Breaking down the Indianapolis Colts' 2019 draft class. Round 2, No. 34 overall: Rock Ya-Sin, CB, Temple 2019 NFL DRAFT COVERAGE What you need to know from Rounds 1-7: • Pick-by-pick analysis » • Kiper's grades » | McShay's best picks » • Team-by-team analysis » | Takeaways » • Best undrafted » | Fantasy reax » • More NFL draft coverage » My take: The Colts surprised many in the NFL by finishing 11th overall in total defense (16th against the pass) last season, but secondary was a legitimate concern, based on lack of depth at that position and injuries there. Ya-Sin joins a secondary that includes Quincy Wilson, Pierre Desir, Kenny Moore and Nate Hairston. Ya-Sin was a three-year starter at Presbyterian before the school moved down to Division II and stopped offering football scholarships. He transferred to Temple, where he had 47 tackles and two interceptions last season. Ya-Sin said he played mainly man-to-man coverage at Temple. The Colts, on the other hand, play more zone under defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus. Ben Banogu played defensive line at TCU but has the athleticism necessary to play linebacker with the Colts. Matthew Visinsky/Icon Sportswire Round 2, No. 49 overall: Ben Banogu, DE, TCU My take: The Colts had to address their pass-rush needs with the likes of Patrick Mahomes, Drew Brees and Ben Roethlisberger on the schedule next season. The Colts, according to Banogu, look at him as a player they can line up all around the field. Banogu played defensive end at TCU, but he's athletic enough that he could see playing time at linebacker, too. He said he hasn't played linebacker since he was at Prosper (Texas) High School. Banogu had 106 tackles, including 34.5 for a loss, and 17 sacks in his two seasons at TCU after transferring from Louisiana-Monroe. It wouldn't be surprising if Banogu saw playing time at linebacker because defensive line could be the Colts' deepest position. Banogu set a record in the broad jump for defensive linemen when he jumped 11-foot-2 during the combine. His 4.62-second 40-yard dash was the sixth-fastest among edge rushers. Parris Campbell was a dynamic big-play threat at Ohio State. Andrew Dieb/Icon Sportswire Round 2, No. 59 overall: Parris Campbell, WR, Ohio State My take: The Colts had to address the receiver position after dealing with injuries and inconsistent play from just about every player at the position not named T.Y. Hilton last season. Campbell, whose 4.31-second 40-yard dash was tied for the fastest among wide receivers during the combine earlier this spring, spent all four seasons at Ohio State. He had a school-record 90 catches for 1,063 yards and 12 touchdowns last season for the Big Ten champions. Campbell is joining a receiving group that features Hilton, Devin Funchess and Chester Rogers. Tight end Eric Ebron is somewhat of a hybrid receiver in the offense. Campbell's speed will allow coach Frank Reich to use him in several different ways in his offense and give quarterback Andrew Luck another big-play threat down the field. Round 3, No. 89 overall: Bobby Okereke, LB, Stanford My take: The Colts wrapped up the second day of the draft by adding to their linebacker group with the selection of Okereke, who said he believes he'll play middle linebacker with the Colts. Anthony Walker is the Colts' starting middle linebacker. Okereke will likely also get playing time on special teams. Okereke, who interned in the office of former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice while at Stanford, had 240 tackles and 10.5 sacks in his career at Stanford. The Colts had four picks in the second and third rounds. Three of those picks were used on defensive players. Round 4, No. 109 overall: Khari Willis, S, Michigan State My take: The Colts traded both of their fourth-round picks (129 and 135) to Oakland to move up 20 spots and select Willis. The Colts have four safeties on their roster that they're high on in Clayton Geathers, Malik Hooker, George Odum and Matthias Farley. The concern is the health of those players. Geathers has missed 23 games over the past four seasons and Hooker has missed 11 games in his first two seasons. Farley missed 11 games last season. Willis, who plays the same position as Geathers, had 196 career tackles, 4.0 sacks and four interceptions in his career at Michigan State. Round 5, No. 144 overall: Marvell Tell III, S, USC My take: Colts GM Chris Ballard has put a premium on improving a defense that finished 11th overall