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Indianapolis Colts: Ryan Grigson Must Be Wise In The First Round

By Garrett Hagan

Nov 29, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts general manager Ryan Grigson (right) and Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay talk before the Tampa Bay Buccaneers game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas J. Russo-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 29, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts general manager Ryan Grigson (right) and Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay talk before the Tampa Bay Buccaneers game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas J. Russo-USA TODAY Sports /
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Indianapolis Colts General Manager Ryan Grigson owns the rights to the 18th-pick in this year’s NFL Draft. All eyes will be on Grigson as he looks to address some serious needs for the Colts.

The Indianapolis Colts had a season in 2015 that not many had anticipated. After winning 11 games and making it to the AFC Championship game during the 2014 campaign, as well as the additions of veterans Frank Gore and Andre Johnson, the Colts were favored by many to hoist the Lombardi trophy in Super Bowl 50.

Instead, they finished the season with eight wins and only having quarterback Andrew Luck appear in seven games due to injury. Some can attribute Luck’s injuries last season as a result of a leaky offensive line that many times collapsed, forcing Luck to have to scramble to avoid pressure and oftentimes taking numerous unnecessary hits.

Along with the offensive line, the defensive line is also a serious area of need for a Colts team that ranked 26th in yards allowed (379.1 YPG). Rookie Henry Anderson shined for the Colts on the defensive line before his season ended due to a torn ACL suffered in a week nine win over the Denver Broncos.

It goes without saying that Grigson should select either an offensive or defensive line prospect once the Colts are on the clock at No. 18. Aside from selecting Luck first overall in 2012, Grigson has had mixed results with first round picks and has been criticized heavily for his misses. Here is some insight on Grigson’s Colts draft history in the first round:

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  • 2012 Round 1, Pick No. 1 – Andrew Luck (Quarterback)
  • 2013 Round 1, Pick No. 24 – Bjoern Werner (Outside Linebacker)
  • 2014 – Traded first-round pick to the Cleveland Browns in exchange for running back Trent Richardson
  • 2015 – Round 1, Pick No. 29 – Phillip Dorsett (Wide Receiver)

While the book is still out on Dorsett it appears that Grigson has only succeeded in the Luck pick, which was an absolute no-brainer at the time. Werner never developed into the all-American player he once was at Florida State and Richardson was an absolute bust who consistently struggled to maintain his weight, resulting in numerous fines from the team. Both Werner and Richardson now find themselves without a team as the 2016 season approaches.

Next: Indianapolis Colts: Is Kamalei Correa Their 2nd Round Pick?

Luckily for the Colts, this is a draft class that is rich with offensive and defensive line prospects. The Colts could get a solid talent with the 18th pick to help shore up the right side of the offensive line, the weakest link of the unit.

Colts fans and the local media will be eager to see what Grigson has up his sleeve come draft night. Considering the team’s lack of activity thus far in free agency, the front-office must hit a home run in the first round if they want to get the Colts back to being contenders and amongst some of the league’s best.

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