INDIANAPOLIS -- Pass-rusher. Cornerback. Running back.
Those are the three biggest needs for the Indianapolis Colts in the draft, which has finally arrived. The Colts, currently at least, have seven picks, all in the first five rounds.
While linebacker, cornerback and running back sit at the top of the list, the Colts have other positions that need to be addressed as well.
New general manager Chris Ballard has made it abundantly clear about his desire to build the team’s roster through the draft. He wants as many bodies as possible because he wants to make the roster as competitive as possible. That should be expected when you take into consideration the drastic fall the Colts have taken the past couple seasons.
Right guard
All indications are that this is Joe Haeg's position to lose heading into next season. He started 14 of the 15 games he played as a rookie. The Colts also signed Brian Schwenke, who will play guard and center if needed. Haeg has all the tools to lock down right guard for years to come, but it wouldn’t be surprising if the Colts selected another guard in the draft. Need: Medium
Right tackle
This is another position where the Colts believe they could have their right tackle of the future in second-year player Le’Raven Clark. The former Texas Tech player didn’t make his first start until Week 15 after being inactive for eight games last season. But Clark is proving that he can make the transition from playing on the line in the spread passing game at Texas Tech to being an NFL lineman. This would be another move to add to the competition at tackle. Need: Medium
Safety
On paper, the Colts seem to have a nice foundation there with T.J. Green, Clayton Geathers and the veteran Darius Butler as the top three players at that position. The issue I have there is that Green, who is very athletic, struggled during his rookie season. What can’t go unnoticed about Green is that he switched to safety from receiver for his final two seasons at Clemson. Geathers, a hard-hitting third-year player, missed a total of eight games to injuries in his first two seasons. Need: Low
Receiver
Things look pretty for the Colts on paper again with T.Y. Hilton, Donte Moncrief, Phillip Dorsett and free-agent signing Kamar Aiken. But again, you have to look a little deeper because Moncrief is coming off a 2016 season when he missed seven games. Everybody is still waiting on Dorsett, who has 51 receptions for 753 yards and three touchdowns in two seasons, to live up to the hype of being a first-round pick in 2015. The clock is ticking on Dorsett, as Aiken will push him for that third receiver spot. Need: Medium
Inside linebacker
The emphasis at linebacker has been on the outside, but a valid argument can be made that they also need to plug some holes on the inside. It wouldn’t be surprising if the Colts take a hard look at Alabama’s Reuben Foster if he’s still on the board when they pick at No. 15. Indianapolis signed Sean Spence during free agency to go with Edwin Jackson and Antonio Morrison, two young players who both have potential. Finding a player to anchor the middle of that linebacker group is vital for the Colts. Need: High