last season. Tell is the fifth defensive player selected by the Colts in six picks in the draft. Tell had five interceptions and 221 tackles in his career at USC. The Colts view Tell more as a cornerback than safety in the NFL. If that's the case, he'll become the second player the Colts have drafted who has made the switch from college safety to cornerback in the NFL. T.J. Green, who was selected in the second of the 2016, moved to cornerback in 2017 before he was released in 2018. Round 5, No. 164 overall: E.J. Speed, LB, Tarleton State My take: Speed, and I don't mean Speed's last name, has been a priority by the Colts with their picks so far. Speed is not only the sixth defensive player the Colts have selected in seven picks, but they're all athletic linebackers and defensive backs. Speed said he passed up the opportunity to play at Division I programs like Oklahoma State, Colorado and Colorado State to stay close to home at Division II Tarleton State (Texas) because his adopted brother was battling cancer. Speed had some legal issues while at Tarleton State. He was arrested last year and charged with two counts of organized criminal activity. The grand jury ended up no-billing the charges and the case was dismissed, according to the Stephenville (Texas) Empire-Tribune. Round 6, No. 199 overall: Gerri Green, DE, Mississippi State My take: Green didn't produce as much as Mississippi State first-round picks Montez Sweat, Jeffery Simmons and Johnathan Abram from that defense, but he was still a key part of the unit.<doc-sep>The Indianapolis Colts concluded the 2019 NFL Draft with 10 selections when it was all said and done. They had a concise plan entering the offseason’s biggest event, and they stuck to it. Related Full list of Colts 2019 NFL Draft class There is a lot to take in with the Colts’ draft class from this weekend. We won’t truly know how the players will pan out simply from where they were selected, but there will be projections. Here are six takeaways from the Colts’ 2019 NFL draft: Chris Ballard stuck to his word on trades Though it shouldn’t come as a major surprise, Ballard was wheeling and dealing throughout all three days. He moved back, traded up and even acquired an extra pick for a player. The first trade came in Round 1 when the Colts moved back to No. 46 adding a 2020 second-rounder in the exchange. Then, from No. 46, they moved back three spots in a trade with the Browns and picked up an extra fifth-round pick. Ballard made a rare move trading two fourth-round picks to the Raiders to grab safety Khari Willis. That shows just how much they valued him in this draft. They then traded defensive tackle Hassan Ridgeway to the Eagles for a seventh-round pick.<doc-sep>INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - DECEMBER 01: Parris Campbell Jr. #21 of the Ohio State Buckeyes runs the ball against the Northwestern Wildcats in the fourth quarter at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 01, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) Now that the NFL Draft is officially over, it’s time to grade how the Colts did with their multitude of picks. The NFL Draft is officially behind us. It was a long three days, but teams were busy trying to make themselves an improved team. The Colts seemed to have a very specific agenda in mind. They used the majority of their picks on defensive players. Except one of their three second round picks, the Colts used every pick on a defensive player until the seventh round. They clearly thought that’s where the most improvement needed to happen on their roster, so they decided upgrade it as much as possible. The only skill player they drafted was wide receiver Parris Campbell in the second round. He is a really good fit for this offense and will thrive off of the rub routes that team loves to run. Crossing routes are where he excels so he can use his speed in the open field. Overall Grade: B+ While they did go heavy on the defense, they got some good players on that side of the ball. Rock Ya-Sin should be in a fight for a starting corner position, and Khari Willis adds some much needed depth at the safety position. Safety and receiver were the two biggest positions of need, and the Colts addressed them. They did go a little heavy on the defensive line and at linebacker though. It felt like they could have added some depth along the offensive line sooner than the seventh round as well. But, based on his track record, you have to trust what Chris Ballard has been able to do on draft day.