With the 2011 regular season freshly over it is time to go back and evaluate every team’s draft classes based on performance this year. I will use a formula to grade each pick and calculuate a final grade for each team. The team that holds the keys to Andrew Luck’s future are up today.
ROUND 1 – graded from a 0-5 scale
ROUND 2 – graded from a 0-4 scale
ROUND 3 – graded from a 0-3 scale
ROUND 4 – graded from a 0-2 scale
ROUND 5 – graded from a 0-1 scale
ROUND 6 & 7 – no scale, point awarded if player was productive
*I reserve the right to award a bonus point to any player who outperformed their draft position.*
FINAL GRADING SCALE
90-100 – A
80-89 - B
70-79 - C
60 – 69 - D
0-59 - F
2011 Draft Class
Round 1: Anthony Castonzo OT, Boston College – 12 Games Started
Analysis: Castonzo started 12 games for the Colts and appears to be well worth the 22nd overall pick.
Grade: 4.5/5
Round 2: Ben Ijalana OT, Villanova – 4 Games Played
Analysis: Ijalana was playing his way into a starting spot before going down for the year with an injury.
Grade: 1/2 (scale reduced due to injury)
Round 3: Drake Nevis DT, LSU – 19 Tackles
Analysis: Nevis was playing real well for the Colts, but suffered a back injury in week 4. He tried playing through it but wasn’t the same, and eventually was put on I.R. in early December.
Grade: 2/3
Round 4: Delone Carter RB, Syracuse – 377 Rushing Yds, 2 TDs, 5 Receptions 18 Yds
Analysis: Carter got plenty of playing time but he had problems holding onto the ball and was often ineffective. That being said, he did contribute a few scores and a few starts so that gives him some points.
Grade: 1.5/2
Round 6: Chris Rucker CB, Michigan St. – 36 Tackles
Analysis: Rucker appeared in 15 games and made 4 starts. He played pretty well overall and the Colts got great value out of their 6th round pick.
Grade: 1/0
Undrafted: Joe Lefeged S, Rutgers – 34 Tackles, 2 INTs
Analysis: Lefeged appeared in all 16 games and started one of those at safety. He was the Colts primary kick returner having racked up nearly 600 return yards. His role increased as the season wore on and he turned into quite the find.
Grade: 1/0
TOTAL SCORE: 11/12
FINAL GRADE: 92% A -
Analysis: The Colts really had a great 2011 Draft Class and it would have been even better in year one if it wasn’t for injuries. I love when a team identifies a weakness heading into the draft and then uses high picks to fix it. That is what the Colts did with their offensive line and now have long term starters at left tackle and guard in Costanzo and Ijalana. Drake Nevis also had a great start to his season but was derailed with a back injury after the first month and couldn’t get healthy. Delone Carter was a slight disappointment as his fumbling issues cost him some opportunities. They also found some late round gems in Chris Rucker and undrafted safety Joe Lefeged. Both of these guys should see a lot more playing time in year two.
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