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It's NFL draft month. So between now and when the first round begins, we will be highlighting prospects who could be of interest to the Indianapolis Colts.
Next up is Georgia linebacker Smael Mondon Jr.
Height: 6-022
Weight: 224
Relative Athletic Score (RAS): 9.42
Mondon has played over 1,600 defensive snaps between the last three seasons. Throughout his career, he has been a very reliable tackler, missing only 18 of his 231 attempts, according to PFF.
As a run defender, his grade from PFF took a big step forward during the 2024 season. Mondon was also an effective blitzer, recording 60 pressures and nine sacks in three seasons.
In coverage, he's shown the ability to eat up space, helping Mondon to limit yards after the catch (YAC). He has surrendered just 8.5 yards per catch over his career, including a career low 6.7 yards per reception this past year.
Mondon comes to the NFL with special teams experience, having played 427 total snaps across five of the six different phases.
The Colts need at the linebacker position is twofold. At the bare minimum, with Grant Stuard and EJ Speed now elsewhere, depth is needed at the position, not to mention that the Colts lost a core special teams contributor in Stuard.
But more importantly, with Speed in Houston, the starting linebacker role next to Zaire Franklin is available. Now, perhaps Jaylon Carlies can fill that role. GM Chris Ballard did speak very highly of him recently.
However, assuming a second-year player with just over 200 defensive snaps can step into the full-time starting role comes with risks and unknowns. This is the kind of assumption we saw Ballard make last offseason at other positions that did not pan out well for the Colts and led to Ballard calling his roster-building approach a mistake, while adding that he wanted to infuse competition throughout the roster this offseason.
I'm sure the hope is that Carlies can emerge and be relied on heavily. We know the Colts have a strong track record of developing the linebacker position. But the prudent move would be adding competition to that position.
In Lou Anarumo's defensive scheme, versatility at the linebacker position, not to mention added coverage ability to pair with Franklin, should be two elements on Ballard's radar.
For more on Mondon, here is what NFL.com's Lance Zierlein wrote in his scouting report:
"Mondon is physical and can run. He’s quick to flow downhill and challenge blocks with good pop. He’s inconsistent to diagnose and flow accurately to his fits, but he has good pursuit speed to range and tackle to the sidelines. He pursues the action with focus and leverage. Mondon becomes tackle-ready quickly in space. He’s effective on passing downs with good coverage and blitz talent. The run game instincts could slow him early in his career, but he’s a battle-tested, three-down option with special teams value and starting potential."
This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: Colts 2025 NFL draft: Previewing Georgia LB Smael Mondon Jr.
Continue reading...
Next up is Georgia linebacker Smael Mondon Jr.
Measureables
Height: 6-022
Weight: 224
Relative Athletic Score (RAS): 9.42
Stats to know
Mondon has played over 1,600 defensive snaps between the last three seasons. Throughout his career, he has been a very reliable tackler, missing only 18 of his 231 attempts, according to PFF.
As a run defender, his grade from PFF took a big step forward during the 2024 season. Mondon was also an effective blitzer, recording 60 pressures and nine sacks in three seasons.
In coverage, he's shown the ability to eat up space, helping Mondon to limit yards after the catch (YAC). He has surrendered just 8.5 yards per catch over his career, including a career low 6.7 yards per reception this past year.
Mondon comes to the NFL with special teams experience, having played 427 total snaps across five of the six different phases.
Fit with the Indianapolis Colts
The Colts need at the linebacker position is twofold. At the bare minimum, with Grant Stuard and EJ Speed now elsewhere, depth is needed at the position, not to mention that the Colts lost a core special teams contributor in Stuard.
But more importantly, with Speed in Houston, the starting linebacker role next to Zaire Franklin is available. Now, perhaps Jaylon Carlies can fill that role. GM Chris Ballard did speak very highly of him recently.
However, assuming a second-year player with just over 200 defensive snaps can step into the full-time starting role comes with risks and unknowns. This is the kind of assumption we saw Ballard make last offseason at other positions that did not pan out well for the Colts and led to Ballard calling his roster-building approach a mistake, while adding that he wanted to infuse competition throughout the roster this offseason.
I'm sure the hope is that Carlies can emerge and be relied on heavily. We know the Colts have a strong track record of developing the linebacker position. But the prudent move would be adding competition to that position.
In Lou Anarumo's defensive scheme, versatility at the linebacker position, not to mention added coverage ability to pair with Franklin, should be two elements on Ballard's radar.
NFL draft profile
For more on Mondon, here is what NFL.com's Lance Zierlein wrote in his scouting report:
"Mondon is physical and can run. He’s quick to flow downhill and challenge blocks with good pop. He’s inconsistent to diagnose and flow accurately to his fits, but he has good pursuit speed to range and tackle to the sidelines. He pursues the action with focus and leverage. Mondon becomes tackle-ready quickly in space. He’s effective on passing downs with good coverage and blitz talent. The run game instincts could slow him early in his career, but he’s a battle-tested, three-down option with special teams value and starting potential."
Highlights
This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: Colts 2025 NFL draft: Previewing Georgia LB Smael Mondon Jr.
Continue reading...
