It was a disappointing season for the Indianapolis Colts. In their first season without Andrew Luck, they finished with a 7-9 record and ranked third in the AFC South standings. There are some glaring needs for this team, including quarterback, but one key need is in the secondary.
The Colts hold the 13th pick in the draft. They could have their pick of any cornerback on the board except for Jeff Okudah who is expected to go in the top three. When looking at the cornerback depth in the draft, Indianapolis could opt to wait until day two. This could land them a player like Lamar Jackson.
The Nebraska product was once viewed as a first-round pick. During the middle of the college football season, Jackson put his name out there as one of the top corners in the nation. Down the stretch, his value seemed to drop but this could work in the Colts' favor.
Could Jackson Land in Indy?
The Colts have needs on both the offensive and defensive lines. This could be where their first-round pick goes. In the later rounds, if Jackson is available, he could end up being selected by Indianapolis.
Jackson has proven to be an excellent cover corner at Nebraska. He was tied for 18th in the country with 12 pass deflections on the season. He also recorded three interceptions and two forced fumbles but is currently ranked near the bottom of the top 10 cornerbacks in the current draft class.
What sets Jackson apart is his length. He is 6'3, 215 pounds and uses his size to play physically against receivers. He is willing to crowd receivers and make it different for them to break into their release. During his time at Nebraska, he was able to use that size to gain an advantage over receivers.
It's worth noting, Jackson's size can be an advantage it's worth questioning if he is too big to play corner in the NFL. He is bigger than most corners in the league and the idea of a position change has been brought up. That may not be the best idea. He is a player who has been guarding receivers for a long time. The Colts could certainly find a way to use his size and strength.
When drafting Lamar Jackson, a team would be getting a physical player on the outside. You would also be getting a corner who is not afraid to tackle and be used as a run stopper. This is a versatile player who a team would get great value with on day two of the draft.
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