In the fourth round, the Colts selected running back Delone Carter out of Syracuse.
Leading rusher Joseph Addai is expected to return after accepting a one-year deal as a restricted free agent. That he didn’t get a multi-year deal tells you the Colts are sticking to their past position that RBs get banged up too easily and it’s too much of a risk to extend one long-term.
Donald Brown has yet to live up to his pick as a first-round selection. One 100-yard game in two years doesn’t cut it. And his blocking is still suspect. He has two years left on his contract. I’m thinking he’s a one-and-done contact for the Colts, who might even decide to part ways after another year.
Not that we should proclaim Carter as an Edge-like workhorse, either. The Colts are wise to favor a tandem backfield, because running backs do get hurt. I like that Carter has a bit more size at 5-9 and 225 pounds. We’ll see how hard he runs into NFL tacklers, if he will do as he vowed on the conference call and stick his nose into any blitzing linebackers or pass rushers (lest anyone forget the lesson reminded by Brown: you must block).
Addai can't stay healthy & Donald Brown has been far from impressive. The door could swing open for Carter at some point this season.