11mo
Photo: Sports Illustrated
With the combine wrapping up this past weekend in Indianapolis, Draft Nation decided to take
a look at four prospects who fit the Chris Ballard late round player mold. Elite testers, small
school standouts, team captains, and Senior Bowl participants are all variables that Ballard has
historically considered. Going into his eighth season as the Colts general manager, many of his
tendencies are well known, and therefore Draft Nation feels confident that at least one of these
players will end up dawning the horseshoe next Fall.
Jaylon Carlies - S/LB Missouri
There's been talk about Carlies potentially converting from his collegiate safety position to
linebacker. The Tiger safety is known for being a linear athlete who struggles to cover in the
backend, so a transition to linebacker makes sense.
As offenses continue to evolve, the college game continues to produce uber athletic tight ends
that require bigger, faster linebackers to cover them. Carlies is likely a round five or six player
that could sit behind Zaire Franklin and EJ Speed for a few years to hone in on the nuances of
the linebacker position, while contributing on special teams.
Ballard has a knack for drafting productive linebackers, and Jaylon Carlies could be in line to be
the next one. The position switch seems more favorable when comparing Carlie’s relative
athletic score (RAS) to EJ Speed’s. The arm length is one measurement that will likely intrigue
Ballard.
https://x.com/guiley_jack/status/1764767781629591941?s=20
(Credit to @MathBomb on Twitter for his RAS metric)
Nick Gargiulo - OC South Carolina
The Colts could take a shot at a mid/late round center to eventually replace the aging Ryan
Kelly. Kelly still could have several Pro Bowl level years left in his tank, however Indianapolis
should still look to upgrade their interior line depth.
Gargiulo is exactly the type of player that Ballard falls in love with in the later rounds. Projected
to go in the sixth or seventh round, the former South Carolina center only spent one year as a
Gamecock. He began his college playing career at Yale, where he was named a team captain in
2022. Then in 2023 during his only year at South Carolina, Gargiulo was again named a captain.
Additionally, the center prospect won the offensive toughness award with the Gamecocks.
To put a bow on it, Gargiulo had a fantastic day at the Combine. Again using @MathBomb on
Twitter/X’s RAS metric, Gargiulo tested like an elite athlete.
https://x.com/MathBomb/status/1764687760210694415?s=20
He also displayed impressive versatility, starting at center for five games this year and spending
seven at left guard. At Yale, he played center and left tackle. This is a Chris Ballard guy through
and through.
Ryan Watts - DB Texas
If Jaylon Carlies is a safety that should convert to linebacker, then Ryan Watts is a cornerback
that could make a fantastic free safety. Watts has exceptional arm length and size, but not the
short area quickness desired to stick with shifty receivers. He could be an immediate special
teams contributor, and eventually even a plus starter at safety with his cornerback background
and physicality in the run game. This is a player the Colts will likely target in the fifth round.
Earlier than most projections, but Ballard tends to bet on athletes.
https://x.com/MathBomb/status/1763747338416189707?s=20
Jalyx Hunt - DE Houston Christian
The Colts drafted Titus Leo in the 6th round last year out of Wagner. Jalyx Hunt fits the same
type of profile as an undersized, raw, small school pass rusher with lots of room for growth.
Defensive end talent is becoming an increasingly valuable commodity, so players with Hunt’s
profile will get pushed up the draft board more dramatically.
Dane Brugler recently mentioned on the Prospects to Pros podcast that the Houston Christian
defender could go as early as the third round. That may seem a little rich, but if Brugler said it,
then an area scout probably mentioned they had a late day 2 grade on him. If Hunt is there with
the Colts fourth round pick, it shouldn’t surprise Colts fans if Chris Ballard pulled the trigger.
The more darts thrown at the proverbial pass rusher dart board, the greater chance there is at
finding a gem.
Marc Dykton3d
Draft Nation Staff5d
Draft Nation Team5d
Draft Nation Staff1w
Draft Nation Staff1w
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