3 Players the Colts Need To Draft In 2012
Andrew Luck: The obvious number one pick. The Colts have also put themselves into a perfect position to get him by remaining winless going into week 12. Luck is not only the best QB in the draft; he's the flat out best player; maybe since Manning. Though drafting Luck means an inevitable QB controversy, it can be avoided by trading Manning. I know that people will say it's 'heartless' to trade the face of the franchise and maybe even the face of the NFL after he built the dynasty of Indianapolis, but we've seen it happen in San Francisco and even Philadelphia, though Philly is a little different. Joe Montana was in his mid-thirties when the Chiefs traded for him and the 49ers had Steve Young for the next Decade to lead the '9ers to the Superbowl and numerous playoff appearances. My point is at some point Manning is going to be gone and the Colts would be foolish for trading the wrong QB (Luck) who's 12 years younger and healthier.
Doug Martin: It still amazes me when I see Manning's statistics the last 5 years and he had NO running game behind him. His play action passes were deadly for opposing secondaries and they didn't even run the ball! Imagine how good Andrew Luck would be if he had a stud running back to take some pressure off of him. Joseph Addai was resigned for his blocking skills, not his running. Delone Carter was drafted to improve the short yardage and goal line duties; that hasn't worked, and Donald Brown is simply not a starting running back in the NFL. Step in Doug Martin. Martin is smaller than all three of the present backs in Indy, but he makes up for his stature by absolutely bruising Linebackers and Safeties. Martin stands 'tall' at 5'9, 215. Eerily similar to the Colts' nemesis from Jacksonville, Maurice Jones-Drew. They say 'if you can't beat 'em, join 'em'. The Colts would be wise to draft Martin. Martin has good vision, nice hands, and an absolute uncanny ability to accelerate through the hole and reach the second and third level consistently. He's a human dynamo that obliterates opposing secondaries and provides good check-down options. The Colts would be wise to draft this kid in the second round.
Matt Reynolds: Reynolds is 6'6, 325. I don't care what people say about this kid's footwork, when a prospect is that big you need to take him. He's ideally a third round pick and ideally a steal for Indianapolis. Reynolds is known for his pass protection skills, but has the physical tools to be able to be great at both pass protection and run-blocking. He would help seal up the line at Right Tackle and be a nice compliment to Anthony Castonzo on the left side. With this pick you could ideally fix 2 line positions, by securing Reynolds at RT and moving Ben Ijilana to Right Guard. Andrew Luck would have a somewhat decent pocket and there will be plenty of free agents to help plug the Left Guard position. The Colts would be unwise to let a guy like Matt Reynolds go by.