Much has already been said this off-season about the Indianapolis Colts desire to improve their offensive line (I think I have done a post or two here to that degree). The team has made it no secret with the players that have been released and new ones added so far this off-season. So with that in mind, what else should the Colts be looking for?
While it might be a little surprising to see them go real high for this, the Colts could use some depth at linebacker. Clint Sessions and Gary Brackett are definitely established at their respective positions. Phillip Wheeler played well overall last season and will likely not lose his job unless the Colts bring in a big name. However, the team has let go their depth at the position in Tyjuan Hagler and Freddy Keiaho leaving them with three guys (Ramon Humber, Cody Glenn and Brandon Renkart) that contributed a total of 41 tackles to the club last year (with one not notching any).
The following are who the Colts may take/ have available if they decide to go with a linebacker in any particular round:
First: Daryl Washington, TCU or Sergio Kindle, Texas- both are projected to be late first round/ early second round picks. Both would be ready to contribute early as well coming from high profile college teams like TCU and Texas; Kindle may be the more pro ready of the two.
However, it would be surprising to see the Colts take a linebacker this early with all the attention that has been given to their offensive line needs.
Second: Brandon Spikes, Florida or Navorro Bowman, Penn State; two players from quality schools that have been very competitive of late; could translate into being more NFL ready than most prospects.
The Colts may also have a hard time passing up on a defensive line player like Terrence Cody out of Alabama. With the chances of Robert Mathis re-signing with the Colts not looking so good they will need to give Dwight Freeney a little help.
Prospects in other rounds will include: Third- Donald Butler, Washington, Eric Norwood, South Carolina; Fourth- Dekoda Watson, Florida State, Roddrick Muckelroy, Texas; Fifth- Phillip Dillard, Nebraska; Seventh- Rico McCoy, Tennessee.