Chris

Rucker

A third-round pick in 2010, Thomas has the size to fit what new coach Chuck Pagano wants to do defensively, but lost his rookie campaign to knee surgery and appeared in just nine games last season. Second-year CB Chris Rucker also projects for an expanded role following the departure of Jacob Lacey.

Rucker was a sixth-round pick last year out of Michigan State. There are no guarantees for holdovers in new regimes, and rookie GM Ryan Grigson is effectively cleaning house in the Indy secondary.

Rucker, 6-foot-1, 195 pounds, has the ability to play both cornerback and safety. The 2011 sixth-round pick out of Michigan State has played in 15 career games, recording 36 tackles and two pass deflections.

Rucker is a fine football player with the ability to play either corner or safety, but we’re surprised he was drafted by the Colts. He pleaded guilty to assault and battery in 2010, and within a year was back in the police blotter with a DUI. He’s a big-time character red flag. We presume Bill Polian deemed him worth a sixth-round risk, but Rucker should be on a zero-tolerance plan in Indy.

Rucker has safety size at 6'1/195, but Caldwell is adamant that he’ll stay at his natural position. “He is definitely a corner,” said Caldwell. “Within our scheme, within our system, we think he fits. He has good size. He has speed. He has the aggressiveness it takes.” Rucker will compete for time in sub-packages behind Jerraud Powers and Kelvin Hayden.