NFL.com rates the Colts as having the worst draft amongst the AFC South

The site has the Colts losing ground in the AFC South after the draft.

After fourteen straight selections on the offensive side of the ball, the Indianapolis Colts chose the top rated defender on their board, making Laiatu Latu out of UCLA the fifteenth overall pick. Even with that great stroke of luck, NFL.com doesn’t feel the Colts nailed the draft, assigning them the worst grade in the AFC South.

The Colts received a B+, B, and A- for their day one, two, and three grades for an overall B+. Here is what Chad Reuter had to say.

Analysis: Latu was the most consistent pass rusher in the draft class and will be productive if the neck injury he suffered while at Washington is not an issue moving forward. The team found a potential steal in Mitchell, provided his game matures, while trading down for two Day 3 picks. Trading up for Gonclaves seemed unnecessary, though he should be at least a solid swing tackle; he’s been recovering from a foot injury but said after the draft that he feels 100%.

Bortolini looks like Ryan Kelly’s heir apparent; he also has the experience, strength and athleticism to play guard until needed in the middle. Gould brings real value as a returner, especially with the new kickoff rules. Carlies moves from safety to linebacker for the Colts. Simpson could man corner or safety; the athletic defender played both spots in college. Abraham is the son of former NFL player Donnie Abraham and a tough-minded corner in his own right, but the team is still looking for depth at edge.

Although not drastically superior, the other three teams in the division walked away with an A-. While grading drafts is impossible and usually even a pointless exercise, fans always want to feel and believe that their team crushed it. Seeing the Colts receive a middling grade doesn’t necessarily sit well. To be fair, though, we live in a world in which Shaquille Leonard was seen as one of the worst picks while other sites gave the selection of Patrick Mahomes a C, so take these grades with a huge grain of salt.

The tradition of draft season continues. First, the mock drafts take over. Then, the draft grades make the rounds. Both are fun, but don’t mean much at the end of the day. The only thing that matters is when the players take the field. Check back in three to four years. Let’s see if these grades still hold water or if we can look at them and laugh.