SB Nation Writers Mock Draft: Round 2, Pick #61

Apr 18, 2009, 4:00 PM UTC

No. 61

INDIANAPOLIS
COLTS
Pick by Stampede Blue

Derrick Williams
Wide receiver
Penn State

After getting a much-needed defensive tackle in the first round, BigBlueShoe of Stampede Blue is back up.

After the Colts parted ways with the great Marvin Harrison this off-season, a hole was created at the WR position. Yes, two first round players (Reggie Wayne and Anthony Gonzalez) occupy the starting WR spots, and the Colts have a first round-selected TE in Dallas Clark. They also have first round-selected Joseph Addai at running back, and several young receivers like Roy Hall and Pierre Garcon (who were drafted in 2007 and 2008, respectively). But if you know the Colts, you know their draft formula usually involves getting the best talent at the skill positions available. Why give the best QB in football, and the reigning MVP, mediocre talent at WR? It's a formula that has produced six straight 12-win seasons, a Super Bowl, and a butt load of other accolades.

Thus, when I see a solid WR prospect like Derrick Williams still sitting there late into the second round, I’m going to take him. His 40 time at the Combine might have been an error (4.58) as he ran a 4.37 at his Pro Day. He is very fast, blocks well in the running game (very important aspect for WRs in the Colts offense) and has top intangibles. Where he needs a little work is route-running. He doesn’t seem to be “lazy” or disinterested in honing his craft, which is a big plus for Williams. Guys like Reggie Wayne and Peyton Manning will work him ragged, forcing him to clean up his routes and hone his pass catching. Mount Manning often explodes when his passes are dropped.

The Colts could fit him in as a slot receiver (Gonzalez is a better flanker than slot receiver), and also have him return kicks. All in all, he is a hard-working kid with loads of talent that needs a little refining. What better place to do that than Indy?

MTD thoughts: I like this pick and not just because the Colts offense is built around three-receiver sets. Williams would give Indianapolis a gadget kind of player, which the team hasn't really experimented with in the past. Plus, Williams can handle punt and kickoff return duties.