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A recap of the Indianapolis Colts 2009 NFL Draft
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The way Indianapolis Colts President Bill Polian saw it, the mission was accomplished in the 2009 NFL Draft.
Needs were filled. A dynamic player was secured.
The run offense was improved. And the run defense was, too.
Polian, entering his 12th season as the Colts' president this weekend, wrapped up his 12th draft with the team. As perhaps should have been expected, the Colts went with the unexpected early, selecting University of Connecticut running back Donald Brown with the No. 27 overall selection.
They then traded up in Round 2 for Southern Cal defensive tackle Fili Moala.
And while the selection of Moala along with Michigan defensive tackle Terrance Taylor signaled a change of philosophy for the Colts, there was more to the team's draft than the first day.
A glance at the Colts' 2009 NFL Draft:
* First round, No. 27 overall: Donald Brown (5-feet-10, 210 pounds), RB, Connecticut. He fits everything the Colts typically want in a first-rounder. Productive in college (a 2,000-yard rusher last season), a high character guy, big conference, offensive skill player, low risk. The Colts wanted to improve their running game and they let veteran RB Dominic Rhodes sign with the Bills in free agency, so this is probably an upgrade.
* Second round, No. 56 overall: Fili Moala (6-4, 203), DT, Southern Cal. The Colts traded with Miami to move up to No. 56. This was the first of two draft-weekend selections that signaled a change in philosophy for the Colts, a philosophy that centers on getting bigger on the defensive line interior.
* Third round, No. 92: Jerraud Powers (5-10, 192), CB, Auburn. A starter in his final two seasons at Auburn, he finished his career with six interceptions, playing in 36 games after red-shirting as a junior. Polian compared him to current Colts corner Kelvin Hayden.
* Fourth round, No. 127 overall: Austin Collie (6-1, 200), WR, Brigham Young. Polian compared him to former Colts WR Brandon Stokley. The Colts see Collie as a slot receiver, which could mean more time for third-year WR Anthony Gonzalez – originally drafted as a slot receiver – on the outside.
* Fourth round, No. 136 overall: Terrance Taylor (6-0, 320), DT, Michigan. Polian called him a prototypical nose tackle, another sign the Colts really want to get big up front on defense.
* Sixth round, No. 201 overall: Curtis Painter (6-4, 230), QB, Purdue. This surprised many people, but the Colts like Painter's talent and Polian said it's rare to have a quarterback be available so late in the draft with the skills mentally and physically to handle the Colts' offense.
* Seventh round, No. 222 overall: Pat McAfee (6-1, 220), P/K, West Virginia. A kickoff guy,placement specialist and punter in college, Polian said he has a real chance to win the Colts' punting job next season. He likely will replace the Colts' punter of the last 10 years, Hunter Smith, who is now with the Washington Redskins.
* Seventh round, No. 236 overall: Jaimie Thomas (6-4, 330), G, Maryland. A departure from what the Colts typically want from an offensive lineman, he's a big, physical lineman who is as big as most Colts tackles.
More on the Colts . . .
THE EXAMINER SERIES: Peyton Manning Top 10 underrated moments. * SPECIAL EXAMINER REPORT: BREAKING DOWN THE 2009 COLTS SCHEDULE
- P Hunter Smith signs with Redskins
- Colts sign C DeVan
- Colts had to do what they did with RB Dominic Rhodes
- Signing of S Matt Giordano solidifies position
- Colts not immune to Great Recession
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