we've been talking about on here. Actually, I think I contributed to my cohost Jake Arthur wrote article for Horseshoe Huddle today and he said, what would your dream first two rounds be?

And my dream first two rounds were Jahad Campbell and then Mason Taylor. But let's talk about the other potential dream first two rounds, and that's Tyler Warren at 14 and then Carson Swessinger in round two, who is a linebacker who's picking up a lot of steam throughout this draft cycle. A former walk-on I believe at UCLA didn't really get to see the field until this past year but when he did see the field looked like one of the best linebackers in all of college football. Played some really really great productive football last season and for a Colts team that's been looking for a coverage linebacker for, heck, since I've been covering the team,

you could argue since Shaquille Leonard had his unfortunate downfall due to injuries. What are you seeing with Carson Swessing? Do you see this this high end guy who's getting all the hype that he's getting this process? Yeah, you know, I was a really big fan of his tape. I, you know, I was getting to these guys, I'm working through top 10s for PFN right now. So I did a lot of offense last week, and I'm working through defense this week. And I managed to get this swesinger. God, that's gonna be so hard to say, man. I got to Carson today. I'll go with that. I still got to practice the pronunciation, man. It's crazy. But I got to Carson today. And looking at the tape, he I think out of the three linebackers that I watched

for this podcast, I think he's probably the most instinctive in the box. I think he's the guy who processes play flow differences really quickly and he can adapt very well as he's working at the ball. I think he's explosive, confident, coming downhill, but he has a good mix of patience and decisiveness. He's not a guy who's going to overrun things too often.

You know, he uses blocking looks to diagnose where the gap is that the runner is going to go to. And then he flows to it with rapid speed. I mean, he's one of those guys where processing and play pace really come together. And that's what I love about his game in coverage as well. I think in zone, he's really fleet footed. You know, some guys are plotting a little bit, but he's got really fast

foot speed, he's really fluid on transitions and he can make sharp transitions and respond downhill very quickly. And, um, that, that goes back to the processing, you know, the quick trigger and the elite explosive capacity. He jumped, I think 39 and a half inches in the vertical and that acceleration shows up on safe. I mean, he has rockets on his feet. He's got jets.

So, you know, it's really fun to watch him, you know, play and respond like that because he's always flown to the football, always around it. I think the biggest thing for Swayze, Swayze and Jerr, oh my goodness. That's gonna be so difficult, man. I gotta like say that in the mirror 10 times a day,

every morning. I'll get it eventually. But the thing with Carson is that, I think while he's a great box invader, he's really good at knifing through gaps. I do think he can improve his take on technique again, kind of similar to Jahad Campbell. He's got sub 32 inch arms.

I do think there are a lot of times where he relies on that responsiveness and that closing speed to just beat angles. And he's really good at doing that because he's so smart and instinctive. But there are times where you meet a lineman in space at the second level and they're coming right at you. You can't really avoid them. You're going to have to take that block on control the point and limit

displacement so that you can stack shed, get around them and make the tackle. Because if you don't, if you give yourself up, just trying to go for the big play, you might wash yourself out of the play. And then the RV has a path up field. So at the NFL level, you're going to have to be able to take on blocks. And I think Carson can improve at that. I think he has the ability to do that because when you're a linebacker at the second level, the advantage you have on the offensive lineman is you're usually more explosive. You know, you can spring up, you can enter contact proactively and you can get underneath

them too. So I think that the leverage play, the explosion, the physicality, the proactivity, when it comes to intelligence, those things all work in Carson's favor, but I do think he can improve his take on technique and naturally, you know, having a little bit shorter arms, it's gonna be an issue for him from time to time.

