The Colts hit the football jackpot two years ago when they lucked out with the best quarterback prospect we’ve seen in decades in Andrew Luck, a surprisingly underused pun in todays football lingo. The move solidified the smoothest transition in NFL history after the Colts went from 14 seasons with future Hall of Famer Peyton Manning to whats sure to be another decade of perfection at the quarterback position with Luck. Now, with the most important position in sports taken care of, the Colts are ready to build a franchise around Luck. Getting him the weapons and protection he needs to continue progressing has to be a top priority, as well as building a defense that can win games on its own, for those Sundays when luck isn’t feeling so lucky.
5. Running Back
Lets get this one out of the way. Jim Irsay threw a first round pick in the garbage when he traded his away for Trent Richardson. A former top-5 overall pick, Richardson has been a bust since entering the league, and has continued that reputation since arriving in Indianapolis. Richardson looked completely lost when looking for his lanes and holes to run through as he averaged a mild 3 yards per carry in 16 games for the Colts. His back up Donald Brown, who was a far more effective ball carrier, fled in free agency, leaving the team in a messy situation.
The Colts without a first round pick as is, certainly can’t invest another high draft choice on a position that is defaulting in value in todays NFL standards. Good news for them, there is bevy of options at running back in this Mays draft, specifically in the mid to late rounds. Guys like Devonte Freeman, Terrence West, and Charles Sims would be intriguing options, as they all have big play potential, and would be solid value later in the draft.
4. Linebacker
The Colts grabbed one of the top linebackers in free agency with D’ Qwell Jackson who will jump in the middle of the Colts 3-4 defense and play next to last years first-round pick Bjorn Werner. However, with Robert Mathis going on 34 years old and no one else note worthy in the middle opposite of Jackson, its clear the Colts need to add depth and youth and the position. Chris Borland and Shane Skov jumped to mind to play on the inside in the third round, while Christian Jones and Kyle Van Noy would make ideal replacements to Mathis on the outside as they could learn from one of the best.
3. Defensive Line
After Robert Mathis, no player on the Colts roster had more than six sacks. Although, some will blame that on the defensive scheme noting the outside linebackers are the ones that are supposed to get after the quarterback, its clear the defensive line needs a playmaker to penetrate into the backfield and demand more attention. Good chance if I were to name the Colts three down lineman you wouldn’t be able to recognize any of them, proving more so the team is in dire need of a influx of talent.
Stanford’s Trent Murphy would be a tremendous fit with his hand in the ground at the defensive end position. He is a bit of a tweener at this point and will need to commit to the position by putting on more bulk and weight, but possess on the tools to succeed at the five-technique including one of the highest motors in the draft. Daniel McCullers (Tennessee) and Bruce Gatson (Purdue) are two pure nose tackles that will eat up blockers in a 3-4 and make everyones life around them much easier. Both players should still be available in the fourth round and would be good value for a possible starter.
2. Offensive Line
Having no first round pick the Colts have shot themselves in the foot this year with so many pieces still needed for their puzzle. However, they will be able to take advantage of an incredibly deep offensive line class, which happens to be one of their biggest needs. Anthony Castonzo is an above average left tackle at best, besides him the other four positions could all be argued to be upgraded. Again, with such a deep class there will be plenty of great options in the later rounds. If the team wants to use their first selection on an offensive lineman, guys like North Dakota State’s Billy Turner and Nevada’s Joel Bitnio would both be day one starters the Colts could draft in the second round.
1. Safety
In todays pass heavy league, its vital to have a talented safety tandem. Former starter and veteran Anthony Bethea bolted for the bay to play with San Francisco while LaRon Landry only started 12 games due to injury. Landry will certainly be plugged in as the starting strong safety, but it will be important to add quality depth behind him if and when he goes down again. Meanwhile the free safety position opposite of him is completely blank.
With the depth in this draft at offensive line, the Colts would be wise to use their first pick (second rounder) on a free safety right out the gate. The big three will be off the board by their selection (Ha-Ha Clinton Dix, Calvin Pryor, and Jimmie Ward) which leaves Washington State’s Deone Bucannon and Florida State’s Terrence Brooks the next best options. While Bucannon is more of the ball hawking center fielder, Brooks is a converted linebacker who has a more well rounded game. Both players would be an immediate upgrade and would step in next to Landry to form a nice one-two punch in the secondary.