INDIANAPOLIS – And then there was one.
T.J. Green signed his rookie contract on Monday night, bringing the number to seven Colts' draft picks who have already finalized their first NFL deal.
Third-round pick Le'Raven Clark is the lone draftee yet to sign.
Back in the second-round of the 2016 NFL Draft, the Colts traded back nine spots.
Still waiting at pick No. 57 was the Clemson safety, making Chuck Pagano quite happy to have a rangy safety joining the backend of his defense.
Green's true defensive impact might not be seen in a starting capacity for another season (two-time Pro Bowler [Mike Adams is 35 years old and in the final season of his contract, with [Clayton Geathers
occupying the other starting safety spot).
When Green does get on the field, the Colts will have a sideline-to-sideline safety allowing defenses to be creative in front of a true centerfielder.
"In today's game, it's becoming more and more of a passing league and you have match up nightmares," Chuck Pagano said after selecting Green in Round Two. "So a guy like this, who's got length, size, over 210 pounds, runs a 4.34, he's going to be able to match up.
"He played in the slot and he has covered guys in the slot. They talk about having the skill set to play corner, he can go out and match up with longer, rangier guys – the big, athletic mismatch tight ends that we are seeing week in and week out. To get a guy with this guy's skill set and cover ability, it handles those problems because week in and week out and you are saying, 'Okay, who's going to take care of (Rob Gronkowski) Gronk this week and who's going to take care of this guy and the guys in our division?' This guy gives you a ton of position flexibility, not only playing first and second down stopping the run and cover tight ends and all that, but third down. Match up the way that he can match up, that's a bonus."
