2016 NFL Draft: Indianapolis Colts wisely invest in offensive line
By Nick Ziegler
The Indianapolis Colts had a good few days in the 2016 NFL Draft, as they addressed some serious needs during the draft.
It was a very difficult 2015 season for the Indianapolis Colts, who missed the playoffs for the first time since the team drafted Andrew Luck. Injuries to Luck really affected him last season, as a poor offensive line in his tenure with the Colts finally caught up to him.
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The biggest need for the Colts heading into the draft was to begin to build a young offensive line to protect luck, and they did just that. With their first round pick, the Colts selected center Ryan Kelly from Alabama. Kelly was rated as the best center in the draft almost unanimously, and he will be a starter for the Colts from Day 1.
At Alabama, Kelly blocked for Heisman Trophy winner Derrick Henry last season, and he was a key part of the team success of the Crimson Tide. Being a three-year starter at Alabama will help Kelly make his jump to the next level, as he will look to be the key piece protecting Luck for years to come.
In the third round, the Colts continued to add players to their offensive line with the selection of Le’Raven Clark from Texas Tech. Clark started 51 straight games for the Red Raiders, with three of the seasons being at left tackle. At the next level, Clark is likely to be best-suited to be moved to the inside, and with some coaching he can be a starter out of the third round.
Maybe the most interesting of the Colts’ three offensive line picks in the NFL draft was the selection of Joe Haeg in the fifth round. Haeg was a four-year starter at North Dakota State and a five-time National Champion. For his last two seasons at North Dakota State, Haeg was the left tackle for Carson Wentz, who was the second overall pick by the Philadelphia Eagles. Haeg’s arm length is concerning for his move to the next level as a tackle, as he could be moved to the inside.
The decision to draft three offensive linemen was a good call by the Colts, who desperately needed both talent and depth. In the Colts’ division, they have to contend with the Houston Texans who have the best defensive end in football in J.J. Watt, and also hope that Jadeveon Clowney becomes and elite pass-rusher.
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As recent as last year, the Denver Broncos showed that having an elite quarterback isn’t enough to beat a team with a great pass-rush, as a good pass-rush will knock an elite quarterback down. In addition to protecting Luck, and improved offensive line will also hopefully begin to help a running game that has struggled the past few seasons.
The Colts will hope that the big investment they made into their offensive line in the NFL Draft will pay off in 2016, as they look to reclaim the division title in a much-improved AFC South.