Colts GM Ryan Grigson discusses 2016 NFL Draft

There are just eight days until the NFL Draft and Colts GM Ryan Grigson spoke with the media to shed some light about the team’s approach this time around.

“We’ve got to really knock this out of the park.”

That’s what Colts GM Ryan Grigson said about the upcoming Draft. With just eight day to go before team’s are on the clock, Grigson spoke with the media about the team’s approach, their shift in team-building philosophy, and the importance of getting it right this year.

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The Colts hold the 18th pick in the draft, the highest since they had the first pick in 2012. They also have just six picks, and for a team that needs to get younger and has a lot of holes to fill (or upgrade), that might not be enough.

The Colts are transitioning away from free agency and focused more on bringing in and developing young talent going forward. That is what happens when you’re about to spend $20-plus million a year on a quarterback (who is worth every penny, by the way). That means a different approach when scouting and selecting players in the draft.

"“It’s a little bit different mindset,” Grigson said. “We were attacking things before because we were so close (in the past), I feel like we truly need to have some patience because we don’t have the resources to plug and play (via free agency).“Now it’s about acquiring young players or older players that fit those parameters and that fit the puzzle. Development is a huge key aspect of our teams moving forward.”"

The Colts two biggest needs, pass rush and offensive line, are basically at opposite ends of the spectrum in this draft. There aren’t many top tier pass rushers in this draft, but rather a number of players with potential. But in the trenches the draft is very deep, on both the offensive and defensive lines. That means the Colts could skip the line in the first round and get the potentially dynamic EDGE rusher they sorely need.

"“There is some good depth in the trenches, both D-line and offensive line,” Grigson said. “I think that pass rush is all in the eye of the beholder. It’s where you take them. There are guys that are talented, that have the juice and the athleticism, but don’t have the production. That to me is a red flag. There are guys that have the high sack numbers but don’t have the length or oohs and aahs.”"

Grigson also shed some light on his approach to the draft. That is, the Colts will focus on talent over need. Grigson stated that you can’t you can’t solely draft based on need because it goes counter to the evaluation process. If the Colts were to focus only on need it would be detrimental to the work the scouting staff has put in.

"“It breaks the trust and the morale of the guys that are stacking your board with you,” Grigson said. “Certain things sway you, positionally, but you still want the most talented player. It is weak to draft based on need. It goes counter to the evaluation process.”"

The Colts can’t ignore their player rankings just to pick someone at a position of need. They have to stay disciplined in their approach. This is the reasoning that led to the Colts taking Phillip Dorsett in the first round last year. While that seemed to be a bad decision at the time, Dorsett will now be the starting slot receiver on the roster in 2016 and helps round out a very good group of wide outs.

Next: Grigson says that Luck is 'Fine'

Grigson certainly seemed more relaxed this year than he did at this time in 2015. While there are high expectations there isn’t nearly the same amount of pressure on him, the staff, and team as last season.

That doesn’t mean this draft isn’t as important, but there is a more relaxed, easy going atmosphere this time around.

We’ll have more on the Colts and the draft as the week progresses.

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