This article is part of our NFL Draft series.
For a steady source of draft news and prospect analysis, make sure to follow us on Twitter at @NFLDraft2K14!
The Colts fought to an 11-5 record in 2013 as Andrew Luck carried a middling, injury-depleted roster to the divisional playoffs. The team has some nice building blocks, including a franchise quarterback, so now it's time to address a few glaring weaknesses. Luck spent his first two seasons behind subpar offensive lines, and by the end of 2013 he lacked reliable targets. Help is also needed in the defensive front seven, particularly up the middle.
1. Guard
The Colts do not have a first round pick due to the Trent Richardson deal. As a result, their first selection in the draft, barring a trade, will be at No. 59. Indianapolis only has four draft picks in all, so the Colts need to be wise in using their limited selections. Securing the interior offensive line is vital, not only to protect Andrew Luck, but also to open up holes in the running game. The Colts ranked 20th in the NFL in rushing yards per game in 2013, as injuries and inconsistency plagued the guard group.
2. Wide Receiver
Reggie Wayne's return for the beginning of the 2014 campaign is questionable after he tore his ACL in the middle of the 2013 season. T.Y. Hilton exploded in the playoffs, but the Colts are still thin at wideout. Indy won't get a shot at one of the top wide receivers in
For a steady source of draft news and prospect analysis, make sure to follow us on Twitter at @NFLDraft2K14!
The Colts fought to an 11-5 record in 2013 as Andrew Luck carried a middling, injury-depleted roster to the divisional playoffs. The team has some nice building blocks, including a franchise quarterback, so now it's time to address a few glaring weaknesses. Luck spent his first two seasons behind subpar offensive lines, and by the end of 2013 he lacked reliable targets. Help is also needed in the defensive front seven, particularly up the middle.
1. Guard
The Colts do not have a first round pick due to the Trent Richardson deal. As a result, their first selection in the draft, barring a trade, will be at No. 59. Indianapolis only has four draft picks in all, so the Colts need to be wise in using their limited selections. Securing the interior offensive line is vital, not only to protect Andrew Luck, but also to open up holes in the running game. The Colts ranked 20th in the NFL in rushing yards per game in 2013, as injuries and inconsistency plagued the guard group.
2. Wide Receiver
Reggie Wayne's return for the beginning of the 2014 campaign is questionable after he tore his ACL in the middle of the 2013 season. T.Y. Hilton exploded in the playoffs, but the Colts are still thin at wideout. Indy won't get a shot at one of the top wide receivers in this year's draft, but the class happens to be extremely deep, so expect the Colts to snatch up a pass catcher before the selection process is finished.
3. Inside Linebacker
The Colts could also target a safety or look to upgrade their pass rush alongside Robert Mathis, but an inside linebacker appears to be the more pressing need. Indianapolis was unable to find a sidekick for leading tackler Jerrell Freeman in the team's 3-4 scheme in 2013. The Colts were in the bottom third of the NFL in terms of rushing yards allowed, meaning they need another high-energy, sideline-to-sideline athlete.
Offensive guard
Second and third rounds
-Cyril Richardson, Baylor (6-5, 340)
-Xavier Su'a-Filo*, UCLA (6-3, 305)
-Gabe Jackson, Mississippi State (6-3, 340)
-Anthony Steen, Alabama (6-2, 310)
-Chris Watt, Notre Dame (6-3, 320)
Fourth round and later
-Brandon Linder, Miami (6-6, 320)
-Brandon Thomas, Clemson (6-3, 315)
-Kadeem Edwards, Tennessee State (6-3, 320)
-Jon Halapio, Florida (6-3, 320)
Second and third rounds
-Odell Beckham Jr.,* LSU (5-11, 190)
-Jarvis Landry*, LSU (6-0, 195)
-Davante Adams*, Fresno State (6-2, 220)
-Brandin Cooks*, Oregon State (5-10, 190)
-Paul Richardson*, Colorado (6-1, 170)
-Jared Abbrederis, Wisconsin (6-1, 190)
Fourth round and later
-Devin Street, Pittsburgh (6-3, 195)
-L'Damian Washington, Missouri (6-4, 255)
-Martavis Bryant*, Clemson (6-4, 200)
-Donte Moncrief*, Ole Miss (6-2, 230)
-Brandon Coleman*, Rutgers (6-5, 220)
-Jalen Saunders, Oklahoma (5-9, 160)
-Bruce Ellington*, South Carolina (5-9, 200)
Second and third rounds
-Shayne Skov, Stanford (6-2, 245)
-Chris Borland, Wisconsin (5-11, 250)
-Christian Jones, Florida State (6-3, 230)
-Lamin Barrow, LSU (6-1, 230)
-Yawin Smallwood, Connecticut (6-3, 240)
Fourth round and later
-Max Bullough, Michigan State (6-3, 245)
-Andrew Jackson, Western Kentucky (6-0, 260)
-DeDe Lattimore, South Florida (6-0, 237)
