Offensive line is the position that the Colts must focus on in the draft and possibly even in free agency. We all saw what happened this season when an offensive line isn’t up to snuff: You go through five quarterbacks. That simply cannot happen again and Grigson cannot continue to ignore the most important position on the team, next to the quarterback of course. The offensive line flashed at times, but then took a dive in the crapper as the season went on. It was so bad that even the steady Anthony Castonzo had a bad year. Surprisingly, Joe Reitz was the best offensive lineman the Colts had this season and he is a back-up. He may not be going forward, but that remains to be seen. The Colts really need a right guard and a center and both can be found plentifully in this draft. The right tackle position can be handled by the aforementioned Reitz and even Denzelle Good played well in his two starts at right tackle.
This is Grigson’s most important draft since 2012. In 2012 Grigson could have screwed up and listened to the voices saying, “Take RG3” but he did it right and brought Andrew Luck in instead. In 2012 Grigson hit on four of his picks by landing Luck, Hilton, Allen, and Fleener. Four great offensive weapons that proved to be great assets over the last four seasons. Grigson needs another home run this year from the draft as well as solid free agents that aren’t on the last leg of their career.
Here are the offensive lineman that I like the most and I feel the Colts should target. I will start with the offensive guards and move to the center position. ENJOY!!!
GUARDS
1. Vadal Alexander-G (LSU)
Alexander is a versatile lineman in that he can play both right tackle and guard. Evaluators have said he is more at home at guard though and that is where the Colts need the most help. Alexander is a big, strong individual who plays with a mean streak. He is a great run blocker and his pass protection isn’t bad either. The biggest problem I can see with his pass blocking is he stands up more than he should. That allows the defensive tackle to get under his pads and dictate where he is being driven. He also can give up a little more ground than he should. According to other sources Alexander has an issue with controlling his weight which could be extremely problematic in the NFL. If the Colts were able to get him and paired him with a great nutritionist then that shouldn’t be a problem. I have only seen a few mock drafts that have Alexander going in the first round. Most have him landing in the mid-second round which is right in range of the Colts. Alexander could be a great selection for Indianapolis as it would bring solid youth onto the offensive line and bring that versatility that the team covets so much from their offensive lineman.
2. Cody Whitehair-G (Kansas State)
Whitehair is another lineman that played a lot of tackle but his home will be guard in the NFL. Cody is strong and very athletic. He doesn’t have a problem handling speed rushers or power rushers. He can take on just about any opponent along the offensive line. As with Vadal Alexander, Whitehair can play multiple positions along the offensive line. He played most of his time at left tackle at Kansas State, but he can play guard as well. I read that one CBS Sports Analyst called him the possible next Zack Martin. As you may know, Martin played his college career as the left tackle for Notre Dame and when drafted by the Dallas Cowboys and placed as their starting left guard. He is a two time pro bowl selection two years into his career. Whitehair may have a few things to still work on like staying low and not bending at his waist when blocking. Those are mechanics that he can fix with any coach and practicing them. Whitehair is looking at a late-second to mid-third round grade right now. He could move up a little but I can’t see him moving up more than where he is already.
3. Joshua Garnett-G (Stanford)
I know people are tired of the Colts drafting Stanford guys, but hey, they work out pretty well in Indy. Garnett would be no different. Garnett is a massive man with great skills as an offensive lineman. He uses his hands well and has good quickness to get out in front of runners on screens. He is very powerful all-around, but his lower body is where his power really comes from. Garnett bends his knees well and uses his massive legs to drive defenders back and try to lay them out. He is very good in the running game and has average ability in his pass blocking which is his biggest downfall. One scout called him a coke machine with arms and that isn’t too far from the truth. Garnett is the 2015 Outland Trophy winner and has a ton of potential. Garnett should be available to the Colts in the second round. I don’t think he will slide all the way to them in the third, though stranger things have happened. Inserting this very talented young man into the right guard position wouldn’t immediately solidify the Colts offensive line, but it would go a long way into helping that become a reality in the near future.
4. Jordan Walsh-G (Iowa)
Jordan Walsh is a good sized guard who is very quick to his point of attack. He has a quick first step and bends at his knees and not his waist. He is very good at using his hands to keep the defenders off his body and always looks to engage any defender in his path. He is decent at both run and pass blocking, but there is room for improvement. He has good feet, yet sometimes gets them crossed up and he will go down. Walsh would be a project player, much like Denzelle Good is, and could possibly contribute his rookie year if needed. If given a year or two to get acclimated with the pro game and get a little stronger he could be a solid option for the Colts at guard. He should be available in the fifth round, but he won’t be available for them any time after that.
