2011 Indianapolis Colts NFL Draft Needs

The Indianapolis Colts are on the clock with the 22nd overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft. Let’s take a look at their biggest needs and how those needs might be addressed in the draft.

1. Offensive Tackle: Adding depth and talent up front must start now so the Colts can protect their largest investment – Peyton Manning. Manning avoided a lot of sacks last season by getting rid of the ball quickly and still put up MVP-caliber numbers.  Imagine is the boys up front can give him a little more time.  The Colts also need to improve their running game, which finished 29th last season, so opposing defenses can’t key on the pass as much. Left tackle Charlie Johnson is a free agent and right tackle Ryan Diem will turn 32 in July. With all this in mind, I expect the Colts to take a tackle with their top pick. Wisconsin’s Game Carimi, Colorado’s Nate Solder and Boston College’s Anthony Castonzo are all targets at this stage of the first round. Carimi is big and physical at 6-foot-7, 314 pounds. He is an average pass-blocker but has the potential to get better in that area. He is an outstanding run-blocker, however. Solder is another monster, checking in at over 6-foot-8 and 319 pounds. He is extremely athletic for his size, as evidence by his 4.96 40-yard dash time. He may not have as much brute strength as Carimi but has more quickness and athleticism. Castonzo’s stock has risen, which means he may not be on the board when the Colts pick at 22nd overall. He also has great size at 6-foo-7, 311 pounds and has the type of football IQ Manning could fall in love with. Recent offensive line picks like Tony Ugoh and Mike Pollak have backfired, but I’d be shocked if any of these three are misses.

2. Offensive Guard/Center: Center Jeff Saturday will turn 36 in June. He’s one of the best but can’t have too many more years left in him. With this in mind, the Colts will likely be looking for his heir apparent in round two or three. Florida State’s Rodney Hudson is an option in the second round and Wisconsin’s John Moffitt is a likely target in the third. Both players have experience playing guard and center.

3. Defensive Tackle: The Colts have placed an emphasis on speed and quickness up front but that has left them susceptible to power running teams with big offensive lines. In fact, the Colts ranked just 25th against the run a season ago. They must improve up front playing in a division that boasts running backs Maurice Jones-Drew, Arian Foster and Chris Johnson. They could potentially fill this need in round two with a player like Iowa’s Christian Ballard. The Colts have had a lot of success drafting players from Iowa so you can bet Ballard is on their radar. He fits into Indy’s mold as a speed guy, but also displays the toughness to do battle in the trenches. The Colts could also get a guy like LSU’s Drake Nevis if they wait until round three to fill this need.

4. Running Back: I know the offensively line must share responsibility for Indy’s lackluster running attack, but I’m not sold on Indy’s backfield performers. Joseph Addai’s days as a Colt appear to be numbered and Mike Hart and Donald Brown haven’t been very durable or productive. With this in mind, Indy may not be able to pass up a chance to get a player like Illinois’ Mikel Leshoure in round two.

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