Ink on Indy
Fansided

Indianapolis Colts Select Ryan Kelly With The 18th Pick

By Garrett Hagan

Dec 31, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide tackle Ryan Kelly (70) protects quarterback Jake Coker (14) against the Michigan State Spartans in the third quarter in the 2015 CFP semifinal at the Cotton Bowl at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 31, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide tackle Ryan Kelly (70) protects quarterback Jake Coker (14) against the Michigan State Spartans in the third quarter in the 2015 CFP semifinal at the Cotton Bowl at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

The Indianapolis Colts selected Alabama center Ryan Kelly with the 18th-overall selection in this year’s draft.

The Indianapolis Colts’ offensive line was one of the weakest links on a team that finished with just eight wins in a disappointing 2015 season. Quarterback Andrew Luck missed nine games due to injury, and the offensive line was one of the major reasons as to why.

General Manager Ryan Grigson emphasized the team’s need to protect Luck when he took over as the Colt’s GM in 2012, but that’s not exactly what followed. Too many times over his first four seasons was the pocket collapsing on Luck, resulting in too many hits on the young quarterback and eventual injury.

Grigson and the Colts made sure on Thursday night that they would get Luck the protection that he needs, and just that they did when they took Ryan Kelly at No. 18.

More from Ink on Indy

Kelly was rated as the best center in this year’s draft class, and the 25th-best prospect over all.

This is a great selection for Grigson, as he has a rather poor first-round drafting history. With the selection of Kelly, the Colts get a reliable player to help shore up the offensive line aside from Anthony Castonzo and Jack Mewhort.

Kelly was a three-year starter while at Alabama and earned the Rimington Trophy Award, which is given to the nation’s best center. He was also a consensus first team All-American selection that same year.

With offensive line help being a glaring need for the Colts heading into the draft, it appears at first glance that Grigson may have saved face a little bit with the selection.

And now remains the question, do the Colts focus on the offense or defense the rest of the way?

Next: Indianapolis Colts: Should They Draft A Pass Rusher In The 2nd Round

With five remaining selections in the draft, the Colt’s front-office looks to further improve their roster and fill up more holes.

Be sure to follow Ink On Indy as we continue our coverage of the 2016 NFL Draft for the Indianapolis Colts.

Home/Andrew Luck