The Indianapolis Colts weren't able to get their hands on a safety until the fourth round of the 2015 NFL Draft, when they used the 109th pick on Central Florida's Clayton Geathers. And while Geathers played relatively well, collecting 34 tackles and one pass defensed and doing just enough that the Colts probably have him penciled in at one of their two starting safety spots for next season, it sure sounds like Indy may make another addition to the position early on during the 2016 NFL Draft.
Interestingly, it also sounds like certain members of the Colts believe they missed out on the safety/cornerback they should have nabbed last year.
Per a recent report, the Colts "really like" Boise State safety Darian Thompson. Thompson has been climbing up draft boards in recent weeks as teams become enamored with his size - 6-foot-2, 208-pounds - and production - 19 interceptions during his Broncos career.
Thompson is a quality prospect, though his coverage instincts are a little lacking, and it wouldn't be surprising to see Colts GM Ryan Grigson try to pair him with veteran Mike Adams or utilize him in a kind of hybrid linebacker/nickel role.
Part of the reason Indianapolis defensive coaching staff is falling hard for Thompson though, is the fact that they apparently missed out on the guy they really wanted in the first round of last year's draft - then-Arizona State corner Damarious Randall.
Now, if you look back at the 2015 draft, you'll see that the Colts actually chose one selection before Randall went to the Green Bay Packers, taking Miami wide receiver Phillip Dorsett. It's likely that, assuming the report is accurate, the Colts coaching staff fell in love with the player, but come draft day, value trumped need for Grigson.
That's admirable, but it didn't amount to much for Indianapolis, as Dorsett contributed all of 18 receptions for 225 yards and a lone touchdown, while Randall saw steadily increasing playing time for the postseason-bound Packers and finished the regular season with 58 tackles and 3 interceptions, then added 11 tackles and one interception in the Pack's two playoff games.
In the end though, what could have been is not important.
What is, is that the Colts are apparently high on Thompson. Considering he's a big guy with a physical demeanor, that would create an interesting pairing with Adams, who has filled more of a strong safety role the past two seasons. Really, Thompson seems to fit a similar mold as Geathers and Adams, who are both rugged players and bring physicality to the position first and foremost.
Any combination of the three, assuming Geathers takes another step forward and Thompson's skills translate well to the league, could be effective for the Colts, especially as the now 35-year-old Adams enters the final year of his two-year deal.
