As we near the end of Draft season, a general consensus has emerged among Colts Draft Twitter when asked which players we’d like to see the Colts draft. The players are almost exclusively on the defensive side of the ball and tend to be high upside guys. Seven names were being thrown around more than the rest, so we grouped them together, and we’ve taken to calling them the Big Seven. If the Colts select one of these players, Colts fans should be very happy after tonight.

Going into this year’s Draft, there are enough needs on defense that almost any position would be a good pick. As long as they can inject some youth and talent into 2014’s oldest defense—one which gave up 40+ points four times—the position they play isn’t very important. While there are long-term needs at every spot on the defense, Indianapolis actually did a really good job plugging holes in Free Agency, ensuring there are no starting spots that must be filled a rookie, as of now. Every position group has at least one serviceable depth player with NFL experience than can come off the bench and start. This has given the Colts the opportunity to go into the Draft tonight with a true Best Player Available mentality.

While the draft if highly unpredictable, the likelihood of at least one of these players being available is very high. To help ensure some of them are available late into the night, we should be rooting for lots of offensive skill positions, a run on Quarterbacks, and maybe a few extra Offensive Tackles sneaking into the first round. With some luck, there should be multiple Big Seven players available when Colts fans watch Ryan Grigson draft an Offensive Lineman at 29.

As a reminder, Handsome Rating® is a Draft Metric created by Draft Indy. The algorithm is secret so please stop asking. Where They Win is a Josh Norris special and all credit goes to him for coming up with it. He is the best, but if you’re reading this, I’m sure you already know that.

Marcus Peters, Cornerback, Washington

Marcus Peters is perfect scheme fit for the Colts at a press Cornerback. Peters has off the field issues which could cause him to fall down in the first round, but he should not fall past the Colts. Peters would likely be the 3rd boundary CB for most of his rookie season, but with Toler an Unrestricted Free Agent in 2016, he’d be able to step in and give an elite pairing of Corners with Vontae Davis. A top 10 pick if there were no issues.

Where He’ll Win (with the Colts): Lined up in press coverage on the outside, he has the strength to redirect and agility to mirror routes. Elite ball-skills. Shutdown Corner potential.

Lined up in press coverage on the outside, he has the strength to redirect and agility to mirror routes. Elite ball-skills. Shutdown Corner potential. Reasons to hope: Off the field concerns may drop him down into the late part of the round. Pagano knows he is due some talent on defense, and Toler is a contract year injury concern.

Handsome Rating®: 7/10

Malcom Brown, Defensive Line, Texas

Malcom Brown is one of the best Interior Defensive Lineman in this draft class. The Colts need improved play from the D-Line, and Brown is versatile enough to play every spot. Brown is also a very good pass rusher with a high motor and should be able to play all three downs. Scouts rave about his work ethic and character. Watching Brown on Sundays would be a treat for years to come.

Where He’ll Win (with the Colts): Could be a Pro Bowler playing 5-Tech in 3-4 and sliding to 3-Tech in 4-3. Excellent interior pass rusher, can blow by OL with speed. Strong a point of attack.

Could be a Pro Bowler playing 5-Tech in 3-4 and sliding to 3-Tech in 4-3. Excellent interior pass rusher, can blow by OL with speed. Strong a point of attack. Reasons to hope: Brown has Horseshoe Guy written all over him, class is strong with Edge players, so he could get pushed down, rumors say there could be 6+ WRs in the First. Like top 20 pick though.

Brown has Horseshoe Guy written all over him, class is strong with Edge players, so he could get pushed down, rumors say there could be 6+ WRs in the First. Like top 20 pick though. Handsome Rating®: 6.5/10

Preston Smith, Edge Rusher, Mississippi State

Preston Smith was the latest addition to the Big Seven, replacing the long shot, Alvin Dupree, but he quickly became one of my personal favorites. Smith is a freak athlete and a Force Player with the ability to rush from all over the defense. While he isn’t the best outside rusher, Smith has the length and speed to be massively disruptive lined up at 3-Tech or even 1-Tech on passing downs. Incredible upside.

Where He’ll Win (with the Colts): His best role may be adding 20 lbs and playing 5-Tech, then sliding to 3-Tech on pass plays. Can probably play move OLB like Pernell McPhee too. Very versatile.

His best role may be adding 20 lbs and playing 5-Tech, then sliding to 3-Tech on pass plays. Can probably play move OLB like Pernell McPhee too. Very versatile. Reasons to hope: Is mostly graded as a late 1 st rounder, Grigson drafted Ballard from Mississippi State too, doesn’t have the flashiest stats, Pagano was in Baltimore when McPhee was drafted.

