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Sunday, April 26, 2009

Powers taken by Colts in third round

Now here's s surprise: Former Auburn cornerback Jerraud Powers was selected in the third round of Day 2 of the NFL Draft by the Indianapolis Colts with the 92nd overall pick.

Powers, who skipped his senior season to enter the draft, was expected to go much later in the draft.

Powers fought through some injuries last season to finish with 47 tackles and two interceptions.

Still waiting to see where OG Tyronne Green goes. I'll have another update when it happens.

UPDATE: Just checked out Powers' Scouts Inc. profile on ESPN.com. He got his highest marks in production, character and ball skills (attacking the ball, natural hands). He got his lowest mark in run support (doesn't always shed blocks quickly). There are also questions about his closing burst and recognition skills/toughness.

Here's a partial analysis from ESPN.com: "Powers does a good job staying low in his backpedal and does an adequate, but not great, job of opening his hips when he's forced to turn and run. He's also strong enough to re-route receivers at the line of scrimmage, but he doesn't always play with enough of an edge."

UPDATE: Just checked into the Colts' situation in the secondary. They have three cornerbacks on the roster who started last year — Kelvin Hayden (10 starts, 62 tackles, 3 INT), Marlin Jackson (7 starts, 57 tackles) and Tim Jennings (12 starts, 74 tackles, 1 INT). Another, Keiwan Ratliff (4 starts, 32 tackles, 2 INT) signed as a free agent with the Steelers in the offseason.

Jackson, a four-year veteran from Michigan, went on injured reserve with a knee injury for the second half of the season.

Other cornerbacks include Dante Hughes (third year, California), Nick Graham (third year, Tulsa), T.J. Rushing (fourth year, Stanford), Michael Coe (third year, Alabama State) and Brandon Sumrall (first year, Southern Miss).

All in all, it doesn't look like a bad situation for Powers. With Ratliff out of the mix and Jackson coming back from a major knee injury, it appears like Powers should have an opportunity to get some playing time early on.

UPDATE: Here's a post form a live chat from Colts beat writer Mike Chappell of the Indianapolis Star about the Powers pick: "It wasn't a surprise the Colts addressed their defense with their third-round pick. But it might have been a surprise they opted for Jerraud Powers, a cornerback out of Auburn. Starters Kelvin Hayden and Marlin Jackson return, as do key backups Tim Jennings and Dante Hughes. Team president Bill Polian, though, always goes with the best player, regardless of position. Powers is a 5-10, 192-pounder who will provide a physical presence and more depth. The pick should light a fire under Jennings, a 2006 second-round pick, and Hughes, a 2007 third-rounder. Neither has fulfilled expectations, especially Hughes."

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