Is James Bradberry a possibility for Indianapolis?

Spring is upon us. The solar is lastly out in Indianapolis because the temperatures have risen above 70, and in just a few days, Colts rookies will take the follow fields for the primary time.

The draft was virtually two weeks in the past at this level, so we have all had a while to look into the rookies and formulate some first impressions and lukewarm takes. So, it is time to reply a few of your questions on these guys.

(To affix the following name for mailbag questions, make sure you’re following me on Twitter. Additionally be at liberty to electronic mail questions on the deal with under.)

Let’s get to it:

Q: “The place do you reckon the Colts would have gone at Choose 16 in the event that they nonetheless had the decide? (with how the board truly fell)” — @timdavies21 on Twitter

Alternate realities will be enjoyable, particularly when we have now some bread crumbs to guide us there. That is what Indianapolis’ first decide of Alec Pierce instructed us.

Common supervisor Chris Ballard all the time spends his high decide at a serious place of want, however he additionally values the perfect participant obtainable philosophy. On condition that, I believe he’d have three sturdy choices of gamers who went on this vary: Penn State huge receiver Jahan Dotson, Northern Iowa offensive deal with Trevor Penning and Arkansas huge receiver Treylon Burks. 

We do not know Ballard’s particular grades on these three gamers, however I do not assume he noticed offensive deal with as a must have beginning place on this draft. Meaning he’d have to like Penning that rather more than different choices.

At huge receiver, Ballard virtually all the time drafts for catch radius and vertical measurement, as he did in taking the 6-3 Pierce over 5-10 Skyy Moore, who had way more polish. The choice between 6-2 Burks and 5-11 Dotson is reasonably comparable, and I believe Ballard would go in the identical path with the larger participant.

With greater than 1,100 yards within the Southeastern Convention final season to go along with 225-pound measurement, Burks attracts some comparisons to Deebo Samuel and A.J. Brown in his ceiling. A hybrid operating back-wide receiver has a tougher time discovering alternatives in an offense with Jonathan Taylor and Nyheim Hines, however I wager Ballard trusts Frank Reich, Marcus Brady and Matt Ryan to make it occur.

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Q: “In case you needed to guess, who’s that participant CB was speaking about on “With the Subsequent Choose” that in the event that they have been there at 42, he would take them proper there after which?” — @sebjalisco on Twitter

So, if we apply the identical above logic about Ballard prioritizing a high want and worth at that decide, I believe the dialog most probably contains these gamers taken shortly earlier than the Colts’ decide: Georgia security Lewis Cine, Baylor security Jalen Pitre, Washington cornerback Kyler Gordon and North Dakota State huge receiver Christian Watson.

Ballard recognized security and cornerback as wants, however he did not draft them together with his high three picks this 12 months, making them seemingly not the highest wants. As a result of he believed a lot in Nick Cross, who was round within the third, I believe it is much less seemingly a security. Kyler Gordon does test each field he appears to be like for in a prospect, which is partly why he wound up with Matt Eberflus, I additionally do not assume he’d see that place as an enormous want.

That leaves Watson as the reply. I have been saying it since I watched his breakout on the Senior Bowl, however he checks each field Ballard likes in his first decide after which some: 6-4 peak, 4.36-second velocity and elite soccer character. He is what Pierce is, simply taller, quicker and extra dynamic with the ball in his arms.

Inexperienced Bay traded up and took Watson after which the Colts traded again. That is often the ripple impact that occurs when a goal will get snagged.

Projecting Colts’ depth chart:How Alec Pierce and different rookies slot in

Q: “Will the Colts signal Huge Q (Quenton Nelson) to a contract extension earlier than Week 1?” — @Diny87rg on Twitter

Ballard has made it clear that he’ll re-sign Nelson, saying after the season ended that “Quenton is a Colt.” However he additionally hinted afterward that it won’t be till a 12 months from now, after Nelson performs out his fifth-year possibility.

That is the trail that elite and safe gamers take, realizing the rewards solely go up because the wage cap does. Denzel Ward waited till after his fifth season to re-sign with the Browns, and he bought $100 million out of it. Nelson is an analogous caliber of participant however at a much less premium place, and he is aware of his group desires to maintain him.

Guards are getting paid currently. Prior to now 12 months, the Browns have signed Joel Bitonio for 3 years, $48 million and Wyatt Teller for 4 years, $56.8 million. The Jaguars simply signed Brandon Scherff for 3 years, $49.5 million.

I anticipate Nelson to high these three if he waits, as he has extra youth, sturdiness and All-Professional and first-round pedigree than they do. All of it hinges on a largely wholesome season, which is a threat, however Ward took the identical plunge after lacking 11 video games his first 4 seasons and got here out with $100 million. Nelson is a equally uncommon participant with the leverage on his facet.

Q: “Which remaining vet FAs (WR, Backup QB, Leo edge) do you assume they’re going to be most all in favour of filling out roster with?” — @MWally21 on Twitter

Ballard loves to speak about year-round participant acquisition as a option to purchase bargains and nonetheless win the battle for compensatory draft picks. I anticipate him to signal a number of veterans this manner, together with one who will command a great deal of enjoying time.

Ballard bought that prepare began Tuesday by signing swing deal with Dennis Kelly, he of 114 profession video games and 51 begins. That might maintain the offensive line depth, relying on whether or not Pryor is a beginning left deal with or versatile backup by the beginning of the season.

The obvious opening now’s at slot receiver. Pierce is an out of doors receiver by nature and the Colts have little or no confirmed to work in the midst of the sphere, or the place Ryan has all the time made his cash. The most suitable choice is Jarvis Landry, however the five-time Professional Bowler has held a excessive price ticket this spring and won’t accept a crowded offense. The extra seemingly choices are both T.Y. Hilton, who’s match for a slot position now that he wins with route operating and spacial consciousness greater than velocity; or Julio Jones, who brings most of the identical traits however can’t be counted on to remain wholesome.

If the Colts resolve they need a veteran backup to Ryan, it is seemingly Nick Foles would be the man, given his observe document and his connection to Reich. Indianapolis might simply roll with Sam Ehlinger and financial institution on Ryan to remain wholesome, as he has for all however one recreation up to now 12 seasons.

Extra Colts protection:Do the Colts want a veteran backup for Matt Ryan?

A veteran on the sting would make sense, given the youth that’s nonetheless very current even after the addition of Yannick Ngakoue. Carl Nassib or Carlos Dunlap may very well be good matches right here.

If there is a splash to make on protection nonetheless, it is at cornerback with James Bradberry, the Professional Bowler the Giants simply made a cap casualty. In contrast to the draft choices, he presents a transparent improve over Isaiah Rodgers or Brandon Facyson and will end off the perfect protection Ryan has ever needed to work with. Bradberry is 28, so he is seemingly a multi-year deal, and that wades into plans to re-sign Nelson and doubtlessly Ngakoue.

If the Colts go along with a less expensive possibility for depth, Kevin King or a return for Xavier Rhodes might make some sense.

Contact Colts insider Nate Atkins at natkins@indystar.com. Follow him on Twitter @NateAtkins_.