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With the 29th pick in the first round of the 2015 NFL draft, The Indianapolis Colts select?

By William Dials

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The NFL draft is right around the corner Colts fans. As we all know by now the Indianapolis Colts own the 29th pick in the first round. Even after an eventful free agency period, the Colts still have a lot of holes to fill. Which leads us to the NFL draft. So many options the Colts could choose.

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Last year Indianapolis was without a first round pick, so this year all eyes will be on who the Colts choose first. Let’s take a look at some positions of need the Colts could take first.

1. Safety: Even with the addition of Dwight Lowery the Colts could benefit from a young safety. Lowery is age 29 and even coming off a Pro Bowl season, Mike Adams is 34. The player rated highest on most experts big boards is Landon Collins from the University of Alabama. I think if Collins is still available at No. 29, there’s no doubt the Colts pull the trigger.

2. Defensive Tackle/Nose Tackle: Owner Jim Irsay made the statement after the AFC title game loss, a mandate to stop the run> There are a bunch of run stuffing big bodies for the middle. I think at No. 29 there will be a run stuffing nose tackle available to help the Colts stop opposing running teams.

Guys like Danny Shelton and Arik Armstead may already be off the board already. I can see guys like Malcolm Brown or Eddie Goldman sitting on the board at No. 29. The Colts are always looking to find guys to help the middle of the D, this draft has an abundance of those types of players.

3. Offensive line: It’s been well noted the Colts have struggled with keeping o-linemen healthy. The Colts weren’t able to trot out the same lineup consistently until the playoffs began. If Andrew Luck is the face of the franchise, you’re going to have to protect him. I think the interior is where the Colts have holes. Center is a position with a huge quesction mark.

Cam Irving is a guy whom is very interesting and I can see him available at No. 29. Versatile player, played center mainly but made the change from tackle. I can definitely see Irving wearing a horse shoe helmet in 2015. There are a lot of good linemen available with mid-round grades.

If the Colts don’t go o-line in Round 1, I’m almost certain they will get a offensive lineman in the later rounds.

4. Outside linebacker/pass rusher: General manager Ryan Grigson has said “you can’t have too many pass rushers.” I can’t remember a draft that was this filled with pass rushers. There are pass rushers in just about every round. This position is interesting because I think it will highly effected by trades made to acquire targeted players by other teams. The Colts will face an abundance of good pocket passing quarterbacks this season so rushing the passer will be important.

5. Running back: Even with the addition of Frank Gore, running back is still a need with Gore at age 32. Again, another position with a lot of talent. The Colts could take a guy like Todd Gurley and let him rehab while you have Gore for the first year. Probably more likely that the Colts go running back in the later rounds.

However it will be interesting to see what happens if a Todd Gurley is still on the board at No. 29. This could be the draft the Colts get the third member of the Luck-T.Y. Hilton combo.

I see the Colts taking one of these positions in the first round. However, I do expect the Colts to acquire a player for all these positions at some point in the draft. Another areas the Colts may draft is inside linebacker, cornerback, and possibly receiver. I see those positions being taken if the Colts find themselves in a “take the best player available” situation.

The other option that ive come to realize could actually be the best option is to trade back. The Colts want to acquire depth and already own 9 picks. If the Colts trade back they still can fill all the positions of need and add depth.

The Colts have always been a team that does well in the draft. They have a plan and they stick by it.

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