The Colts must really be lucky to win the No.1 pick in the draft twice when a generational talent was available for them. Peyton Manning, arguably the best quarterback in NFL history, was forced to miss the entire season last year. Because of this, the team wound up with a pathetic 2-14 record and was unable to get a win until Week 15. The team's bad record led it to the No. 1 pick, however, and the opportunity to choose a quarterback that would be its franchise player for the next decade. Of course, the Colts had to make a decision on the future of Peyton Manning with the franchise, and now that he has signed on with the Denver Broncos, the team is set on picking Andrew Luck come draft time. Here are the Colts' big additions and subtractions so far in this young offseason, plus a look at their top five needs heading into the draft.
Additions:
Nfl 2012
OT Winston Justice
DE/DT Cory Redding
SS Tom Zbikowski
C Samson Satele
QB Drew Stanton
NT Brandon McKinney
Subtractions:
QB Peyton Manning
WR Pierre Garcon
TE Dallas Clark
RB Joseph Addai
C Jeff Saturday
CB Jacob Lacey
C/G Mike Pollak
TE Jacob Tamme
ILB Gary Brackett
OLB Philip Wheeler
S Melvin Bullitt
QB Dan Orlovsky
WR Anthony Gonzalez
G Ryan Diem
Top 5 Needs:
1. Quarterback
Now that Peyton Manning is no longer with the team, it is quite obvious that the Colts need to replace him this offseason. Some might feel that Robert Griffin III is worthy of the top pick, but there is just no way that the Colts pass up on the opportunity to draft the top-rated college quarterback in the last 25 years. Andrew Luck is as close as you can get to the real deal, but it also wouldn't hurt to add another backup. Dan Orlovsky proved his worth but he, too, moved on and signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Drew Stanton was acquired in a trade with the New York Jets, but it seems as though he is not the answer as the No. 2 quarterback in Indianapolis.
2. Offensive Guard
The Colts have found themselves suddenly without their two starting guards from last season. Mike Pollak decided to sign elsewhere and Ryan Diem retired. Indianapolis was able to trade for offensive tackle Winston Justice, which allows them to move Ben Ijalana into one of the vacated spots. But it would really help matters if the Colts were able to re-sign Jamey Richard. Until that happens, though, this remains one of the team's biggest priorities in the draft.
3. Corner
The Colts featured one of the worst secondaries in all of football last season, and this remains their biggest need on the defensive side of the ball. Now that Jacob Lacey has moved on and signed with the Detroit Lions, the Colts are stuck with Chris Rucker, Kevin Thomas and Brandon King as their top three corners heading into 2012. But that simply is not enough. They need to add at least two players capable of challenging for a starting spot, whether it is through the draft or via free agency.
4. Tight End
Indianapolis cut Dallas Clark and saw Jacob Tamme follow Manning to Denver. The Colts could still go back and re-sign Clark to a new deal, but as of now that seems to be a stretch. The Colts must find someone whom Luck can rely on across the middle of the field, especially in red zone situations. The team's clear priority is to draft a tight end after drafting Andrew Luck with its first pick. Coby Fleener, Luck's teammate at Stanford, could be available for them with the first pick in the second round.
5. Wide Receiver
Right after Manning left for the Broncos, it seemed as though Reggie Wayne would follow him as well. But he decided to come back to Indianapolis and try to help this team get back on track. Pierre Garcon and Anthony Gonzalez, though, thought otherwise, as they left the team in search of greener pastures. Indianapolis now needs to bring in some new weapons for Luck coming into the 2012 season.
2012 Indianapolis Colts Offseason Needs
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