‘With The Next Pick’ Part 5 Episode Recap

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» The Colts begin action the next night with the second pick of the second round. Immediately, the team has two options: trade back again, or get a guy they love in Temple cornerback Rock Ya-Sin.


The answer is clear once the Colts go on the clock. Mike Derice, the area scout who had done the work on Ya-Sin, explains:


“Rock Ya-Sin is an outstanding character individual who exudes confidence and everything that we want in a Colts, Horseshoe-type player,” Derice said. “Rock has all the traits and qualities that you want in a football player.”


And here’s where the “With The Next Pick” series really comes full circle: while viewers, to this point, had seen exchanges inside the draft room as the scouts and coaches watched film on various prospects in previous episodes, it wasn’t known who was being discussed.


But now, with the Colts’ 2019 draft class in order, we’re treated to actual pre-draft discussions about some of the team’s top picks, starting with Ya-Sin.


In a meeting on April 19, Colts’ Vice President of Player Personnel Rex Hogan starts reading off his scouting report on the cornerback: “He’s a hard corner, he’s physical, he’s got size, he’s got length,” he says.


“I just love the fact that he plays with confidence, he’s great with his hands,” Derice says in the meeting. “He’s outstanding leader; tough, physical — all the things you want in a football player. He’s a good guy.”


Ballard tells the room: “We think he changes the culture and helps the room, so we all like him.”


On the day of the draft, Ballard asks Colts defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus to give his final evaluation of Ya-Sin.


“He’s a DNA guy, he’ll tackle, he plays hard and he’s tough,” Eberflus says.


That’s enough for Ballard to make a decision.


“All right. Let’s get him on the phone,” Ballard says. “He’s got character, he’s one of your underlined guys. He’s what we stand for. Get him on the phone.”


Then we’re treated to hearing Ballard, head coach Frank Reich and team owner Jim Irsay briefly talk to Ya-Sin — and most of the rest of the picks — on the phone to deliver the news that he’s coming to Indianapolis.


“Well, you ready to come to Indy?” Ballard asks Ya-Sin. “All right, brother, we’re gonna turn the card in and we’re gonna pick ‘ya.”


“Are you kidding me?” Irsay then asks Ya-Sin. “Are you ready to come in and win a Lombardi?”