Colts GM blasts negative predraft stories about NFL prospects

Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard has sounded off regarding negative stories released about prospects ahead of each NFL Draft. 

"I get frustrated," Ballard told reporters, per Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. "All the crap that comes out about these kids. It’s crap. Like, it’s bull----. I’m sorry, but it’s bull----. Like, people that leak these stories, these negative stories on kids. I just don’t — I don’t agree with it. It’s bull----."

Ballard mentioned no specific examples, but at least a few immediately come to mind. 

Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback C.J. Stroud allegedly flunked the S2 Cognition Test during the predraft process. Some criticized the ability of Florida Gators signal-caller Anthony Richardson to make on-the-fly decisions and properly "distribute the ball." While understandable red flags hovered over Georgia Bulldogs defensive tackle Jalen Carter through early Thursday evening, he was also accused of being out of shape for his pro day workout, of lacking the right effort during practices and of being unpopular among at least some Georgia coaches. 

The Colts selected Richardson with the fourth overall pick. 

"These guys work their a-- off to get where they need to be, and then all week you’ve got to read...and then they’ve got to answer questions," Ballard continued. "So, anyway, not on Anthony, it’s on some other kids in the draft that are good kids, and I thought had to take a little bit of a beating that they shouldn’t have had to take." 

The Houston Texans happily grabbed Stroud with pick No. 2, while the Eagles traded with the Chicago Bears for the right to select Carter with the ninth choice. 

There are legitimate reasons to wonder if one or any of the prospects mentioned above will struggle to reach their supposed ceilings at the highest level. Still, each of the athletes has some bulletin-board material to use as extra motivation to succeed ahead of rookie minicamps.