Is mostly graded as a late 1 rounder, Grigson drafted Ballard from Mississippi State too, doesn’t have the flashiest stats, Pagano was in Baltimore when McPhee was drafted. Handsome Rating®: 5.5/10

Landon Collins, Safety, Alabama

Landon Collins is a versatile Safety that can tackle well and has better range than many give him credit for. Collins was one of the most highly regarded high school players and then was a playmaker at Alabama. I have stated that I think Collins is the most likely pick, and I believe they’ll be willing to trade up to get him. He fits exactly what the team wants and is the player they hoped LaRon Landry was going to be.

Where He’ll Win (with the Colts): Can play both FS and SS, is strong against the run and solid in coverage. Will sniff out short passes and outside runs quickly. Makes plays in deep coverage.

Can play both FS and SS, is strong against the run and solid in coverage. Will sniff out short passes and outside runs quickly. Makes plays in deep coverage. Reasons to hope: Teams may view him as only a box Safety and not value him in the 1 st round, some bad history with Alabama DBs and injuries so he might fall. Didn’t have a great Combine.

Teams may view him as only a box Safety and not value him in the 1 round, some bad history with Alabama DBs and injuries so he might fall. Didn’t have a great Combine. Handsome Rating®: 4.5/10

Arik Armstead, Defensive Line, Oregon

Arik Armstead is the epitome of a high upside player. Armstead had very little production at Oregon, but has shown flashes of immense talent. He possesses a very rare frame and has powerful hands. The team that drafts him will need to develop him. It may take some time, but within a year or two, he has the potential to be an elite 5-Tech player. Armstead is only 20 years old and with renewed focus and training, he could become Calais Campbell. He may be also the player least likely to reach 29.

Where He’ll Win (with the Colts): Playing 5-Tech and rushing the passer, while still being stout against the run. Controls OL with strong hands and flashes strength to toss them around.

Playing 5-Tech and rushing the passer, while still being stout against the run. Controls OL with strong hands and flashes strength to toss them around. Reasons to hope: Little production in college, almost exclusively a 3-4 DE, some have rumored his commitment to football is questionable, was not athletically impressive at the Combine.

Little production in college, almost exclusively a 3-4 DE, some have rumored his commitment to football is questionable, was not athletically impressive at the Combine. Handsome Rating®: 5.5

Eric Kendricks, Inside Linebacker, UCLA

Eric Kendricks is my favorite player in this draft class. He is a good leader with strong character, in addition to being a very talented Linebacker. Kendricks is exactly the kind of guy you want running your defense. Kendricks is excellent in coverage, instinctive in the run game, and has sideline to sideline speed. The Colts had issues at Linebacker last year, and Eric Kendricks would be a great solution.

Where He’ll Win (with the Colts): Diagnoses the run well and can cover TEs and RBs in the passing game. If he is allowed to roam free, he could be a cornerstone piece of the defense.

Diagnoses the run well and can cover TEs and RBs in the passing game. If he is allowed to roam free, he could be a cornerstone piece of the defense. Reasons to hope: The ILB position has been getting devalued for years, lacks ideal ILB size and may fall if teams think he’s a 4-3 WLB, rumors of a knee injury.

The ILB position has been getting devalued for years, lacks ideal ILB size and may fall if teams think he’s a 4-3 WLB, rumors of a knee injury. Handsome Rating®: 8/10

Eddie Goldman, Defensive Line, Florida State

Eddie Goldman is a talented, versatile D-Lineman that has yet to put it all together. He has the size and strength to play NT on run downs and the speed to rush the passer on passing downs. Goldman has violent, powerful hands and impressive strength with a great frame. If the Landon Collins pick does not work out, I believe Goldman is the next most likely player the Colts will pick. Goldman has a very high ceiling, and if he can ever reach his potential, he could become an elite Nose Tackle.

Where He’ll Win (with the Colts): Playing NT and beating double teams to get stops in the backfield, then sliding to 3-Tech and collapsing the pocket from inside, creating lanes for blitzers

Playing NT and beating double teams to get stops in the backfield, then sliding to 3-Tech and collapsing the pocket from inside, creating lanes for blitzers Reasons to hope: Goldman doesn’t have consistent tape, isn’t a great pass rusher, probably limited to playing in 3-4 defenses to start out, mostly graded as a late first rounder.

Goldman doesn’t have consistent tape, isn’t a great pass rusher, probably limited to playing in 3-4 defenses to start out, mostly graded as a late first rounder. Handsome Rating®: 6.5/10