I do not expect to see too many entries until closer to the time that Goodell opens the draft, but some will not trust themselves to remember later and decide to enter while they are thinking about it. I also understand that time zones could effect when a person has the opportunity to make their picks. I will go ahead and give mine with the first comment, as an example of how entries will look. Many entries will keep their picks until crunch time, so that no one steals their sleepers. Remember, most have read the reviews as well.

Once you have made your selections, avoid comments until the draft has officially started. From there, feel free thump your chest with victories, or let off some steam about how “I had that guy and replaced him with this guy.”

This will serve as Contest Central, until I have had a chance to tabulate the entries and post the results on another article. I chose a picture that you might be able to easily find, should you want to check out how you are matching up. There will be articles about who has been selected and who is available, so this may not stay on the main page very long. There is a lot of content during this long weekend and we all want to know how the Colts’ selections fit into the plans for the coming year.

The rules are pretty simple. Submit 10 names that you believe will be acquired by the Colts, during the draft process. Put the player’s name, position and school. ****The draft process WILL NOT include UDFAs.**** No entries will count that come in after the Commish opens the draft. Just getting your picks in before the Colts pick, will not count, as you have had the luxury of seeing names go off the board. Numbering the picks might aid you in making sure that you have 10. Entries with more than 10 will be disqualified, unless I catch it and inform you, and it is changed prior to the start of the draft.

No need to put the round that you expect your player to be taken, as all correct names count the same. You are not limited to drafted players. If you have a belief that the Colts might use a pick to obtain a player from another team, you can put that player’s name down. i.e. Greenard? I don’t expect many to go that route, but it would be allowed if the trade happens within the time frame of the draft.

*Tie-breaker* At the bottom of your selections, you will guess what percentage of the entries will list 0 (zero) correct names. Closest wins, you may go over. For example, If there are 30 entries, and 6 of them do not pick a single player correctly, that would mean 20% got 0 correct. A 21% guess would beat an 18% guess. I will try to review entries and let you know that you have omitted a tie-breaker. If you add it to your entry before draft time, it will be allowed. Omitting your tie-breaker will see you lose to anyone who did as instructed.

I understand that many will want to explain their rationale for each pick, but let’s keep that to a minimum. There is no need to post a guy’s entire scouting report, or add a link to his name so that everyone can see his highlight reel. (if someone asks for it, sure, hook them up) Do not do comparisons! It is just another name that I have to interpret whether it is a pick or not. You are not being graded on your insight, just your results. Put the player’s name, position and school, just in case there are players with the same name out there.

If your player description runs on to the next line, it is too much. If you want to detail your picks, do it at the end of your selections, where those who are not interested can blow off reading it and I don’t have to sort through it to find out how many you guessed correctly. Got it? Good.

As for strategy, it varies. Some would load up trying to get the early picks right. This can work if it only takes a couple of correct picks to win. Some attack the positions of need hard. Some like some balance along the depth of the draft, hoping to have a dog in the fight each time we pick. It could be a little different this year without a first round pick and the uncertainty of whether we trade out of pick 47.

Now if you are not concerned what yet another fan feels about the upcoming draft, you may divert your attention back to the task of listing your players. However, I will give you some thoughts anyway. I mean why not? I watch draft specials, read content, listen to the occasional podcast and even watch some highlights! Don’t let the fact that I seldom watch a college football game from start to finish dissuade you from believing that I know exactly what I am talking about.

So, in one rando’s opinion, I do not see the matchup for trading out 47 for additional picks. Last year showed that every team had weaknesses and that the Seahawks managed theirs for a month, better than the rest. So, along with not seeing anyone remaining at 47 that inspires “Love”, I do not think that teams will trade quantity for quality. Now, does that mean that I am sure that we are picking at 47? I can’t say that for sure. We are looking for a fastball and if that pick helps secure a proven one, just say yes. Not an older guy that we only get for a year, but a team with a desirable player that has cap issues or a crowded room, come talk to us. We may even send you a QB or a slot DB to get the deal done.

If we make the pick, it nearly has to be a LB or DE/Edge. Even if it is a 3rd down or passing down specialist. With the current 7 picks, I would say we take one pretty good swing at that DE/Edge. With the other 6 picks, give me two LBs or a LB/Safety hybrid. With the last 4 picks, I need a WR, an IOL, a RB and a ST ace. I’m usually closer on this than I am on my picks. If we did end up with more than 7 picks, I’d double dip on the OL and RBs.

As far as random player crushes, I think that Price might outpace his Irish running mate Love, when it comes to impact this coming season. Love likely goes to a bad team, while Price may be something like Seattle’s replacement for Walker. I also think that Howell and his short arms falls to us at 47, should we want him. I think we are going to get a Hoosier, but I do not know which one, so I won’t include one in my contest picks.

I will go to bed at a reasonable hour on a Thursday work night and be refreshed to deal with the kiddos on Friday. I actually do not mind that I will not hear the windbags for 15 minutes between each pick. I’m not worried about who wore what and could we just quit booing Goodell? I don’t love the guy either, but it is also not worth my energy to boo him every time he is on screen. I was able to give up saying “Wassup”, and the booing has run it’s course as well.

Lastly, I think we get a 4th rounder for AR. With only Mendoza and Simpson off the board after day 2, teams will start comparing AR to the uncertainty of the rookie QBs and oddly enough find him as more of a proven commodity. Yeah, it sounded weird when it came into my head as well. Anyway, I believe it’s time to move on, for all concerned.