I’d rank those needs the same way, with an emphasis on a CB who can return kicks, but not to overpay for one. So my list would go like this:

1. OT-Obviously need one, everyone knows this
2. G/C-Saturday’s old, DeVann isn’t good. I’d draft a great center 10 picks too early before reaching on an O-tackle if all the “sure fire” ones are gone, especially considering tackles’ bust potential.
3. DE-I really want Brandon Graham in the first if there aren’t better o-line options. With Freeney’s age and Brock getting cut, this is a potential problem area.
4. CB-I’d rank CB second if they could get one who can both cover #1s and return kicks. Otherwise, this is a very deep draft for CBs and you can get one at the end of the third, or even the end of the fourth, who could upgrade the empty spot in our rotation. Chances are, the Colts’ special teams blocking is too bad for a great college returner to make an immediate impact anyway, and there are far too many other needs to address first. Until the Cotls can turn an average return man into an above average one with blocking I don’t see the sense in wasting a high pick on a guy who can return but not cover. That said, the Colts have drafted some cut-worthy DBs in recent years. If they’re going to get screwed on d-talent, it might as well be for a guy who can at least compete for the return job.

As for Gaither, I’d absolutely love him at RT. He’s a mauler, and would allow the Colts to slide Diem over to RG. Gaither’s much better than anyone they could reasonably get at the end of the first, barring a major slip from one of the studs. They’d still have to address LT, but they could do that in round two if they lucked out and got a guy like Roger Saffold.

However, I’d be shocked if the Ravens didn’t match him right away.

Make the move for Gaither INDY!

The rumors of Indy considering Gaither aren’t even rumors. They’re more like suggestions coming from the fan base and sports writers.

For one, Brown wouldn’t have the financial hit that Gaither would. And let’s be frank: This coming season will almost certainly be the only uncapped one, unless the NFL and PA becomes monumentally stupid. You don’t want that big a hit on your roster. Besides, even if rules were worked out excusing any signing done in the uncapped year, it’s still smarter to go cheaper as long as the talent available still shows promise.

For two, again thinking longer term: You’d end up having Brown a lot longer.

That said, I’m not opposed to Gaither being signed. I just think there are better possible options for the long term. I’d be willing to gamble to let Gaither go as long as Brown were still available. Or if I somehow got ironclad information that Okung would fall (yeah, I know, dream on EMH…). But if I knew that no good ones would be available in the first two rounds, and if I knew that the ones who’d be there in the latter rounds weren’t as good as Gaither, well then, pull the trigger. But that’s a specific situation, with specific triggering events. Given that all of what I’m saying is simply unknown, I think it’s a better idea to see how the draft works out.