<doc-sep>NFL Draft 2019: Colts' scouts explain the picks NFL Draft 2019: Colts' scouts explain the picks 2019 NFL Draft: Colts Chris Ballard breaks down his draft picks The Colts general manager provides details on the process of selecting players in the 2019 draft 10 Thoughts On Colts 2019 Draft Class | 1070 the Fan The Colts made 10 selections in the 2019 Draft. Here are 10 thoughts on the Colts new group of draftees. Colts’ defensive draft creates depth for the first time in years – The Athletic “There is nothing that makes you better than having people compete for spots and we are starting to get that," Colts GM Chris Ballard said. Colts’ draft: a pick-by-pick breakdown | FOX59 INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – A capsule look at the Indianapolis Colts’ 10-player haul from the NFL Draft: ROUND 2 (34 overall, from NY Jets) Rock Ya-Sin, CB, Temple About Ya-Sin: Spent three seasons at Presbyterian College before transferring to Temple for the 2018 season. Frank Reich makes his mark on Colts’ 2019 draft with selection of receiver Parris Campbell Coach​ Frank Reich typically​ plays the​ role​ of the​ good soldier at Indianapolis​ Colts headquarters. General manager​ Chris Ballard, Reich often​ emphasizes,​​ has the final say on personnel. Reich happily falls in line, coaches the players he’s given and manages to make it all work. But Friday evening, that version of the story didn’t feel entirely believable... ‘Buzz’ in latest draft created by additions to Colts’ defense | FOX59 INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – Once again, there was a buzz in the hallways at the Indianapolis Colts’ northwest side headquarters as another NFL Draft lumbered through seven rounds, 254 selections, three days and 14 hours, 14 minutes. It simply came from a different area. Colts' defensive remake continues with 2019 draft There are only three defensive players remaining who were on the roster before Ballard got hired: Clayton Geathers, Matthias Farley and Chris Milton Rock Ya-Sin Immediately Boosts Competition In Colts’ Secondary The Indianapolis Colts used the 34th overall selection in the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft on Temple defensive back Rock Ya-Sin. The up-and-coming cornerback is ready to join the Colts’ young, energetic defense. 2019 NFL Draft: Colts gamble by using fifth-round pick on Tarleton State's E.J. Speed The Colts hadn't heard of E.J. Speed six weeks before the draft. They selected him in the fifth round. Gerri Green: ‘I Come Out To Work Every Day’ Defensive end Gerri Green, the Indianapolis Colts’ sixth-round (199th-overall) pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, held his first media conference call on Saturday. What did he have to say about his game? Javon Patterson Brings ‘Quick And Powerful’ Approach To Colts’ O-Line Center Javon Patterson, the Indianapolis Colts’ seventh-round (246th-overall) pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, held his first media conference call on Saturday. What did he have to say about his game? Surprised To Land In Indy, Jackson Barton ‘Excited’ For Opportunity With Colts Tackle Jackson Barton, the Indianapolis Colts’ seventh-round (240th-overall) pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, held his first media conference call on Saturday. What did he have to say about his game? Colts Plan To Pick Up Ryan Kelly’s Fifth-Year Option Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard on Saturday said the team plans to exercise the fifth-year option on center Ryan Kelly’s rookie contract. The Colts have until May 3 to officially make the move. Jim Irsay Colts Notebook: Owner Promises Another Super Bowl Trophy For Indy | 1070 the Fan During the final day of the 2019 NFL Draft, Colts Owner Jim Irsay sat down with the media to discuss a variety of topics about his football team. What did Irsay have to say? Another Colts’ Super Bowl parade? Jim Irsay: It will happen | FOX59 INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – Jim Irsay’s ultimate goal hasn’t changed. Never will. He’s the owner who raised more than a few eyebrows when lamenting how his Indianapolis Colts cultivated just one Super Bowl championship during the Peyton Manning era. Colts will decide soon on whether to sign Chad Kelly – ProFootballTalk The post-draft news flood included an unexpected twist on Saturday, with a report from Tim Graham of TheAthletic.com that the Colts expressed interest in signing updrafted Central Connecticut quarterback Jake Dolegala, but decided not to because they plan to sign Chad Kelly. Yes, Chad Kelly.<doc-sep>
