The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Tribune Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

THE Indianapolis Colts announced its offseason workout dates and the first opportunity Mike Strachan will have to join the remainder of the team’s 2021 NFL Draft Class.

The Colts will host its mandatory Rookie Minicamp this weekend, May 7-9, and gives both the organisation and fan base their first look at the new group of players.

Strachan officially signed his rookie deal with the Colts yesterday, per his agent. As part of the rookie wage scale, every rookie signs a four-year contract. The terms of the deal were not disclosed.

The remainder of the Colts 2021 Draft Class included Michigan Defensive End Kwity Paye (Round 1, Pick 21), Vanderbilt Defensive End Dayo Odeyingbo (Round 2, Pick 54), SMU Tight End Kylen Granson (Round 4, Pick 127), Florida Safety Shawn Davis (Round 5, Pick 165), Texas Quarterback Sam Ehlinger (Round 6, Pick 218) and Penn State Guard Will Fries (Round 7, Pick 248).

Rookie minicamp will also include undrafted free agents vying for roster spots. “We have a plan for each and every one of them. I don’t think they are as raw as people are leading on. I think they are good players. They’ll come and they’ll compete. They’re not guaranteed starting jobs, they have to earn that. That’s the reality of who we are and what our league is about,” said Colts general manager Chris Ballard.

“I don’t care if you’re a first-round pick or you’re an undrafted free agent, if you perform, you’re going to play. So we don’t – look, do we expect these guys to come in and play pretty significant roles? Absolutely you do, but it doesn’t always work out that way. So, they’ll come in, they’ll work and they’ll earn their time.”

Organised Team Activities (OTAs) will be hosted May 25-27, June 2-4, June 7-10 and Mandatory Minicamp takes place June 15-17.

Strachan, the former University of Charleston wide receiver and Grand Bahama native, was selected by the Colts with the first pick of the seventh round (229th overall).

He became the third Bahamian born player to be drafted into the NFL following Ed Smith in 1973 (Denver Broncos - Round 13, pick 319) and Devard Darling in 2004 (Baltimore Ravens - Round 3, pick 82).

Strachan became a fan favourite and garnered attention from several franchises following a standout performance at his Pro Day in March. He measured 6’5”, 228 pounds with 85” wingspan and 10” hands. He ran a 4.46 secs 40-yard dash, put up 20 reps on the bench press at 225 pounds, posted a 35” vertical leap, 10’7” broad jump, 4.20 secs in the short shuttle and 6.96 secs in the 3-cone drill.

“Mike is a big target who needs some developmental work,” Ballard said. “But he has a really unique skillset at wideout.”

Strachan was one of just eight players selected from the FCS and Division II and III levels.