It’s Time For The Colts To Draft a Quarterback

Andrew Luck was placed on Injured Reserve early this week. With the Colts’ season likely to land them a Top 5 pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, should Indianapolis select a quarterback?

Andrew Luck’s season is over. This is the second time in three years that Luck will finish the season on Injured Reserve, and this year he was unable to get on the field at all.

After undergoing shoulder surgery in January, Luck returned to practice in October, only to have soreness flare up in his surgically-repaired shoulder. This setback caused the Colts to shut him down for the season.

If this story sounds somewhat familiar, it is. In 2015, Luck was sidelined for what was supposed to be 2-6 weeks with a lacerated kidney and partially torn abdominal muscle. Those calculations were wrong as the recovery from that injury took longer than expected, and Luck missed the remainder of the 2015 season.

No Luck in 2015 meant no postseason for the Colts. No Luck in 2017 will likely mean the same for a team that is limping into Week 9 against the Texans with a 2-6 record. If the NFL Draft were held today, the Colts would be selecting 4th. There are several quarterbacks likely to be taken in the first round, and the Colts should make the most of the opportunity.

Sam Darnold of USC and Josh Rosen of UCLA have had scouts debating all season over who should be taken as the top quarterback.

Darnold has been dynamite for USC. On the season, he has 2,558 yards with a completion rate of 63%. He has 20 touchdowns through the air and 3 on the ground. Rosen is also having a big year for the Bruins with 2,713 yards and 20 touchdowns through 8 games.

Louisville’s Lamar Jackson is an intriguing prospect at the top of draft boards. The 2016 Heisman Award winner is the best dual-threat quarterback since Michael Vick. Jackson has 18 passing touchdowns and 14 rushing touchdowns through the Cardinals’ first 9 games. Jackson’s elite quickness and ability to elude defenders could be just what the doctor ordered behind the shaky Indianapolis offensive line.

At 6’5″ and 240 pounds, Josh Allen is the prototypical size of an NFL quarterback. The Wyoming star has a Carson Wentz-like feel to him. Going into the season, Allen was viewed by many pundits to be the number one overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft.

When healthy, Andrew Luck could be considered a Top 5 quarterback in the league. He has the size, arm strength, accuracy and leadership that you look for in a starting NFL quarterback. But as the old saying goes, “The best ability is availability.” Luck’s availability has been lacking recently and it’s time for Indianapolis to draft his successor.