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Champion Colts could make surprise pick in NFL draft

By Carlos "Big C" Holmes
Cox News Service
04/23/2007

There are some rumblings around the NFL that have the Indianapolis Colts seriously considering taking Hampton LB Justin Durant with the 32nd pick in the first-round of the upcoming draft April 28-29.

The Colts, who are without a second-round selection after trading the pick away to the Tampa Bay Bucs for DT Anthony McFarland, now find themselves looking to fill a major void at the linebacker position after LB Cato June signed a free agent contract with, of all teams, the Buccaneers.

The Colts are believed to be in search of an impact player on defense and may have their sights set on the small-school talent. At 6-foot-1, 230 pounds, Durant is almost a carbon copy of June and would fit in perfectly with the Colts on defense.

Dungy knows talent

Of course you have those who may think that the pick would be a bit of a reach, but Colts Head Coach Tony Dungy has an eye for talent and proved it in last year's draft when the team drafted a small-school gem in SS Antoine Beatha.

The Colts got first-round talent in the sixth-round when they selected Beatha, who started every game in which he played.

Word is the Colts have been pretty tight-lipped, as they usually are when it comes to the prospects they're interested in. But rumors are running rampant about the potential first-round shocker of the team selecting Durant.

Among top linebackers

On the other hand, maybe it's not such a shocker. ESPN's draft guru Mel Kiper Jr. has Durant listed as one of his top five linebackers entering the draft. What it comes down to is how much a team likes a player and apparently the Colts, as well as others, are fond of Durant.

Durant has soared up the draft board ever since his performance at the combine and the school's pro day. There are at least two teams, Bengals and Bears, who will be waiting to pull the trigger in the second-round for the overlooked and underrated linebacker.

Both teams worked the linebacker out and came away highly impressed. Giving the Colts all the reason to pounce on Durant in round one.

Only thing left now is to wait until draft day to see how things shake out.

• All you Mel Kiper wannabe's try your luck at Big C's Mock Draft contest... http://www.bigcprofootball.com/contest/