Colts DC Bradley Reveals NFL Draft Priority
The NFL Draft is just a week away, and the focus on the Indianapolis Colts strategy has been almost exclusively at quarterback and the No. 4 overall pick.
Defensive coordinator Gus Bradley reminded us at media availability on Wednesday that the Colts will have other priorities as well.
"Well, yeah we evaluate all the positions but you’re right, that’s a spot you watch for because it’s such a need in the NFL," said Bradley when asked specifically about cornerbacks. "Finding a good one, it can really elevate your team. When we look at things it’s, hey it’s the 3-technique, it’s the linebacker, it’s the corner – that corner spot is pretty high on the list."
With cornerback being high on the list for the Colts, Bradley feels good about coming out of the draft with a player that can help make an impact on a thin Indianapolis secondary.
"I think it’s a good draft class overall," said Bradley. "I think in the past, the perception is tall, long guys with a lot of length. We do like those guys because they can play at the line of scrimmage and play a lot of press technique. There is going to be times that there’s tight splits where they have to play off so you need to see that short-area quickness."
"The ideal part of it is a guy with some length who has good short-area quickness. Well, this group you see some guys like that. There are guys that stand out that have that ability. So, it appears to be a pretty good group."
The Colts have five picks in the top-150 of the draft which starts next Thursday. Despite hints from Jim Irsay that the Colts are wide open, it's still likely Indianapolis takes a quarterback with its first pick.
But the Colts also have picks 35, 79, and 106.
Georgia's Kelee Ringo could still be around at No. 35. Darius Rush of South Carolina is ranked No. 83 by NFL Mock Draft Database, and could be an option at 79.
The best drafts are when the best prospects available also fit a need. The Colts have a need at cornerback, and the Class of 2023 appears to be relatively deep at the position.
Quarterback, cornerback... one-two for the Colts would fill two big needs with talented players.
