Colts vice chairman Bill Polian says that money won't keep the team from drafting a quarterback in this coming April's NFL Draft. "The payment to the first-round draft choice is far less than it was under the old (collective bargaining) agreement, so you could afford that," Polian told a caller on his weekly radio show. "I'm perfectly fine with that approach." Peyton Manning agreed to a five-year contract worth $90 million in July, a deal that includes a $28 million bonus payment due in February. He hasn't played since having neck surgery in May and has barely practiced since agreeing to the deal. At 0-11, Indianapolis holds a two-game lead in the chase for the No. 1 overall pick, which most analysts believe will be used on Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck.

I give a warm thanks to all who served on this Veterans Day. The draft order here is based on how I think the rest of the season plays out after nine weeks of NFL football. I’ve met with and talked to several regional scouts over the past few weeks. It’s still early in the scouting process but these guys have pretty solid opinions formed on the players in their realms. But draft boards aren’t even up yet for most teams, and projected needs are just that--projections, not reality. This is supposed to be for entertainment and light informational purposes, not a guideline or anything definitive. In other words, spare the personal insults and threats if you don’t like what I projected for your team and/or favorite player. It’s mid-November, the draft is in April. Keep that in mind. Friendly reminder that this is a premature attempt to project what I believe the teams will do in the given situation. It does not necessarily reflect what I would do in the same situation. 1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford. He is the obvious choice with or without Peyton Manning going forward. 2. St. Louis Rams: Matt Kalil, T, USC. The Jason Smith pick has not panned out, and they must try again to get Sam Bradford better protection. 3. Arizona Cardinals: Quentin Coples, DE, North Carolina. Some think he is the best pass rusher in the draft, and this disappointing defense needs help. 4. Miami Dolphins: Landry Jones, QB, Oklahoma. The QB of the future is not currently on their roster, and the coach of their future will want a strong prospect to build around. 5. Jacksonville Jaguars: Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State. Blaine Gabbert needs a legit go-to receiver, and Blackmon has the physicality to excel in short or longer routes. 6. Cleveland Browns: Matt Barkley, QB, USC. I think the Browns brass will conclude that Colt McCoy is not the answer at QB and chase after golden boy Barkley. It is at this point I feel compelled to remind readers that this represents what I think the team will do, not what I would do if given the chance. 7. Washington Ethnic Slurs: Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M. Mike Shanahan will love his arm, his mobility, and the fact he is not a finished product. 8. Denver Broncos: Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU. Playmaking corner goes to a team that desperately needs one. Or two… 9. Minnesota Vikings: Jonathan Martin, T, Stanford. Martin is agile, smart, and tough, all qualities the Vikings can use up front. 10. Carolina Panthers: Zach Brown, LB, North Carolina. The team can no longer rely on Beason or Davis and must replenish the LB corps with a versatile athlete like Brown. 11. Seattle Seahawks: Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor. Assuming Pete Carroll sticks around, the energy and collegial style of Griffin will be mighty appealing to a team that desperately needs a reliable leader. 12. Kansas City Chiefs: Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina. Ingram is the dynamic counter to Tamba Hali this defense needs, but this team has not fared well choosing defensive line talent. 13. Dallas Cowboys: Brandon Thompson, DT, Clemson. He would play end in Dallas and provides the balanced force they need up front. Smart football player that finds the ball well. 14. Tennessee Titans: Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina. Not the fastest guy but a great all-around wideout with the mentality this team likes, and a knack for making big plays when his team needs them most. 15. Cincinnati Bengals (from OAK): Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama. Allows the team to wash their hands of Ced Benson with a potentially more dynamic runner built to hold up in the rough AFC North. 16. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Vontaze Burfict, LB, Arizona State. Could be the next Ray Lewis if he can ever get his head on straight. This defense needs his presence in the middle, where he could pair with Mason Foster to make an Urlacher/Briggs-like combo. 17. Buffalo Bills: Riley Reiff, T, Iowa. Not an elite linemen but not likely to bust either, Reiff has great arm length and footwork. He should be able to play either tackle spot, helpful for a line that could be in flux. 18. Philadelphia Eagles: Manti Te’o, LB, Notre Dame. The big physical thumper the Eagles desperately need in the middle of their defense. 19. New York Jets: Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame. Big and physical, he plays like a shorter Plaxico Burress. The Jets need more red zone options and some more youth at the wideout position. 20. Chicago Bears: Courtney Upshaw, LB, Alabama. The defense is getting old up front, and Upshaw is the no-nonsense kind of rangy backer Lovie Smith covets. 21. Cleveland Browns (from ATL): David Decastro, G, Stanford. The Browns line has gone in steep decline, and the heady junior Decastro is ready to start right away as the prize for Julio Jones. 22. Cincinnati Bengals: Mark Barron, S, Alabama. Big, smart, and accustomed to a lot of responsibility, Barron would help bolster the weakest point of the strong young Bengals D. 23. San Diego Chargers: Ronnell Lewis, LB, Oklahoma. Edge pass rusher keeps improving his stock. The Chargers hope he erases some recent misses from memory. 24. Houston Texans: Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor: Playmaking slot complement to Andre Johnson that is ready for action. 25. Pittsburgh Steelers: Mike Adams, T, Ohio State. Fits the Steeler OL profile of being long and nasty. Stock continues to rise even as the Buckeyes continue their unsteady season. 26. Detroit Lions: Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska. Good schematic fit that would see a lot of immediate action. I can see the Lions taking OL with their next three picks. 27. New England Patriots: Chase Minnifield, CB, Virginia. Don’t forget his father was a Belichick favorite in Cleveland, and Chase is an excellent tackler with an incredible football IQ. 28. New York Giants: Dwayne Allen, TE, Clemson. Athletic seam-stretcher brings another big-play component for Eli Manning. 29. New England Patriots (from NO): Jerel Worthy, DT, Michigan State. He is potentially the kind of player Belichick hoped Haynesworth would be, an interior pocket collapsing agitator. 30. San Francisco 49ers: Mohamed Sanu, WR, Rutgers. Smooth and sure-handed with great size, Sanu would fit nicely in Harbaugh’s offense across from Crabtree and flanking Davis. 31. Baltimore Ravens: Zebrie Sanders, T, Florida State. Not as hyped as teammate Andy Datko, but scouts know Sanders is the better NFL prospect. Can understudy Bryant McKinnie until he’s ready. 32. Green Bay Packers: Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis. The NFL player he most reminds me of is Cullen Jenkins, a player the Packers sorely miss. Round 2 33. Colts: Vinny Curry, DE, Marshall 34. Rams: Brandon Boykin, CB, Georgia 35. Dolphins: Alameda Ta’Amu, NT, Washington 36. Eagles (from ARI): Keenan Robinson, LB, Texas 37. Jaguars: Kelechi Osemele, OL, Iowa State 38. Browns: Jeff Fuller, WR, Texas A&M 39. Ethnic Slurs: Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin 40. Broncos: Cordy Glenn, G, Georgia 41. Vikings: Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama 42. Panthers: Devon Still, DT, Penn State 43. Seahawks: Kevin Zietler, G, Wisconsin 44. Chiefs: Jeff Allen, T, Illinois 45. Cowboys: Markelle Martin, S, Oklahoma State 46. Titans: Cam Johnson, DE, Virginia 47. Patriots (from OAK): Bruce Irvin, DE/OLB, West Virginia 48. Bucs: Coryell Judie, CB, Texas A&M 49. Bills: Orson Charles, TE, Georgia 50. Eagles: Brandon Washington, T, Miami FL 51. Jets: Billy Winn, DE, Boise State 52. Bears: Michael Egnew, TE, Missouri 53. Falcons: Matt McCants, T, UAB 54. Bengals: Miles Burris, LB, San Diego State 55. Chargers: Shaun Prater, CB, Iowa 56. Texans: Don’t’a Hightower, LB, Alabama 57. Steelers: Ryan Steed, CB, Furman 58. Lions: Ryan Miller, OL, Colorado 59. Patriots: TY Hilton, WR, Florida Intl. 60. Giants: Lavonte David, LB, Nebraska 61. Saints: Nick Toon, WR, Wisconsin 62. 49ers: Brandon Weeden, QB, Oklahoma State 63. Ravens: Audie Cole, LB, North Carolina State 64. Packers: Brandon Jenkins, OLB/DE, Florida State Jeff.Risdon@RealGM.com

