Stephen Holder

IndyStar

NFL draft: Round 1, April 28; rounds 2-3, April 29; rounds 4-7, April 30

You can translate Ryan Grigson’s description of his approach to this year’s NFL draft as an admission the Indianapolis Colts might take (another!) wide receiver in the first round.

Or, you could interpret his comments more precisely, and understand what the general manager was really saying: The Colts won’t spite themselves in the long run just to fill needs in the short term.

That was one of the key takeaways of Grigson’s pre-draft news conference Wednesday, when he said, in unambiguous terms, that he intends to be disciplined in the three-day draft that begins April 28.

“I think it’s weak, no matter what your needs are, to look at your board and see Player A here and then you have Player B, C and D down here, and you (say), ‘Well, we have to get a need,’” Grigson said. “That defies the whole process.”

Colts GM Ryan Grigson on draft: 'Got to knock this out of the park'

Some might see that as Grigson downplaying what are some very obvious and long-standing needs (offensive line, pass rush, etc.). But what Grigson said is actually a fundamental aspect of team building. The goal is not to win just today, but for years to come.

And if that means picking – for argument’s sake – a defensive lineman in the first round of a draft that has some potentially elite ones, then that’s the right call. You know who else did that sort of thing to great success? Grigson’s predecessor, Bill Polian.

Besides, it just makes sense.

“I think (not doing it) breaks the trust and the morale of your scouts and all the guys that spend all that time stacking your board with you,” Grigson said, “and all the coaches that went and worked guys out and went through this exhaustive process. The coaches, too, they have a pretty rough go of it after the (NFL Scouting) Combine of hopping on planes, taking three connections into goodness-knows-where in this country (to scout) and they have an opinion where they feel strongly because they’ve done the work. So, the guys that do the work and put their heart and soul into it usually are your voices."

As stated earlier, some will read these statements and have visions of the Colts drafting another receiver. The selection of Miami’s Phillip Dorsett in the first round last year did not go over well with many, not because the player lacked talent but rather because he did not play a position of immediate need. Dorsett will actually have a sizable role in 2016, part of a trio of receivers the Colts hope can severely stress defenses. Still, that selection was probably the most extreme example of the philosophy Grigson is espousing here.

But when you consider that the Colts also picked defensive lineman Henry Anderson last year despite the presence of some veterans at the position, and shortly after the acquisition of free agent defensive end Kendall Langford, Grigson's words become more crystalized. As it turned out, Art Jones was lost for the year in the preseason to an ankle injury, Anderson moved from defensive end to tackle and became a revelation. Now, the choice is widely praised.

Another philosophy Grigson addressed Wednesday is his approach to drafting (or not) players with character concerns. One such player, Eastern Kentucky pass rusher Noah Spence, continues to be linked to the Colts by many in the media. But Grigson has and continues to hold a firm stance on early-round prospects like Spence, who was dismissed from Ohio State and, ultimately, banned by the Big Ten after multiple failed drug tests. Grigson didn’t mention him by name, but it was clear Spence falls under the umbrella of players Grigson spoke of.

“It’s tough to stay disciplined because when you see players on film that are quote, unquote ‘game wreckers,’ you want those guys,” he said. “You want those guys that pop and can make an impact. We’ve gotten burned even in the later rounds with those types of guys. So, why the heck would we go early and take a guy like that?”

Grigson said that after much investigation of players who once gave them pause, some have been "cleaned up" by information the team has gleaned. Others, not so much.

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“It’s weighing the risk against the value,” he said.

Whatever the Colts do, this is a critical draft for them. They are coming off an 8-8 non-playoff season. They’re hamstrung financially by the impending Andrew Luck contract extension, limiting their free agency spending. And they have just six selections in a draft that is seen as particularly deep.

“Was I willing to take more risks in 2012 because everyone thought we were going to stink? Yes, sure,” Grigson said. “But you know what? I’ll say this: When you have only six picks, when you have limited resources – meaning you don’t have an abundance of draft picks, you don’t have an abundance of cash – you’ve got to really knock this out of the park.”

But Grigson left no doubt that he isn’t going to compromise his principles in his effort to do so.

Follow IndyStar reporter Stephen Holder on Twitter: @HolderStephen.

NFL draft: Round 1, April 28; rounds 2-3, April 29; rounds 4-7, April 30

Roster moves

The Colts signed free agent offensive linemen Kevin Graf and Mitchell Van Dyk. Neither has played in a regular-season NFL game.