2010 SB Nation NFL Mock Draft: Round 1, Pick 31
by Dan Kadar on Apr 3, 2010 10:00 AM EDT
in SB Nation Writers Mock Draft
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PrintThe 2010 SB Nation NFL Mock Draft rolls on, with each SB Nation blogger making selections for their respective teams. BigBlueShoe, lead blogger at SB Nation's Indianapolis Colts blog, Stampede Blue, checks in to make the No. 31 overall selection in this year's mock. Take it away, sir!
With the No. 31 overall pick in the 2010 SB Nation NFL Mock Draft, the Indianapolis Colts have selected Charles Brown, OT, USC.
BBS says: I was presented with a pretty simple choice at #31. Which USC player would Colts President Bill Polian go with: The very talented pass rushing threat that is defensive end Everson Griffen, a guy that Mocking Dan has ranked #1 in terms of players still available, or the potentially less-talented but seemingly more NFL-ready left tackle Charles Brown, also from USC? While I agree with Dan that Griffen's raw ability and his 4.66 timed speed at the Combine make him the obvious pick from a talent standpoint, when I see draft profiles written by people I trust using words like "risky prospect," "attitude problems," and "questionable work ethic" to describe Griffen, my antennae go up. While talent is great, it is secondary to competitiveness and a desire to win in the NFL. This is why guys like Tom Brady (6th Round, 2000) have rings, and guys like Michael Vick (1st Round, 2001) do not.
That said, when you take into account the red flags in Griffen's character profile, the logical pick for the Colts is USC left tackle Charles Brown.
The Colts made the Super Bowl last year with a converted guard (Charlie Johnson) protecting Peyton Manning's blindside. And while CJ did an excellent job considering his draft pedigree, the reality is the Colts absolutely must upgrade at the left tackle spot in order to be a contender in years to come. 2007 first day draft pick Tony Ugoh has been a bust, losing his starting job to CJ early last season. Like Everson Griffen, there were red flags about Ugoh's attitude and desire to win when he came out of Arkansas. All the talent in the world + sub-standard desire to win = Bust.
As far as I can tell, Charles Brown does not have such red flags.
Our own draft profile of Brown at Stampede Blue tags him as a focused player who is rarely penalized. He also has displayed a nastiness that is necessary to play tackle in the NFL. He needs to improve as a run blocker, and could add a little more muscle and bulk onto his frame. However, at 6'5, 300 pounds, Brown has the physique and the tools to become a very good left tackle. With Peyton Manning as his quarterback, his transition into the NFL would be much easier due to Manning's intelligence and quick release.
Re-tooling and re-inventing the offensive line seems to be priority #1 this off-season for Bill Polian, a man who had some not-so-happy things to say about his guys in the trenches after the Colts Super Bowl loss to the Saints. If the Colts drafted Brown (in addition to their other moves, such as dumping Ryan Lilja and signing Adam Terry and Andy Alleman), it would send a clear signal that the performance of the o-line last year was completely unacceptable. It would mean the days in Indy are numbered for Ugoh and for 2008 first day pick Mike Pollak. I have a sense that this is what Polian wants to do. He wants to shake up the o-line and give new line coach Pete Metzelaars a fresh start with some new talent. Therefore, if Brown is there at #31, Polian will take him.
An interesting note to all this is that in the Mocking the Draft reader's mock, Stampede Blue writer Joe "shake n bake" Baker needed to trade up in the first round to secure Charles Brown for the Colts. In this SB Nation writers mock draft, he simply fell into my lap at #31. Here's to hoping the Colts are as lucky as I was.
Mocking Dan reacts: Should Brown last this long in the "real" draft, I imagine this would be the pick. It fills a huge need and would give the team an immediate starter. Good picking.
Mocking the Draft's Top 5 remaining prospects: 1 - Everson Griffen/DE/USC, 2 - Golden Tate/WR/Notre Dame, 3 - Bruce Campbell/OT/Maryland, 4 - Jonathan Dwyer/RB/Georgia Tech, 5 - Damian Williams/WR/USC
Sound off, SB Nation! What say you of Indianapolis' selection of Charles Brown? Please be sure to check out Stampede Blue for all of your Colts needs.
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Not a fan of this pick
Not a believer in Brown, but I understand it won’t be until Draft day for other Colts fans and (ignorant) online draftniks to see the team won’t take him.
If I wanted to take a risk on a tackle, why not Bruce Campbell instead? He has elite physical tools and could have been a Top 10 pick next year if he stayed in school and had a great year. Both him and Brown are bad run-blockers, but at least Campbell can improve in that area. Campbell has the potential to get better in all areas, Brown doesn’t.
It doesn’t make any sense whatsoever. Not surprising though, considering.
Personally I would have considered one of the four players:
1. C Matt Tennant, Boston College
2. CB Kareem Jackson, Alabama
3. OT Rodger Saffold, Indiana – if I was that desperate for a tackle. At least Saffold could be an exceptional guard should things not work out at tackle, Brown never will.
4. OT Bruce Campbell – if I really wanted to hit a home run at the risk of striking out, he would absolutely be my guy.
Although I like Tennant a little more than Jackson, there’s zero chance Jackson gets out of the Top 40 picks so I’d probably go with him and just hope Tennant could slide enough in the 2nd round to get within reasonable trading distance. Although that’s no sure thing, so it’s a difficult decision.
Actually
I believe Brandon Graham is still available, and I probably would have taken him if Brown were gone. The more I look at Griffen, the less confident I am in him.
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Graham went at 17 to SF
he’s right behind Brown on my wishlist
Luck is probability taken personally, clutch is probability attributed to individuals.
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behind brown?
he is my top player on my wish list.
by metal_militia on Apr 4, 2010 1:58 PM EDT up reply actions
On further thought I would definitely go with Tennant
He’s the best player available imo and it’s not worth the risk losing him, especially as I doubt he’ll last through the second round.
If Jackson was more of playmaker, I might have felt differently. I would take my chances with Tennant and then look to draft at least one corner in Rounds 2 and 3.
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