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The NFL Draft Countdown is where we take a closer look at an NFL franchise to see what its transactions have been and what its needs are.
Franchise
- Draft Position: 31
- 2009 Season Result: 14-2 (1st in AFC South; Lost in Super Bowl)
- 2009 Head Coach: Jim Caldwell
- 2010 Head Coach: Jim Caldwell (14-2; 2-1)
Key Transactions
- G Ryan Lilja (to KC)
- DB Marlin Jackson (to PHI)
Draft Picks
- 1-31
- 2-31
- 3-30
- 4-31
- 5-31
- 7-31
- 7-33
- 7-39
Analysis & Outlook
Jim Caldwell almost won the Super Bowl as a rookie HC and it’s back to the drawing board now. The Colts have some re-tooling to do on defense. Priority is to bring back Ss Antoine Bethea and Melvin Bullitt. The departure of CBs Marlin Jackson and Tim Jennings also leaves the Colts thin at corner. The Colts did manage to re-sign one of their most important players, LB Gary Brackett.
On offense, the Colts will focus on getting a contract extension for QB Peyton Manning. There’s no doubt that this will be the biggest contract in the league. I mean, he is only a four-time league MVP… The other priority is investing along the line. They’ve signed a number of younger players like T Adam Terry and G Andy Alleman, and will work towards building a sustainable O-Line. An O-Line that will have to protect Peyton Manning long enough to hit his targets on what looks to be an intimidating passing offense with WR Anthony Gonzalez coming back from injury. Can you imagine empty sets with Reggie Wayne, Anthony Gonzalez, Pierre Garçon, Austin Collie and Dallas Clark? Throw in the fact that they have two first-round caliber RBs in Joseph Addai and Donald Brown, and the Colts offense looks formidable on paper, again.
The Colts typically draft on value rather than need. Nevertheless, I think they’re in the right spot in the first round to draft a CB, either Kyle Wilson or Devin McCourty. Patrick Robinson is also an option but I was a bit disappointed with his workout at the Combine. Alternatives in round 1 are O-Lineman Maurkice Pouncey and LB Daryl Washington. Look for them to target the best available player with a special interest in DBs, LBs and O-Linemen in the subsequent rounds.
The Colts look very strong offensively but have some concerns on defense that they must address. Their pass rush is strong with Freeney and Mathis but the secondary is weak on the outside.
The NFL Draft Countdown is where we take a closer look at an NFL franchise to see what its transactions have been and what its needs are.
Franchise
- Draft Position: 31
- 2009 Season Result: 14-2 (1st in AFC South; Lost in Super Bowl)
- 2009 Head Coach: Jim Caldwell
- 2010 Head Coach: Jim Caldwell (14-2; 2-1)
Key Transactions
- G Ryan Lilja (to KC)
- DB Marlin Jackson (to PHI)
Draft Picks
- 1-31
- 2-31
- 3-30
- 4-31
- 5-31
- 7-31
- 7-33
- 7-39
Analysis & Outlook
Jim Caldwell almost won the Super Bowl as a rookie HC and it’s back to the drawing board now. The Colts have some re-tooling to do on defense. Priority is to bring back Ss Antoine Bethea and Melvin Bullitt. The departure of CBs Marlin Jackson and Tim Jennings also leaves the Colts thin at corner. The Colts did manage to re-sign one of their most important players, LB Gary Brackett.
On offense, the Colts will focus on getting a contract extension for QB Peyton Manning. There’s no doubt that this will be the biggest contract in the league. I mean, he is only a four-time league MVP… The other priority is investing along the line. They’ve signed a number of younger players like T Adam Terry and G Andy Alleman, and will work towards building a sustainable O-Line. An O-Line that will have to protect Peyton Manning long enough to hit his targets on what looks to be an intimidating passing offense with WR Anthony Gonzalez coming back from injury. Can you imagine empty sets with Reggie Wayne, Anthony Gonzalez, Pierre Garçon, Austin Collie and Dallas Clark? Throw in the fact that they have two first-round caliber RBs in Joseph Addai and Donald Brown, and the Colts offense looks formidable on paper, again.
The Colts typically draft on value rather than need. Nevertheless, I think they’re in the right spot in the first round to draft a CB, either Kyle Wilson or Devin McCourty. Patrick Robinson is also an option but I was a bit disappointed with his workout at the Combine. Alternatives in round 1 are O-Lineman Maurkice Pouncey and LB Daryl Washington. Look for them to target the best available player with a special interest in DBs, LBs and O-Linemen in the subsequent rounds.
The Colts look very strong offensively but have some concerns on defense that they must address. Their pass rush is strong with Freeney and Mathis but the secondary is weak on the outside.