I don't think he's ever gonna get away from that, but he's instinctive, he's explosive, and he's a really good coverage player, and he's very good as a pass rusher too. I don't think he's quite at Campbell's level when it comes to upside, but I do think the explosion, he's got pretty good bend and cornering ability. There were some crazy reps where he's blitzing up the A-gap,

bending around a blocker and making the tackle in pursuit. So he's got that ability as well. So I really like Carson. He's a fringe first round player for me. And I think if the Colts were able to get him mid day mid round two, that would be phenomenal value, whether you want Tyler Warren and Carson or Jahad Campbell and Mason Taylor, like I don't think either of those is a wrong answer, but it just

kind of depends on your preference. But he's a very good player. Yeah, absolutely. I think either one of those scenarios would be great for the Colts. You get your linebacker the future you get your tight end of the future and you're rolling from there. But coming up guys, we're going to transition to more round three slash day three type guys that I have personally heard the cults are pretty interested in. So if you've stuck with us throughout the show so far, make sure you're tuning in for this next section because you get a little

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The Fandl app is simple to use and when I win, I get paid instantly. No waiting around. So visit Fandl.com and get in on the college hoops action all tournament long. All right, locked on Colts every day as we are back talking all about the upcoming 2025 NFL draft. We're joined by Ian Cummings, the expert over at Pro Football Network. And now we're going to transition to more again, round three, day three type guys. I think once you get into round three, it gets a little dicey on where these guys actually

could go. You never know what's going on behind the scenes, but I feel pretty comfortable at the Colts like these three players and we're gonna kick it off with a guy who? when I gave you his name you told me right when you jumped on here that that you kind of Got into his film quite a bit and that's smell Monden Monden from Georgia the linebacker who I believe it He was a defensive back earlier in his career Moved to some linebacker at Georgia. You could really see it in his film, in my opinion. I was watching this film the other day for an article at horsedrewhuddle.com

and you could really see some of those defensive back instincts, great speed, really fun blitzer, fun in the run game. Georgia had him playing some star position this past year. You could see him out there over the slot. So what really did you like about Monden's game when you watched the film this past season? Yeah, you know, he's always been a player that I've been aware of. He was a former five star recruit. So that that pedigree really shows up on film, you know, being six three around 229, almost 33 inch arms. So, you know, of these three guys that we've watched, like even Campbell, he's got length,

but I think Mondans a little bit longer. and it definitely shows with his reach and what he can do with that. But, um, you know, showing up on tape, the physical at the NFL level is this guy, I think can be legitimate, sub package, big nickel, linebacker who can erase tight ends because he's quicker than they are and he's faster than a lot of them too. Like he's got that vertical speed where he can match you up the scene, but then he can also close ground in pursuit.

So Monden was a really fun watch. And I think in particular, I think when it comes to coverage, a lot of linebackers can be explosive and long, but I think Smale Mondan really, and you know, going back to what you said, former defensive back, I think he reduces really well for his size. I think the foot speed, the flexibility,

where he can sink his hips and transition, and there's not much of a hitch there at all. You know, I think he's a guy who can survive in off-man coverage and he can match guys, and he plays feet first in off-man, which I love. You know, he's patient, he's disciplined, but he's also really who can survive in off man coverage and he can match guys and he plays feet first and off man, which I love. You know, he's patient, he's disciplined, but he's also really quick to plan and drive and he's pretty efficient with that too. I also liked, you know, some of what I saw in run defense. I think, you know, when it comes to processing in congestion, he can be a little up and down there, but there were some really good flashes of him staying composed, staying square to his gap and using his length to kind of scrape past blockers

and maintain depth without getting to work too far upfield, right? And then he can use his length to make the tackle that same flexibility that helps him in coverage. He can use that to make really late tackle adjustments. So he's worked out a position and he can still wrap up and drag guys down. So really love that malleability to his game.

He's pretty good at withstanding adversity. And I also think, you know, of the three guys that I watched, his take on impressed me the most probably when it comes to taking on blocks. I think he's a guy who can acquire leverage with his lower body. He can use his length to stack guys. And there was some shedding there, too. I do think he can improve his play strength. I do think he can be a little more consistent when it comes to processing, because there are times where, you know, whether it's a misdirection or a pressing runner who's pressing behind a block,

they can work him off, they can offset him pretty easily and he can make an incorrect lateral adjustment and then work himself out of play. Right. So there's still room to improve that part of his game, but Monden can be a coverage chess piece for you. I really, I really do believe that. And then he's got some upside as a pass rusher as well. Again, you want, you want him to expand that pass rushing bag, but again, explosive, super malleable, uh, and a workman like player who really improved over his Georgia career, I think he'll be a great locker room guy too. So, you know, just getting him in that rotation, a lot of pluses for me, I think continuing to get stronger.

