Colts Reportedly Like, Maybe Even Love Forrest Lamp with First Round Pick

According to the Indianapolis Star’s Stephen Holder, the Indianapolis Colts may reportedly like–maybe even love Western Kentucky offensive guard Forrest Lamp.

Holder has heard Lamp’s name being thrown around for the Colts with the 15th overall selection:

The 6’4″, 309 pound senior captain started 12 games for the Hilltoppers at left tackle last season, earning First-Team All-Conference USA and 3rd-Team All-American honors respectively. However, he projects to be an offensive guard at the professional level.

Nevertheless, he’s widely regarded as the top offensive line prospect in this year’s draft class, as he has been dominant over the past three seasons–with 51 career starts over his 4-year collegiate career:

Here’s his NFL.com Draft Profile:

"Sep 10, 2016; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Western Kentucky Hilltoppers offensive lineman Forrest Lamp (76) blocks Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Tim Williams (56) at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY SportsDRAFT PROJECTIONRound 1SOURCES TELL US“He’s the real deal. If he can snap, you could get away with playing him all up and down the line. Great feet, strong, smart.” — AFC executiveNFL COMPARISONZach MartinBOTTOM LINEFour-year starter at left tackle whose lack of length will likely force him inside on the next level. He has the athleticism to handle athletic interior rushers while being able to fit into diverse rushing attacks that ask more from the guards and centers. His ability to potentially line up at tackle, guard or center will only increase his value. Lamp’s 2016 performance against Alabama’s talented edge players was a resume-builder that shined a spotlight on his potential as a pro."

While there’s no questioning that Lamp would be an immediate ‘plug-and-play’ starter for the Colts (much like 1st rounder Ryan Kelly was for the team at center), it’s arguable whether this is the best approach given the holes on the roster–especially on defense.

Yes, Lamp would improve the right side of the Colts offensive line (which has question marks), but the team already has a promising young guard, Joe Haeg (not to mention added veteran Brian Schwenke), and while NFL ready, Lamp will make his fair share of rookie mistakes nevertheless. The point being that a veteran guard would’ve helped the Colts, whereas a rookie is going to have to undergo his own growing pains regardless.

I’m not saying Lamp wouldn’t help the Colts immediately, but to me, I’m staring at the Colts defense and wondering whether Andrew Luck and the offense are going to have to put up 30+ points a week as it stands to realistically win.

Next: One of ‘Most Accurate’ Mock Draft Experts, Bob McGinn, Has Colts Taking Jarrad Davis

Given the deficiencies at pass rusher and cornerback–and to a slightly lesser extent at inside linebacker, the Colts could be better served addressing their glaring defensive holes first and foremost (if it coincides near their draft board’s ‘Best Player Available’).

It doesn’t mean that Lamp wouldn’t be a sure-fire double or even triple for new general manager Chris Ballard, but at this point and given the talent defensively of this year’s draft, I’m just wondering whether he should swing for the fences on defense–given how devoid the Colts defense is of top-tier playmakers.