CSC Community Mock Draft: The Indianapolis Colts Select...

This pick and analysis was written by CSC member Walter FTW. Thank you for your participation!

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With the twenty-seventh pick in the Canal Street Chronicles community mock draft, the Indianapolis Colts select...

Evander "Ziggy" Hood, DT, Missouri

Bill Polian was very distressed to find Hakeem Nicks, Eben Britton, and Peria Jerry off the board, and is, quite frankly, unsure about this selection. Gerald McRath and Darry Beckwith both seem like natural fits for the Colts' undersized linebacker corps, rangy and good in coverage. They would both, however, probably be around for the Colts' next selection, and aren't necessarily worth a first-round pick. As for DT's, Ron Brace, BJ Raji's counterpart at Boston College, is a monstrous run-stuffer that the Colts could also use; the only reasons he's being discounted are a lack of available film and the fact that he played next to a guaranteed double team during his career. If trades were allowed, the Colts would be headed down in the draft.

Though Ziggy Hood's highlight film is distressing in areas, mainly in his extremely poor tackling technique (he struggles bringing down both quarterbacks and running backs without aid) and his tendency to take on blocks high, he looks the part of a Cover-2 defensive tackle. In this system defensive linemen are pass rushers, first and foremost, and the ability to entangle running backs for safeties or linebackers to finish off is an added bonus. He doesn't possess Jerry's strength or burst, but he makes up for it by having the best arsenal of moves and top-end speed of any defensive tackle in the draft. Playing on the same line as Pro Bowlers Robert Mathis and Dwight Freeney should free Hood from the double teams that plagued him during his senior year as well. He's also notable for his toughness, and the ability to play through injuries will be a great addition to a fragile defensive interior. Frankly, if Hood plays at league-average ability, he'll be an immediate upgrade to the depth of the Colts d-line.

At best, Hood transforms the line into even more of a pass-rushing monstrosity than it already is, as well as freeing up the linebackers with his ability to take on and fight blocks. At worst, he's a competent pass rusher who adds much-needed depth to the defensive line.

The Buffalo Bills are now on the clock...

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