Probably better to wait until Day 1 to see if the three defensive players taken in the 2nd are ready. Where did you want the defensive playmakers taken? I dont get it, the most important piece of this team needs protection. With two picks Ballard may have solved the problem of protecting Luck. I'll take that first over a possible playmaker on defense. JMO, tired of seeing the Colts rank near the top in sacks allowed and near the bottom in all aspects of the running game.

Patriots do pretty well finding their skill talent in the second half of the draft. The best most athletic linemen are usually found in the top three rounds. I think we will find success if we stay with that pattern. And hopefully we are done spending high picks on oline, unless we find a new left tackle down the road.

I think Leonard will be a pretty big upgrade from Day 1. Overall, just having better athletes on the fast LOS surface will be an improvement.

I don't know medicals, character, etc., but Landry and Jackson would likely have a bigger Day 1 impact than what Ballard went with. The fun thing about football is that we'll be able to see over the next few years if he was right or wrong.

If I had to guess, I think he stayed away from anyone with any character concerns. He's trying to establish a strong culture, so that probably played a key role in his final evaluations at this stage of team building.

Agree that high character was a consistent theme amoung the guys we picked.

Additionally, it appears that Ballard tended towards athletic ability (testing) over college production. It appears that he will trust his coaching staff to take athletic kids and turn them into better football players in the pros than they were in college.

Risky way to go but if it works....

Walk Worthy,

That's certainly true and I think it plays into how Ballard is trying to build this team. These seem to be the things most important to his philosophy:

-Win at line of scrimmage
-Speed and athleticism
-Character
-Create turnovers

I think we'll see a lot more emphasis on that last point in the next few drafts.