With the twenty-second pick in the 2011 BGN Mock Draft, Shawsage selects...
Stephen Paea - DT, Oregon State
It's no secret the Colts need all the help they can get in protecting their soon-to-be massive investment Peyton Manning. He has never been mobile and at 35 he probably only has a few more years left. If he were to go down due to injury this team would likely crumble without him. 2010 starter at LT Charlie Johnson is scheduled to become a FA, and it is unknown weather the team would like to bring him back or not. Regardless, if Johnson returns they still are in need of an upgrade at the position. But are any of the available OT guaranteed to be day 1 starters? It doesn't seem likely to me that they will. So if they don't go for OT what are their remaining options?
Indianapolis faces some of the leagues best RB's twice a year in Chris Johnson, Maurice Jones-Drew, and Arian Foster. They have struggled for years to contain the running game. The depth at DT is suspect at best. Their starters are underwhelming and, while they did show improvement late in the year when 2009 second round pick Fili Moala started to show up, improvement can definitely be made. DE's Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis cannot be counted on for much help in the running game. You have to wonder if Polian & Co aren't thinking long and hard about helping out the D-line. After all where is the worst place for Peyton Manning to be? On the sideline watching their opponent control the clock with the running game.
More after the jump...
With the release of oft-injured SS Bob Sanders there is a hole at the safety position but with the lack of top-end talent in this years draft this is not an option at this point. Some would argue that they could look to improve their WR corps, but I'm not one of them, and besides safety there isn't anybody worth taking this high. So it appears to me like they have two options with this pick, OT and DT.
I've decided to select Oregon State DT Stephen Paea. After reading the writeup on Paea I was sold on him being the perfect player for the Colts D-line. He won't be counted on immediately to be "the guy" to solve their run D issues but alongside Moala could end up becoming one of the better DT's in the league. His best football is ahead of him, having only played for 6 years. By all accounts he is humble, hardworking, and determined to succeed. I fully anticipate that whomever selects this kid will be sewing a "C " patch on his chest within 5 years.
I find these stat rankings too much to ignore.
Run defense ranks: 2010 - 25th, 2009 - 24th, 2008 - 24th.
Pass offense ranks:2010 - 1st, 2009 - 2nd, 2008 - 5th.
Their run D has been consistently one of the worst in the league over the last 3 years, while their pass offense has been one of the best. I feel that regardless of who they put at LT Manning is going to give them a good chance to win. He gets the ball out so quickly and decisively that a lot of times there is no chance for a sack. Now obviously an argument can be made for LT, and it is a valid one. I just personally feel that they need to get their defense up to par with their offense so they don't have to rely on Manning week in/out to win them games(kinda sounds familiar doesn't it).Peyton isn't completely happy about it, but he won't mind once he watches Paea put in work. Besides "I'm F-ing Peyton Manning! No OT issue is gonna stop me!"
Next on the clock will be Route36 with the Philadelphia Eagles.
Previous Picks: 1 - Nick Fairley 2 - Patrick Peterson 3 - Blaine Gabbert 4 - Cam Newton 5 - Von Miller 6 - Marcell Dareus 7 - Prince Amukamara 8 - A.J. Green 9 - Da'Quan Bowers 10 - Corey Liuget 11 - Robert Quinn 12 - Julio Jones 13 - Tyron Smith 14 - Jimmy Smith 15 - Mark Ingram 16 - Cameron Jordan 17 - Ryan Kerrigan 18 - Anthony Castonzo 19 - Mike Pouncey 20 - Adrian Clayborn 21 - Phil Taylor