In March, it was all about improving your roster via free agency. One month later, teams are looking towards the upcoming NFL Draft to address their remaining needs. With the draft fast approaching, the NFL department at Last Word on Sports will be profiling the three most glaring positional needs for all 32 NFL teams. Here, the Indianapolis Colts are the focus.
The Colts were not very active in free agency. Their biggest acquisition was cornerback Patrick Robinson, who signed a three-year, $14 million with the team. Robinson had played the 2015 season with the San Diego Chargers.
Among Indy’s notable losses in free agency was tight end Coby Fleener and inside linebacker Jerrell Freeman. Fleener inked a five-year, $36 million deal with the Saints, while Freeman moved north to the Bears for three years and $12 million.
Indianapolis Colts 2016 NFL Draft: Top 3 Needs
Outside Linebacker
Freeman’s departure may imply a forthcoming need on the inside of the Colts linebacking corps. But they got fairly good production from D’Qwell Jackson last season as well and have quite a bit of depth that should help them in 2016. The same isn’t the case at outside linebacker.
Robert Mathis was arguably the best player for the Colts at the position. He finished with seven sacks which was tied for the most on the team with Kendall Langford. But the soon-to-be 14-year veteran of the league is 35 and not too far removed from a torn Achilles tendon that forced him to miss all of 2014. And Indy has just three other outside linebackers on the roster.
So it’s pretty clear that Indy needs to add a body or two on the perimeter of their 3-4 scheme. They could elect to go with a player like Kevin Dodd in the first round who played in a similar setup at Clemson. Other possible options might be edge rushers such as Shaq Lawson, Emmanuel Ogbah or Noah Spence. The aim there would be to eventually convert them to more upright edge defenders in a 3-4. If they decide to take a middle to late round flier, players such as Georgia’s Jordan Jenkins might be a possibility.
Defensive Tackle
The Colts dealt with injuries and lack of experience at this position in 2015. Arthur Jones, who signed a five-year deal with the team a year earlier, missed virtually all of last season with an ankle injury. Currently, four interior defensive linemen on the roster are undrafted and have been in the league for two years or less. That could force Indy to attempt to address this positional need via the draft.
If they do, the best course of action might be looking towards the middle rounds. The Colts pick 48th in round two. Louisiana Tech’s Vernon Butler could be available there, but has been vaulting up draft boards lately. UCLA’s Kenny Clark, Nebraska’s Vincent Valentine or Penn State’s Austin Johnson might be options later in the draft.
Offensive Line
There are a few gaping holes in the Colts offensive line that need to be addressed via the draft. Though Jack Mewhort has developed into a capable guard and Anthony Castonzo has done the same at tackle, things are much less settled elsewhere. This is especially the case at center. Their current starter, Jonotthan Harison, was ranked 25th in the league at the position by Pro Football Focus. In many respects, the franchise has been in the proverbial wilderness at center since the departure of Jeff Saturday.
A few mock drafts have the Colts looking at Alabama center Ryan Kelly. His play on the Crimson Tide offensive line played a major role in Derrick Henry’s effectiveness as a runner. He also has the versatility to possibly move over to guard should injuries necessitate it. Kelly reportedly had an impressive Pro Day and as a result could end up as a day one selection. And given the Colts fairly significant need at the position, they might be tempted to reach a bit and pick him 18th.
Another offensive lineman who has been attracting the interest of teams is left tackle Jason Spriggs. Having played at Indiana, Spriggs would certainly have a lot of fans in the Lucas Oil Stadium stands. The only problem with him is that he’ll likely be off the board by the time the Colts make their second round selection.
