No Logo Needed Mock Draft: 27th Pick

And the mock draft keeps rolling. Don't be surprised to see some players taken here in the next few picks that the Vikings are going to be considering on draft day. The Colts are on the clock looking to shore up their defense (when are they NOT looking to shore up their defense) and to possibly supply Peyton Manning with some more weapons on offense. Making the pick are the writers of 18 to 88.

With the 27th pick, the Indianapolis Colts select:

Peria Jerry, DT, Mississippi State

Bill Polian has an unblemished record of hitting on first round picks in Indianapolis. Every player he has taken has become a starter, if not an outright star. At the same time, many of his picks were roundly criticized at the time. Edge James wasn’t Ricky Williams. Dwight Freeney was too small and a reach. Reggie Wayne should have been passed over for a defender. The Colts do not draft for need, but always take the highest player available on the board. 2009 the rare exception where the Colts greatest need IS the highest player on the board. Polian has said publicly that he doubts the team will take a defensive tackle, primarily because history tells us that good DTs are off the board in the top 15 picks, and that the next ‘value slot’ is down around the 5th round. If Peria Jerry were to miraculously fall to 27, however, Polian would probably do a dance and happily select him. Jerry would be the perfect DT for the Colts system, as he is a disruptive tackle who makes plays in the backfield. His only negative is that he is slightly undersized (something the Colts simply do not worry about). Indy desperately needs a DT, but will not reach for a player just to fill a need. The results have been spectacular for the Colts this decade, and the selection of Jerry would cause widespread rejoicing among the Colt faithful.

A word of caution to Mr. Jerry: If selected he should immediately take out a large life insurance policy. The Colts are currently experiencing the “Curse of Corey Simon” when it comes to DTs. Indy has had a need for a top flight DT for 4 seasons now, but every time Polian addresses the need, something horrible happens to the player:

2005 Corey Simon is signed…one year later he is out of the league (chronic fatness)

2006 Montae Reagor is in a severe car accident and never plays for the Colts again

2007 Booger McFarland blows out a knee in training camp

2008 Ed Johnson is cut for refeer

2008 Quinn Pitcock decides to retire at the ripe old age of 23

2008 John McCargo fails a physical and is returned to Buffalo after a trade. He never plays with the Colts.