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2011 NFL Draft – Colts Round 1

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Anthony Costanzo, LT, Boston College

Anthony Costanzo, LT, Boston College

With the 22nd overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft, the Indianapolis Colts take:

Anthony Costanzo, LT, Boston College

Stats:

  • HT: 6'7 / WT: 311 / 40: 5.23

Overview:

After a surprising number of teams selected quarterbacks in the first round, Costanzo became the "Best Player Available'", falling to the Colts at the #22 pick. Costanzo, rated by many as one of the top 2 or 3 left tackles in this year's draft, appears ready to step into a starting role as an NFL left tackle, which would fill a glaring upgrade need for the Colts. Costanzo is clearly a value pick, and may prove to be a steal.

Bio:

Draft Analysis:

  • NFL.com

    The selection of Castonzo shows that Bill Polian was serious about upgrading the protection of Peyton Manning. The Boston College star enters the league with a ton of experience and is one of the most technically sound players at the position. He gives the Colts a potential starter as a left or right tackle and some flexibility in configuring a rebuilt offensive line.

  • Yahoo Sports

    The Colts' offensive line faltered last season and made Peyton Manning's job as challenging as ever. Castonzo can plug in at left tackle and protect Manning's blind side from Day 1. He's a smart, versatile, technically sound pass protector who could stand to improve his core base strength.

  • ESPN

    What he brings: A smart, instinctive and polished player, Castonzo has the technique and maturity to step in and play right away. His lateral mobility is just average but he does a good job sinking his hips and using his hands when he can get into position. He's not a road-grader as a run blocker but does a good job getting on the edge and covering defenders to create running lanes, which works well with Indy's zone blocking scheme.

    How he fits: Offensive tackle may have been the No. 1 need and he is an excellent fit as an intelligent player in a very sophisticated offense. Even though the Colts get a lot of publicity for not giving up a lot of sacks, much of it is due to Peyton Manning's quick release and not their pass protection.

  • Fox Sports

    Castonzo could be an immediate starter and he showed a lot of versatility by playing three different offensive line positions at the Senior Bowl. This is a smart kid and the Colts definitely have an need on the offensive line.

    The Colts were very lucky to be able to select the talented Castonzo because he was projected to go off the board much earlier in the first round. He’ll be expected to start as a rookie at left tackle.

Scouting Reports

  • Draft Board Insider (Rank: #14 Overall / #3 OT)

    Castonzo is a very smart player with very good awareness and instincts. He's a very sound technical blocker and while he isn't always the most athletic or powerful guy on the field, rarely is he caught out of position or beat on a play because he didn't do his job or follow his assignment. In terms of a resume' you can't discount a guy who's a four year starter at both left and right tackle.

  • NFL.com (Grade: 8.0)

    Strengths: Castonzo possesses ideal height for the tackle position and has great feet. A highly-productive and extremely durable performer with over 50 starts in his college career. Smart, tough player and a hard worker. Huge, long frame coupled with impressive mobility allows him to shut down speed rushers. Puts himself in good position while run blocking. Comfortable and productive in space.

    Weaknesses:: Must improve his bulk and playing strength (both upper and lower body). Can be beat by a strong bull rush or violent pass rushing moves. Can get caught dipping his head in pass protection. Does not push people off the line of scrimmage in the running game.

  • SI.com (Grade: 3.05 - First-Year Contributor)

    Positives: Tall, relatively athletic tackle prospect who comes with a high upside. Keeps his feet moving throughout the action, displays better than average footwork off the edge, and is effective in pass protection. Moves well about the field, easily slides out, and fights hard to finish blocks. Adjusts to defenders, blocks with good lean, and easily holds the point. Shows good quickness, stays square, and is an effective position blocker who seals opponents from the action. Turns defenders off the line run blocking and uses his long arms to push opponents from their angle of attack. Makes good use of angles, keeps his head on a swivel, and works well with teammates.

    Negatives: Just average blocking in motion. Must improve his blocking balance. Overextends into blocks, adversely affecting his ability to finish the play.

    Analysis: Castonzo has been a terrific tackle on the college level and offers the size, athleticism, and blocking fundamentals to eventually start at the next level. He should be given a chance at the all-important left tackle position before any consideration is given to moving him to the right side.

  • Mocking The Draft (Rank: #4 OT)

    Castonzo is much better as a pass blocker than run blocker at this point of his development. He can use his natural abilities – agility, quickness, length – to his advantage to wall off defenders. Does really well moving his hands in and out to knock defenders back. Possesses a wide, smooth kick slide to the outside. Castonzo is quick enough to work his power slide to stop inside rushers. Will get fooled at times by stunting defenders.

  • National Football Post (Grade: 6.9 - B - Dirty Starting Caliber)

    The size, length and natural athleticism is there, but he needs more time to mature physically. I don't think he's a guy who you can pencil in as a starter on the left side from day one, but with some time he has the skill set to eventually develop into a serviceable starting left tackle in the NFL. However, as of now, isn't an elite offensive tackle prospect by any stretch in my book.

  • Draft Countdown (Rating: 4 Stars / Projection: 1st Round)

    Strengths: Ideal size with a large frame, long arms and big hands, Very good athleticism, quickness, agility and balance, Shows relatively nimble feet to slide laterally and mirror, Displays the ability to recover and adjust in action, Effective run blocker who generates sufficient movement, Polished technician who understands positioning / angles, Able to stun with initial punch and uses hands well overall, Mobile with range to work in space and get to second level, Extraordinarily smart with great instincts and awareness, Competitive, aggressive and active with a terrific motor, Mature and a fiery leader with an outstanding work ethic, Durable with a ton of experience against top competition

    Weaknesses: Still developing in terms of weight / strength, Is not overly stout at the point of attack, Narrow base and struggles to anchor / sustain, Isn't a powerful, road grading run blocker, Can be inconsistent with knee bend / leverage, Had some trouble with elite speed off the edge

  • Fox Sports

    Scouts love his feel for the game and smarts, qualities that are no surprise since he was a Rhodes Scholar nominee as a biochemistry major. Castonzo is also considered very disciplined, perhaps from his time playing football at Fork Union Military Academy in Virginia. He rates high in athleticism, size and versatility since he can fit in well at either tackle slot. Castonzo is a solid bet to be drafted in the top 15 and could be the top offensive lineman taken.

  • FFToolbox (Rank: #19 in Top 100)

    At 6-7 and 308 pounds Castonzo certainly has the size to play in the NFL. He could have left a year early, but the extra year at Boston College saw him add quite a bit of needed weight. The pundits have already been paying close attention to Castonzo since he was on the radar last year and his year bulking up at BC should move him up into the late first round or the second round.

  • WalterFootball (Rank: #2 OT / Projection: Top 20)

    Castonzo uses finesse and technique to his advantage. His upside is in adding a few pounds and more strength. This would make him a better run blocker and more able to slow down powerful NFL rushers.

  • NFL Draft Geek (Rank: #5 OT / Tier: 2)

    He does a good job walling his defender off, blocking into the second level, and opening up holes for the back to run through. He has great height and long arms, and uses his arms well to guide his defender where he wants them to go when run blocking. His pass protection is a real cause for concern from me though, he is not very agile, he plays way too high, which allows defenders to get underneath him, and he is not very strong as of now.


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