And I don't know how much room he has before he's maxed out. I think he's 229 right now. Don't know if he can put too much on without losing that coverage, that coverage ability that makes him so special. But if you get him as a sub package guy, like you said, I think there's a lot of upside there. And if he can become more consistent with his box instincts,

he could become even more than that. I think there's a lot of upside there. He's kind of a day two guy for me, but when I ran his grade, I was not sure what to expect. So crunching the numbers really impressed me on film. Yeah, you know, it's funny, I had a hot take on here last week where I was like, look, if you miss Alan Swessinger, don't reach for another linebacker on day two in this draft if you're the Colts. And that was kind of my hot take on here. And then I watched Mondan

over the weekend and I was like, well, I might have found another one. So maybe Yeah, I might to make a slight adjustment to the hot take guys So depending on if the cult take them or not, you'll see one part of this podcast after draft day with me touting myself as correct But that's that's the fun of an audio medium there But we'll talk about one more player here and that is running back Damien Martinez from Miami So a lot of Colts fans have wanted the pass catching compliment to Jonathan Taylor. That has been what they've been going for for the last couple years. We missed it with Naim Hines being gone the last few years, but my gut is telling me the Colts more so want their Zach Moss replacement.

They did not have that Zach Moss level running back last year in Trey Sermon who? Just did not have a good year for the Colts So I think they want to get back to having a Zach Moss like player and Damien Martinez on film maybe Zach Moss like times 1.5 times 2 because All the things that Moss does well in the NFL with the contact balance with the power Damien Martinez in college looks like, you know, one of those old commercials with like the mascot, like blue, the Colts mascot running over children,

basically like Damien Martinez is running through guys. So what are your thoughts on Damien Martinez, even though he's not such a pass catcher in college, such a fun runner at Miami last year? Oh yeah, for sure. I would go as far as to say Zach Moss times 2.5. I mean, I'm a big fan of Damian Martinez. And I think the thing with him that's really interesting

is you look at his frame, how he's built. And he was listed as heavy as like 240 at Oregon State. You're watching that tape initially. And when you're an evaluator, you read those tea leaves and you kind of get an impression of a guy, right? You read six foot 225 over 220. Like, you're gonna think and he weighed in at 217 at the combine, but he'll probably be in the 220s is playing way. But you see that and you're thinking, okay, brawler bruiser,

I got the gist, right? Like downhill runner, but his creative instincts and vision his flexibility lateral you know range is incredible for his size. It really is. I mean, I think he's you know a lot more than he's chalked up to be on the surface you know you kind of you know he's got the looks when it comes to a power back but you know he's so good at patiently navigating lanes at picking out lanes like whether it's a gap scheme and waiting for his blocks to play out or zone scheme and like pressing behind and using that explosion

and that bend to play to spacing. You know, I really think he's a high level runner when it comes to those two components too. And then you look at the pass blocking on third downs as well. Like he's a very good pass blocker. He'll play square. He will use tight hands.

A lot of components that bode well for his future at the NFL level. And you go back to Zach Moss and that lens, what do you look for in a backup running back in RB two, right? Either a guy who can be a pass catcher for you or, you know, someone who you can be comfortable getting them out there on third downs, the pass blocker. You don't have to worry about your QB safety. Those two things, you know, are what you really want.

And then to have that change of pace and potential volume ability, if Jonathan Taylor does go down, Damian Martinez checks all of those boxes for me. But you know, mainly it's like the dichotomy of looking like a power back and having the contact balance and the physicality of the power back, but also having the first and second level creativity and flexibility to actually create opportunities for yourself and then finish the physicality.

