For many teams, a 10-6 season and division title would be a success. Not in Indianapolis. The Colts were coming off of an AFC Conference title, and a streak of seven straight seasons with 12 or more victories. But injuries caught up with the Colts, and even Peyton Manning couldn't get them past the Jets in the playoffs.
The Colts went into the draft looking to protect it's most valuable asset, and Manning now has two young lineman to protect him. Anthony Castonzo was perhaps the most pro ready tackle entering the draft, and Benjamin Ijalana is a mauler who will line up at guard. The two lineman give the Colts an infusion of youth, and should keep Manning upright and able to pick apart defenses for a long time.
The interior of the defensive line got help with the selection of Drake Nevis in the third round out of LSU. Nevis is an explosive penetrator who can get into the backfield, and with Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis on the outside, he gives the opponents offense another weapon to worry about on both runs and passes.
A late round sleeper looks to be Delone Carter, a running back out of Syracuse. Carter is a power back who should flourish running behind his fellow rookies up front, and the Colts running game has been a revolving door leading to the injured list with Joseph Addai, Donald Brown and Mike Hart. Carter could get his chance sooner rather than later.
Draft Grade: B+
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