Indianapolis Colts head coach Chuck Pagano watches from the sidelines. File photo by Archie Carpenter/UPI |
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The Indianapolis Colts have seven picks in the NFL Draft, including No. 15 in the first round April 27 in Philadelphia.
Chuck Pagano remains the team's head coach, even after the departure of general manager Ryan Grigson, who was replaced by Chris Ballard.
There remains a lot of work to be done, although there is always hope with the quarterback spot manned by Andrew Luck. Several linebackers were added in free agency, but help is needed in the secondary and in the pass rush. That is evident following the retirement of Robert Mathis.
While Frank Gore remains productive, he turns 34 in May, so an injection of youth could happen in a draft deep with quality runners.
Here is a look at the Colts five-year draft record with roster tallies reflecting totals as of the end of the 2016 season. Below that are key personnel moves made this year and the team's current needs heading into this draft and our projection for all their 2017 picks.
FIVE-YEAR DRAFT BREAKDOWN
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .2012 . .2013 . .2014 . .2015 . .2016
TOTAL PICKS . . . .6 . . . . . .7 . . . . .5 . . . . .8 . . . .8
STARTERS . . . . . .3 . . . . . .0 . . . . .2 . . . . .2 . . . .3
BACKUPS . . . . . .0 . . . . . .1 . . . . .0 . . . . .4 . . . .4
OTHER TEAMS . . .1 . . . . .1 . . . . .1 . . . . .1 . . . .1
OUT OF LEAGUE . .2 . . . . .5 . . . . .2 . . . . .1 . . .0
Top three draft needs
1. Edge rusher/linebacker: Still the top need for a Colts defense that is currently in remodel mode. Indianapolis lost franchise sack leader Robert Mathis to retirement and did not re-sign UFA Erik Walden. Finding a young outside rush linebacker in the first round would be a plus.
2. Cornerback: The Colts released 2016 veteran free-agent signee Patrick Robinson, who has since been added to the Philadelphia roster. Veteran Pro Bowl performer Vontae Davis returned, but he has been bothered by injury and inconsistency issues. Adding an athletic, play-making cornerback somewhere in the first three rounds is the plan for now.
3. Running back: Veterans Frank Gore and Robert Turbin will be back for 2017. Indianapolis would like to find the eventual heir apparent to Gore in this year's draft. The Colts, though, are not expected to address the running back situation until the middle to later rounds. That plan could change if the right running back drops into their laps earlier in the draft.
MOCK DRAFT
Below is a list of every pick for the Colts in the 2017 NFL Draft, with players suggested by NFLDraftScout.com Sr. Analyst Dane Brugler. Who would you take? Let us know in comments.
Round and overall pick number listed, along with player, position, school, height, weight and 40-yard dash time. (* - indicates compensatory pick)
1/15: Haason Reddick, LB, Temple (6-1, 237, 4.52)
2/46: Chidobe Awuzie, CB, Colorado (6-0, 202, 4.43)
3/80: Dalvin Tomlinson, DL, Alabama (6-3, 310, 5.19)
4/122: Jamaal Williams, RB, BYU (6-0, 212, 4.53)
4/137: D.J. Jones, DT, Ole Miss (6-1, 319, 5.04)
4/*144: Chad Wheeler, OT, USC (6-7, 306, 5.24)
5/158: Jeremy Sprinkle, TE, Arkansas (6-5, 252, 4.61)
Now it's your turn. NFLDraftScout.com is ready to help with its list of the top 1,000 prospects in this draft.
-- Howard Balzer and TSX NFL team insiders contributed to this analysis.