Martinez checks all those boxes. The only category where he didn't grade exceptionally for me was receiving and that's mainly because we don't have a ton of volume there. I do think that's there's a lot for him to prove but there are also some flashes of him taking catches out of the backfield. Again he has a lot of space in those instances a lot of the time. I think he's going to be someone that you'll probably have to scheme scheme open field rack targets to on swings and screens and that's pretty much it day one. But as a change of pace runner who can take volume and then protect your passer on down third down, he checks a lot of boxes. So I think the only question is, just someone take him before before the Colts

do, you know, before they intend to because I really think he could go round two in this RB class, this RB class, it's tough to see how it settles out, but as we saw with like a Zach Charbonnet pick, right? All it takes is one team to be really head over heels for a guy and they'll take him pretty early. So I think, you know, how these teams stack those guys up and we'll see the variance on day two. Yeah, definitely, definitely.

And real quick, I wanted to get your thoughts on this because you're someone who's again validating what my thoughts were. I had a couple back and forth with people regarding Martinez's pass blocking, where I watched four or five games of his this past year. And I was really intrigued by his pass blocking. I thought it was really good watching his pass blocking.

Really good eyes, good technique. I think there was maybe two or three reps that he would like to have back, but all running backs have those. No one's a perfect pass blocking running back, you know. So when I was watching this film, I thought this is a very good pass blocking running back with the potential to be even better. So real quick, I know we're short on time here, but again, you're

you're high on his pass blocking ability. Yeah, I am. You know, I think he plays square really well. I think he's very physical and he'll acquire leverage pretty well. And then he's got pretty good vision when it comes to delayed blitzers, you know, that lateral mobility helps him out of time. I do think there are some times where you know, he'll pop them and he's really physical at the point. And then maybe can improve that, you know, sustaining blocks, right and making sure the guys don't get to the QB on second effort

attempts. But overall, I honestly, he's probably one of the better running running backs in the class when it comes to pass blocking, there's a few guys at the top kind of on the podium, and I think he's he's right there with him. And then he's got but you know, he is the size and the measureable to hold up at the NFL level as well, which is kind of an added, you know, little comforting boost. Awesome. Awesome. Yeah, I completely agree. I'm glad that again, I have you in my corner on that one. So a few people push, but maybe it was this PFF grade or something is maybe what we're making people be down on.

But for me, I saw a very good pass blocking running back on film with Damien Martinez. But that is all we have for today, guys. It's our six prospect breakdowns. I'm sure you guys send enough love in the comments section. We'll bring Ian back on for more episodes, breaking down even more prospects. We only have 30 minutes on this show. So, you know, I can only get into like six prospects with how long winded we are as people, but it was fun. It was fun breaking down the core six right here. We want to thank you guys for making Locked on Colts your first listen today

and every day. Now, if you're second, listen, check out Locked on NFL Draft with Damian Parsons and Keith Sanchez. Find Locked on NFL Draft on YouTube, wherever you list your podcasts. And if you guys don't already, make sure you're following at Locked on Colts, at Jake Arthur NFL, at Zach Hicks to an at IC Underscore draft and all of his work over at Pro Football Network again He hasn't been as active this year because you said you've been busy with like your degree is what you said, right? Ian PFN actually moved me away from the draft Oh, okay, or five months today, they they moved me back to it in March

So I'm gonna play and catch up a lot of a lot of the time. But um, you know, it's good. I have the time and the resources to watch film and put grades together. And so we've been making a lot of progress the past few weeks where we're still got a long way to go. But some the class is starting to come into picture. And I'm really happy to be back, you know, evaluating but also, you know, chopping it up with people like you and my followers and you know, everyone who's out there in the space. It's been a lot of fun to get back into it.

Awesome. Awesome. So make sure you guys are following Ian there on social medias. He does some great work and also subscribe to us on YouTube and all your locked on cult stuff and we back with you guys again tomorrow for another fun show.