The NFL season is halfway complete, so it’s time to start looking more seriously at the upcoming draft. It is still way too early to come up with a definitive ranking, but I have spent a great deal of time watching games and talking to scouts and talent evaluators whose opinions I trust. Remember as always, this in no way shape or form represents where I think a player will be drafted. This is my personal opinion on approximate ratings. Certain positions curry more value than others, which is why running backs and safeties do not appear real frequently here. 1. Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford. Showed he is human against USC, but handled it like a pro. Luck is a lock at #1. 2. Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU. Playmaker with a little better innate cover skills than former teammate Patrick Peterson. 3. Matt Kalil, T, USC. Still mighty impressive even with little talent around him, and his lineage suggests he will continue to improve. 4. David Decastro, G, Stanford. Might be the most fundamentally sound guard to hit the league in years. Devastating run blocker. 5. Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State. Anquan Boldin clone with the intensity and physicality to thrive at the next level. 6. Jonathan Martin, T, Stanford. Reminds me a lot of Jake Long, but not as nasty. Can start right away at LT. 7. Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama. Vision is his calling card. A between-the-tackles slasher in the younger Clinton Portis mold. 8. Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama. As talented as any player in this draft, but he must prove he is drug free and mature enough to handle the NFL. 9. Brandon Thompson, DE, Clemson. Impact pass rusher with good strength against the run. Better all-around than Da’Quan Bowers, plus he’s healthy. 10. Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M. Still learning the intricacies but a very natural passer and exceptional athlete. 11. Vontaze Burfict, LB, Arizona State. Has a lot of the young Ray Lewis to him. If he can harness his wildness, could be a great inside backer. 12. Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor. Rising star with a presence about him that the great QBs have. 13. Jerel Worthy, DT, Michigan State. Can dominate when he wants to, more consistency would make him higher. 14. Alameda Ta’amu, DT, Washington. Interior force that reminds me of Casey Hampton, but he must keep his weight in check. 15. Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina. Not the fastest guy, but incredible catch radius and ever-improving precision to his game. 16. Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska 17. Zach Brown, LB, North Carolina 18. Cordy Glenn, G, Georgia. Spotlight: Heavy-handed guard has the footwork to handle playing right tackle in the NFL as well. 19. Quentin Coples, DE, North Carolina 20. Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama 21. Riley Reiff, T, Iowa 22. Chase Minnifield, CB, Virginia. Spotlight: Not an elite athlete but a very savvy cover man with great intangibles. 23. Mike Adams, T, Ohio State 24. Courtney Upshaw, LB, Alabama 25. Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame 26. Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College. Spotlight: Strong, physical inside presence but not quite as rangy as some. Has some Demeco Ryans to him. 27. Dwayne Allen, TE, Clemson 28. Lamar Miller, RB, Miami 29. Landry Jones, QB, Oklahoma 30. Devon Still, DT, Penn State. Spotlight: Like Corey Liuget a year ago, Still has blossomed from being a solid prospect to being a very good one along the line. 31. Vinny Curry, DE, Marshall 32. Cliff Harris, CB/RS, Oregon 33. Kelechi Osemele, G/T, Iowa State 34. Mark Barron, S, Alabama 35. Whitney Mercilus, DE, Illinois 36. Melvin Ingram, DE/OLB, South Carolina. Spotlight: Boom/bust pass rusher with a great first step. Has played better in space recently. 37. Kevin Zeitler, G, Wisconsin 38. Brandon Jenkins, DE/OLB, Florida State 39. Cam Johnson, DE, Virginia 40. Markelle Martin, S, Oklahoma State 41. Brandon Weeden, QB, Oklahoma State. Spotlight: Would be much higher if he were younger; only Luck is a better thrower in this class. 42. Zebrie Sanders, T, Florida State 43. Jermaine Kearse, WR, Washington 44. Donta Hightower, LB, Alabama 45. D.J. Fluker, T, Alabama 46. Nick Toon, WR, Wisconsin 47. Billy Winn, DE, Boise State. Good fit for an attacking 30 front scheme as an agitating end. 48. Jayron Hosley, CB, Virginia Tech 49. Ronnell Lewis, LB, Oklahoma 50. Mohammed Sanu, WR, Rutgers 51. Matt McCants, T, UAB 52. Matt Barkley, QB, USC. Spotlight: I’m not buying into the love, but there is enough here to like that I won’t write him off. But I see an awful lot of Brady Quinn when I watch Barkley. 