Whom The Indianapolis Colts Should Have Drafted

Below are the abbreviations for the positional players:


QB = quarterback
RB = running back
FB = full back
WR = wide receiver
TE = tight end

C = center
OT = offensive tackle
OG = offensive guard

DT = defensive tackle
DE = defensive end

LB = line backer

CB = corner back
S = safety
SS = strong safety
FS = free safety

P = punter
PK = place kicker
KR = kick returner

With the 24th overall pick in the 2003 NFL Draft, the Colts selected Dallas Clark (TE). Clark is one of the premiere tight ends in football, so this is without question an excellent pick. Clark, because he has such good hands, could play wide receiver. It is odd that he has yet to go to the Pro Bowl, but his numbers would justify him being a Pro Bowler.

Mike Doss (S) was taken in the 2nd round. Doss had a good rookie year, but his production declined over the next three years. A better pick here would have been Lance Briggs (LB) or Jason Witten (TE). In round 3, the Colts drafted Donald Strickland (CB) and was not a play maker. Indianapolis should have selected Terrence McGee (CB) or Asante Samuel (CB).

Round 4 brought Steve Sciullo (OG) to the Colts team. Sciullo started his rookie year, but only played one season in Indianapolis. A better value draft choice here would have been Dan Koppen (C).

The Colts picked Robert Mathis (DE) in the 5th round and was a good value selection as he has been a defensive force for the team even when he is not a starter. With another 5th round draft pick, Indianapolis chose Keyon Whiteside (LB). During the 12 games Whiteside played in (over a two-year span), he recorded only three tackles. A much better draft choice here would have been Kevin Walter (WR).

Indianapolis drafted Cato June (LB) in round 6 and was a good late round addition to the roster. June was a Pro Bowler in 2005.

In the 7th round of the draft, Makoa Freitas (OT) was selected by the Colts. Freitas was mainly a reserve player, so the team should have added Kris Dielman (OG) to their roster. Dielman was an undrafted free agent as was Antonio Gates (TE) and Tony Romo (QB). While Romo would not replace Peyton Manning, he would be an excellent backup in case Peyton were injured. The Colts could have either drafted these players or signed them as free agents.

Indianapolis did sign Gary Brackett (LB) as an undrafted free agent and has played well enough to become a starter in 2005. Again, the Colts show how they can find talent even in the late rounds of the NFL Drafts.


Summary Of Players The Indianapolis Colts Should Have Acquired In 2003

Lance Briggs
Terrence McGee
Dan Koppen
Kevin Walter
Kris Dielman
Antonio Gates
Tony Romo

The Colts had no 1st round draft choice in the 2004 NFL Draft. Indianapolis drafted Bob Sanders (SS) with the 44th overall selection. Sanders was named Defensive Player of the Year in 2007. Sanders' problem is he can't stay healthy enough to help the Colts defense more, but when he does play, Sanders is a hard-hitter.

In the 3rd round, the Colts had two consecutive draft choices, which were used on Ben Hartsock (TE) and Gilbert Gardner (LB). Neither guy is much of an impact player, so better picks here would have been Chris Cooley (TE), Matt Schaub (QB), Nathan Vasher (CB) or Jared Allen (DE).

Indianapolis had two more draft selections in round 4: Kendyll Pope (LB) and Jason David (CB). Pope played in only two games and David is not even close to being an elite player. Better options here were Michael Turner (RB) and Derrick Ward (RB).


Summary Of Players The Indianapolis Colts Should Have Acquired In 2004

Nathan Vasher
Jared Allen
Michael Turner
Derrick Ward

In the 2005 NFL Draft, the Colts selected Marlin Jackson (CB) with the 29th overall pick. Jackson is not the Pro Bowl-caliber player Indianapolis should have drafted here in the 1st round. Jackson is just an average player, so the Colts would have been better off selecting Lofa Tatupu (LB), Nick Collins (S), Logan Mankins (OG) or Michael Roos (OT).

The Indianapolis Colts picked Kelvin Hayden (CB) in round 2. Obviously, the Colts had a huge need in the secondary with two high draft picks for corner backs. Hayden has had one good year and after that, you don't see much production from him. A better draft choice here would have been Justin Tuck (DE) or Frank Gore (RB).

