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          NFL Nation

          Colts should focus on pass-rusher, O-line, running back at combine

          NC State's Bradley Chubb would give the Colts a pass-rushing complement to their talented secondary. William Howard/Icon Sportswire
          • Mike Wells, ESPN Staff WriterFeb 27, 2018, 01:00 PM
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            • Previously worked at Indianapolis Star, covering the Indiana Pacers for nine seasons
            • Also covered Vikings for St. Paul Pioneer Press
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          Here's a closer look at the positions the Indianapolis Colts could target at the NFL combine in Indianapolis:

          Positions of need: The good news is the Colts really can't go wrong when it comes to addressing positions of need. The bad news is that they have so many positions of need. What it'll come down to is the order in which the Colts go about addressing them all.

          Pass-rusher or running back first? Will the Colts surprise everybody and go with an offensive lineman in the first round?

          That's just the start of the things. The Colts also need to add depth at receiver behind T.Y. Hilton because Donte Moncrief and Kamar Aiken are headed to free agency, and add a middle linebacker as they go from a 3-4 defense to a 4-3 under new coach Frank Reich.

          Three players the Colts should focus on at combine:

          • Bradley Chubb, DE, NC State: Chubb is the pass-rusher the Colts need to go with their young and talented secondary. They've had a void since the now-retired Robert Mathis had 19.5 sacks in 2013. Opposing quarterbacks need to know where Chubb is lined up at on every snap. He had 54.5 tackles for a loss and 25 sacks during his final three seasons at NC State.

          • Saquon Barkley, RB, Penn State: Here's the running back that Andrew Luck has been waiting for. Frank Gore is the only Colt to crack 1,000 yards rushing since 2007. Barkley would give them an every-down back they can turn to. He rushed for 3,843 yards (5.7 per carry) and 43 touchdowns in three seasons at Penn State. Barkley and Marlon Mack, whom the Colts selected in the fourth round in 2017, would complement each other in the backfield.

          • Quenton Nelson, G, Notre Dame: The offensive line's problems are still there, some six years after the team drafted its franchise quarterback. Left tackle and center are the only two positions on the line where the Colts are set. Guard Jack Mewhort has missed 17 games over the past two seasons and is headed to free agency. Taking a guard at No. 3 might seem like a reach, but ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. says Nelson is ready to play right away. Kiper said Nelson "destroys people at the collegiate level." Teaming Nelson at left guard, where he started last season at Notre Dame, with tackle Anthony Castonzo would bring some stability on the left side of the offensive line.