How will the Colts use their picks in the 2019 NFL draft? We're breaking down every selection below. The Indianapolis Colts rebuilding process took several steps in the right direction after the team finished 10–6 in 2018, one year after the Colts finished 4–12. Despite starting the season 1–5, the Colts won five straight games through November and nine of ten to finish out the season. Indianapolis defeated the Houston Texans 21–7 on the road before falling 31–13 against the Kansas City Chiefs in the divisional round. Andrew Luck is back and healthy, and with a group of young talent returning next season, the Colts will look to the draft to further their progress in 2019. In last year's draft, the Colts selected Quenton Nelson out of Notre Dame with the sixth-overall pick. Nelson was named First Team All-Pro for his role on an offensive line that allowed the fewest sacks in the NFL (18) last season. How will they use their picks in this year's NFL draft? We’re breaking down every selection below. Here's the full list of picks the Colts hold in the 2019 draft, which will be updated as each selection is made. Round 2, Pick 2 (No. 34 overall): Rock Ya-Sin, CB, Temple Andy Benoit's grade: A- Colts defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus believes you cannot draft a corner high if that corner cannot play man-to-man. Fortunately, Ya-Sin did that often and effectively at Temple. He’s more of a mirroring style cover artist than physical press defender, which makes him a nice complement to unsung hero Pierre Desir, who can travel with plus-sized No. 1 receivers. With Kenny Moore in the slot, Indy has three high-level corners, which only helps Ebeflus continue to expand his scheme. Round 2, Pick 17 (No. 49 overall): Ben Banogu, DE, TCU Andy Benoit's grade: B Banogu adds value to an important position in Indy’s zone-oriented scheme. The team can’t count on getting away with a feeble pass rush again in 2019 like they did for much of ’18. Adding ex-Chief Justin Houston in what’s likely a 30-snaps-a-game role was a good first step, but they still needed this second step, especially since the jury is out on last year’s second-round defensive ends, Kemoko Turay and Tyquan Lewis. Stunts and D-line slants are critical to Indy’s pass rush approach, so Banogu’s success will be largely determined by how well he can move at angles. Round 2, Pick 27 (No. 59 overall): Parris Campbell, WR, Ohio State Andy Benoit's grade: B+ Campbell is a fast, multidimensional playmaker who can be plugged into a gadget role and expand Indy’s offensive designs. If he builds on the route-running improvement that he teased in the pre-draft process, he could be a serviceable starter if Chester Rogers and Devin Funchess hit free agency next year. Round 3, Pick 25 (No. 89 overall): Bobby Okereke, LB, Stanford Andy Benoit's grade: B Behind Darius Leonard and Anthony Walker, the Colts struggled at No. 3 linebacker spot, which was often manned by Matthew Adams. Opponents at times went with two tight ends so they could deliberately attack Adams in coverage. Some might question whether Okereke, at 240 pounds, is stout enough to be a No. 3 base linebacker, but in Indy’s scheme, quickness is most critical in that position. Round 4, Pick 7 (No. 109 overall): Khari Willis, SS, Michigan St. Round 5, Pick 6 (No. 144 overall): Marvell Tell III, S, USC Round 5, Pick 26 (No. 164 overall): E.J. Speed, LB, Tarleton St. Round 6, Pick 26 (No. 199 overall): Gerri Green, DE, Mississippi St. Round 7, Pick 26 (No. 240 overall): Jackson Barton, T, Utah Round 7, Pick 32 (No. 246 overall): Javon Patterson, G, Ole Miss See every NFL team's 2019 picks by clicking the links below. Arizona Cardinals | Atlanta Falcons | Baltimore Ravens | Buffalo Bills | Carolina Panthers | Chicago Bears | Cincinnati Bengals | Cleveland Browns | Dallas Cowboys | Denver Broncos | Detroit Lions | Green Bay Packers | Houston Texans | Indianapolis Colts | Jacksonville Jaguars | Kansas City Chiefs | Los Angeles Chargers | Los Angeles Rams | Miami Dolphins | Minnesota Vikings | New England Patriots | New Orleans Saints | New York Giants | New York Jets | Oakland Raiders | Philadelphia Eagles | Pittsburgh Steelers | San Francisco 49ers | Seattle Seahawks | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Tennessee Titans | Washington Redskins