Vincent Burns (DE) was grabbed in the 3rd round and was a complete bust because he played in zero games for the Colts. Indianapolis should have invested this draft pick on Marion Barber III (RB), Brandon Jacobs (RB) or Darren Sproles (RB).

With two draft selections in round 4, the Colts drafted Dylan Gandy (OG) and Matt Giordano (S). Gandy was a starter for only 1/3 of the games he played for the Colts and Giordano is mainly a bench player. Trent Cole (DE) and Jay Ratliff (DT) were still on the draft board.

Indianapolis added Jonathan Welsh (DE) to the roster in the 5th round. Welsh played in only six games for the Colts franchise. Josh Cribbs (KR) was not drafted and the Colts could have signed him to a contract, but they elected not to sign the electrifying Cribbs.


Summary Of Players The Indianapolis Colts Should Have Acquired In 2005

Nick Collins
Justin Tuck
Darren Sproles
Trent Cole
Jay Ratliff
Josh Cribbs

1. Peyton Manning
2. Reggie Wayne
3. Marvin Harrison
4. Joseph Addai
5. Dallas Clark

Indianapolis had the 30th overall pick in the 2006 NFL Draft, which was used to select Joseph Addai (RB). Addai went to the Pro Bowl in 2008, but he has missed some game time because he gets injured quite a bit even when he takes just a normal hit from a defender. Of course, if the Colts had drafted Michael Turner, Derrick Ward and Darren Sproles from previous years, Indianapolis could have used this draft choice on someone more valuable like DeMeco Ryans (LB), Greg Jennings (WR) or Marcus McNeill (OT).

Tim Jennings (CB) was taken in round 2. Jennings is not an elite player and a wasted draft pick this early in the draft. A better option here would have been Owen Daniels (TE) or Brandon Marshall (WR). In the 3rd round, the Colts picked Freddie Keiaho (LB) and can make plays if given an opportunity for playing time. Keiaho is not an elite player, but one day could be a Pro Bowler.

The Indianapolis Colts drafted Michael Toudouze (OG) in round 5. Toudouze has only played in four games for Indianapolis. The Colts should have selected Cortland Finnegan (CB).

Charlie Johnson (OT) was grabbed in the 6th round. Johnson has developed into a starting offensive lineman for one of the most explosive offenses in the league, so the Colts found a winner with this late draft pick. Indianapolis also made a wise choice on another 6th round selection, Antoine Bethea (FS). Bethea has been a starter in every game he has played and is a play maker for the Colts.

In round 7, Indianapolis selected T.J. Rushing (CB). Rushing is only a bench player. The Colts would have gotten more value out of this draft choice by taking Marques Colston (WR).


Summary Of Players The Indianapolis Colts Should Have Acquired In 2006

Marcus McNeill
Brandon Marshall
Cortland Finnegan
Marques Colston

The Colts always seem to make a run for the playoffs every year, but they have trouble getting to the Super Bowl. If the Indianapolis Colts had drafted the team listed below, it is reasonable to think they would have more opportunities to play in the championship game.

The Colts franchise has play makers and elite players, but having even more of these players will help battle injuries and inconsistent play from other players. The roster below is based on draft pick locations and franchise needs.

Tony Romo (QB)

Michael Turner (RB)
Darren Sproles (RB)
Derrick Ward (RB)

Marques Colston (WR)
Kevin Walter (WR)

Dallas Clark (TE)
Antonio Gates (TE)
Owen Daniels (TE)

Dan Koppen (C)
Kris Dielman (OG)
Charlie Johnson (OT)

Jay Ratliff (DT)
Jared Allen (DE)
Justin Tuck (DE)
Trent Cole (DE)
Robert Mathis (DE)

Lance Briggs (LB)
DeMeco Ryans (LB)
Cato June (LB)
Freddie Keiaho (LB)

Terrence McGee (CB)
Cortland Finnegan (CB)
Nathan Vasher (CB)
Bob Sanders (SS)
Nick Collins (S)
Antoine Bethea (FS)

Josh Cribbs (KR)