2011 NFL Mock Draft: Colts Taking Corey Liuget, DT From Illinois

When we last checked in with SB Nation’s weekly NFL Mock Drafts two weeks, Corey Liuget was identified as a strong possibility to be the Indianapolis Colts’ first round pick in the 2011 NFL Draft. In the latest iteration, the defensive tackle out of Illinois is still pegged as the guy they believe Bill Polian will have his eye on when the Colts pick at No. 22.

Here’s the explanation:

22. Indianapolis Colts: Corey Liuget, DT, Illinois. Offensive tackle is still a distinct possibility for the Colts, but Liuget is such a perfect fit for them defensively that it’s tough to let him slide beyond this pick.

Each year, certain players are thought to be just absolute perfect fits for a particular team. This year, prime examples seemingly included Mark Ingram to the Dolphins, Liuget to the Colts, and perhaps even Julio Jones to the Rams. But things never shake out as expected do they? That's a long way of saying stay tuned and expect the unexpected over the course of the next month and when the 2011 NFL Draft finally convenes in New York City in late April.

For more NFL Draft discussion and analysis, check in at Stampede Blue, Mocking the Draft, and SB Nation’s NFL hub.

Based on his three years of success at the University of Illinois, defensive tackle Corey Liuget would be an excellent fit for the Colt's cover two defense. As an Illini, Liuget was a disruptive force as an interior defensive lineman, using his explosive speed to break into the backfield.

Liugets strength in college has always been in the pass rush, as can be demonstrated in his fantastic performances against Indiana's Ben Chappell and Baylor's Robert Griffin III. Liuget's ability to generate a pass rush in a three technique would be a great fit for the Colts' cover two defense.

Liuget has great speed for a lineman, and with that speed he should be attractive to a lot of NFL scouts, and his performances in off season workouts has led to his sudden rise in profile, having been a questionable second rounder when he decided to forgo his senior season for the NFL.

Liuget seems to me to be somewhat comparable to the Bears now former defensive tackle Tommie Harris, with a similar height and build, but without any history of injury, but it is unclear at this point if Liuget can reach the heights that Harris did in his rookie year.

That speed and size was a difference maker for the Fighting Illii defensive line this past season, as can be seen in this scout video.

It’s Monday, and that means the Mock Draft mad scientist that is Brian Gailiford at SB Nation has his first round mock up, ready for vultures like us to dissect and devour it.

For the Colts at pick No. 22, little has changed in Gailiford’s opinion on what he thinks the Colts should do:

22. Indianapolis Colts: Corey Liuget, DT, Illinois. There are a couple of tackles – Smith and Solder, to be specific – that Bill Polian should consider if they’re available here. With both of those guys gone, defensive tackle should be the focus – and Liuget’s size and athleticism make him a very strong fit up front for the Colts.

If you go back through these mock draft updates, you’ll see that every single one has the Colts taking either a DT or a left tackle in round one.

It’s worth noting that, in his entire tenure as president (now ‘vice chairman’) of the Indianapolis Colts, Bill Polian has never drafted a left tackle or a defensive tackle with a first round pick.

Still, that doesn’t mean Gailiford’s mock doesn’t have merit. He’s more focused on who the Colts should draft, not who they will draft.

With the NFL Scouting Combine wrapped up, it’s time to adjust mock drafts based on what we saw in Indianapolis over the past week.

The Defensive Line of the Colts has struggled mightily against the run over the years, mostly because Colts Vice Chairman Bill Polian tends to prefer lower-round Defensive Tackles, rather than spending those precious high-round picks on giant run stoppers. The newest SB Nation Mock Draft has the Colts changing their tune, drafting DT Corey Liuget from Illinois:

It’s easy to pencil an OT in here, but DT remains a need in Indy, as ever, and Liuget looks the part as a potentially elite interior defensive lineman. He’s got the quickness and anchor ability to be an outstanding two-way defender for a Colts team that’s long needed more beef.

NFL Network’s Mike Mayock talked up Liuget when he took questions from the media Sunday evening, and would be an immediate starter on a struggling Colts defensive line.

As far as Offensive Tackles go, Gabe Carimi from Wisconsin and Derek Sherrod of Mississippi State are still on the board for the Colts pick at #22.

The Colts had a below-average season, at least by their elevated standards. They made the playoffs, but got bounced in the first round. There are a lot of positions on the field where they can improve to change that result. SB Nation has been rolling out first-round mock drafts for a while now, but it just came out with its first two-round mock draft of the year. It has the Colts adding two very talented prospects on the offensive and defensive lines. In the first round, it has the Colts taking Colorado OT Nate Solder. Here is its rationale.

There's little question that Solder is the most talented lineman available this year; his lack of physicality would be masked in Indy's pass-first offense.

It isn't often that you get the draft's top tackle prospect this late in the first round. And Solder would be a good fit for the Colts finesse offense. Simply put, Solder is a huge human being. He might not be an ideal fit other teams, but he would work with the Colts. In the second round, they have the Colts adding an equally talented prospect to the defensive line, UNC's Marvin Austin.

No, this isn't your typical Indy character fit, but the need and the talent converge to make this one of the best value picks in this scenario.

Austin was a top-10 pick coming into this year, but had to miss a lot of time due to eligibility issues. But he is among the most talented defensive line prospects in the draft, and if he keeps his head on straight, could be a great fit in the Colts' 4-3 defense.

Super Bowl XLV is done and in the books. This means we know that the Pittsburgh Steelers will be drafting at the no. 31 spot in the first round while the World Champion Green Bay Packers are at no. 32.

With this new information in hand, SB Nation now has its first post-Super Bowl mock draft up and ready.

For the Indianapolis Colts, SB Nation’s Brian Galliford thinks their strategy will change very little now that the festivities in Dallas are complete.

22. Indianapolis Colts: Derek Sherrod, OT, Mississippi State. Indy’s left tackle position has been a crapshoot since Tarik Glenn left the team, and as awesome as Peyton Manning is, the Colts won’t be Super Bowl-ready until they do more in front of him. Sherrod has the quicks and the experience to start right away.

 

Though the Colts offensive line allowed few sacks last year, it was clearly a major weakness for the team, especially when one looks at the rushing stats. Upgrading the unit by infusing fresh, reliable talent should be priority no. 1 for Bill Polian and the Colts brain trust during the 2011 offseason.

With the divisional rounds completed in the playoffs, the draft order for picks 25-28 are set. Brian Galliford of SBNation.com has put together a pretty solid mock draft based on this updated arrangement, along with the news that Stanford’s Andrew Luck is staying in school his senior year.

For the Indianapolis Colts, Galliford mocks the following:

22. Indianapolis Colts (10-6): Stephen Paea, DT, Oregon State. It seems as if we’re talking about the Colts’ need to improve at defensive tackle every year. 2011 is no different, and if the team has a shot to take Oregon State’s Stephen Paea, they shouldn’t hesitate for a second. Paea is incredibly strong – so much so that 3-4 teams are looking at him as a nose guard – and athletic enough for Indy’s defensive system. This is a perfect fit.