CENTERS
1. Ryan Kelly-C (Alabama)
I know Colts fans are against Alabama players, but Ryan Kelly isn’t just a player. He is a true leader and an amazing talent that can anchor an offensive line for 10-15 years as a pro. Kelly is the best center in the draft and the best center in college football, hence his winning of the Rimington Award. Kelly is strong and quick and just a great all-around athlete. He excels at run and pass blocking and hasn’t allowed a sack in two years while anchoring the National Champions. That’s an amazing feat considering the level of defensive talent he has faced in the SEC. Kelly is a second round pick for sure, but could slip into the back half of the first round if a team really needs a center of the future. If Kelly is available to the Colts in the second round he is a must pick. He, unlike Joshua Garnett, would solidify the Colts offensive line. He doesn’t allow unnecessary pressure up the middle and wouldn’t allow the other two interior lineman to let pressure get to Luck.
2. Nick Martin-C (Notre Dame)
Nick Martin, brother of All-Pro guard Zack Martin, is very talented as a center as well. He is a solid leader and, like Kelly, can be an anchor for a NFL offensive line for years to come. Martin is smart in how he approaches his craft and works very hard at it. He excels at run and pass blocking and was able to call out all the line protections while starting at Notre Dame. Obviously, has the work ethic to become even better and will work at everything to ensure he is at his best. There isn’t a whole lot he needs to work on and would be an immediate starter in Indy. He is from Indy as well so it would be nice to have a hometown boy playing for the team he undoubtedly cheered for growing up. Martin should be available in the second round for the Colts to select. If they can’t land Kelly they won’t be sorry for snagging Martin up to be the anchor for their line.
3. Jack Allen-C (Michigan State)
Allen was an All-American his junior season and was a four year starter for the Spartans. He is the typical center and holds his ground well against defensive lineman. He can get too high on his blocks which allows the defenders to take him where they want him. He doesn’t allow a ton of pressure though. He knows how to recover decently when he has made one of those few and far between protection mistakes. He isn’t as talented as Martin or Kelly, but would push Holmes or Harrison for the starting spot in training camp. I see him more as a guy who would need a season to get right with the NFL game and I do think with good coaching he could be a solid guy in the middle of the Colts line. He has some bad habits to unlearn so hopefully Philbin could help eliminate those.
4. Austin Blythe-C (Iowa)
Blythe is my dark horse player among the offensive lineman in this draft. He is a great leader and is very versatile. He can play all three interior positions and plays all three well. He is best at center, but can do just fine as a guard. He knows how to use his body well and is very powerful for his size. His size though is the big knock on him. Standing at 6’2 he lacks ideal size for an NFL center. With being shorter he doesn’t have ideal arm length either so if a defender with a longer reach can get their hands on him they may be able to move him without much effort. However, the key there is “if they can” because Blythe plays like a firecracker and use his hands well to keep defenders away from him. He reminds me a lot of Jeff Saturday because of his size, but his football intelligence is amazing as well. I think Blythe is going to surprise people and his fifth round status right now will go up. He should be available to the Colts in the fourth round, but I can’t see him lasting much past that.
These are just a few of the possible lineman the Colts select this April. This is the biggest area of need and has been since Luck got to town. I have heard that people think that cornerback is more important and that inside or outside linebackers are more important. Try telling that to the five quarterbacks the Colts used this past season. Go back and watch the games and then come back and say that offensive line isn’t the number one priority. Even if they land one solid lineman for the middle that is a win in my book. If it were me I would look at center before guard. Thornton showed he can play well in flashes, but I think his issue is that when they start playing bad he lets that get to him. If he can right that part of his mentality he could be a very good guard. Mewhort has a bad sophomore season, but I can’t see that getting to him. I can see that motivating him to get better. I know right tackle is up in the air as well, but I do feel that Joe Reitz can handle the position as a starter. He played well against the best defensive lineman in the game in JJ Watt and I think he handled himself pretty well. No matter what happens this offseason if the Colts don’t draft offensive lineman to add depth and find a starting center or right guard then this coming season will be an utter failure.
