How Did the 2013 NFL Draft Go for the Indianapolis Colts?

The 2013 NFL Draft came and went with the usual flavor and feverish rush of snatch-and-grab attractions. As the final rounds of the draft approached on Saturday afternoon, teams in the league were picking up players left and right. The last hours of the draft seemed similar to a fire sale from a clearance store.

The Indianapolis Colts made the most out of what they had in the draft, including the very final overall pick in round seven. Indianapolis had holes to fill, especially in the pass-rush and offensive line areas. Even without a pick in the second round, the Colts seemed to get exactly what they were looking for. The new regime of general manager Ryan Grigson and head coach Chuck Pagano used their second draft in Indianapolis to once again reload their team.

Indianapolis filled the biggest hole on their roster right away, literally. The Colts took outside linebacker/defensive end Bjoern Werner with the 24th overall pick, using their first draft selection on a big pass rusher. Their next two selections (in rounds three and four) were used on the offensive line. Just like that, the Colts bolstered the two most glaring omissions on their roster.

Indianapolis sprinkled the remainder of their draft picks around in various areas. The Colts found a speedy running back, who can also be used as a special teams weapon. The Colts also loaded a few spots on defense as well, getting a safety and defensive tackle. With the final pick in the final round, Indianapolis even brought in a big-bodied blocking tight end.

The Colts didn’t need much help, considering how much they improved last season. Still, the NFL is a constantly changing entity, and this team will need to build for both the present and the future. Considering how well the Colts have done in their last two drafts, it seems that the future will be bright.