53. TY Hilton, WR, Florida Atlantic 54. Jeff Fuller, WR, Texas A&M 55. Bruce Irvin, LB, West Virginia. Spotlight: Shares a lot of attributes with Jabaal Sheard 56. Kheeston Randall, DE, Texas 57. Trumaine Johnston, DB, Montana 58. Vick Ballard, RB, Mississippi State 59. Leonard Johnson, CB, Iowa State 60. Jonathan Massaquoi, DE, Troy. Spotlight: Reminds me of Dumervil or Mathis, short/speedy edge rushers that create problems for tall, lumbering tackles. 61. Jarius Wright, WR, Arkansas 62. Manti Te’o, LB, Notre Dame 63. Ryan Broyles, WR, Oklahoma 64. Donte Paige-Moss, DE/OLB, North Carolina 65. Casey Hayward, CB, Vanderbilt 66. Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis. Spotlight: The immovable object nose tackle, but he moves well for a big man. 67. Tauren Poole, RB, Tennessee 68. Andre Branch, DE, Clemson 69. Jared Crick, DL, Nebraska 70. Keenan Robinson, LB, Texas 71. Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor 72. Marvin McNutt, WR, Iowa 73. Amini Silatolu, G, Midwestern State. Spotlight: A giant among boys at his level, has the physical ability to make the jump. 74. James-Michael Johnson, LB, Nevada 75. Stephon Gilmore, DB, South Carolina 76. Frank Alexander, DE, Oklahoma 77. Orson Charles, TE, Georgia 78. Kirk Cousins, QB, Michigan State 79. Brandon Boykin, CB, Georgia 80. Lavonte David, LB, Nebraska. Spotlight: Very light but has great instincts and good pop to his hits. Good 4-3 Will backer prospect. 81. Xavier Rhodes, CB, Florida State 82. Barrett Jones, OL, Alabama 83. Mike Brewster, C, Ohio State 84. Jarius Wright, WR, Arkansas 85. Denard Robinson, RB/RS, Michigan. Spotlight: I see Robinson as a Dexter McCluster/Brad Smith kind of weapon. He’s faster than both but I worry about durability. 86. Ryan Steed, CB, Furman 87. Ladarius Green, TE, Louisiana Tech 88. Tony Dye, S, UCLA 89. Tank Carder, LB, TCU. Spotlight: A taller version of Eagles rookie Brian Rolle, an undersized but try-hard hitter with sound instincts. 90. Shaun Prater, CB, Iowa 91. Brandon Lindsey, LB, Pittsburgh 92. Tyler Eifert, TE, Notre Dame 93. Sylvester Williams, DT, North Carolina 94. Brandon Brooks, T, Miami OH 95. Audie Cole, LB, North Carolina State. Spotlight: Reminds me of AJ Hawk but seems a half-step slower than the Packer backer. 96. Jonathan Banks, CB, Mississippi State 97. Coryell Judie, CB, Texas A&M 98. Malik Jackson, DE, Tennessee. Spotlight: USC transfer coming into his own, locating the ball better and improving his pad level. 99. Ryan Miller, T, Colorado 100. Eddie Whitley, S, Virginia Tech 101. Arthur Brown, LB, Kansas State 102. Levy Adcock, T, Oklahoma State 103. Ryan Lindley, QB, San Diego State. Spotlight: Sporadic accuracy and trouble reading blitzes mars a great leader and strong arm.

While Andrew Luck will almost certainly be the top overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft, Phil Simms believes the expectations should be dialed down at least somewhat. "I think the hype is a little too much," Simms said. "I feel bad for him in that respect. I mean, [how's] he going to do to match what they say he can do? There's a lot to him. I think his best quality, by far, is that he's big and strong and he's going to be able to move and run in the NFL. There's no question. I mean, this guy is strong. The throwing? He manages a game. I see all that. "But the one thing I don't see, I just don't see big-time NFL throws. I don't care what anybody says. I've watched a lot of him. He never takes it and rips it in there. And you can say what you want but, man, you've got to be able to crease that ball every once in a while. We see it every week in these games. Hey, he can develop it but even in the USC game, you know, he's very careful with it, guides it a lot. That's what I see. "There's not a lot of rotation on the ball and there's not a tremendous amount of power. Not that you need to have that power arm. I'm not saying you've got to have that exclusively but, man, it sure helps when you can do that because there's four or five plays a game it is about arm strength. And sometimes quarterbacks who don't have it, they pass those plays up. Why? Well, they go, 'I don't know if I can make that throw,' so they throw it short. That's why I'm a little more reserved in my judgment than everybody else."