Draft Weekend 2018: Indianapolis Colts Preview

INDIANAPOLIS, IN — The Indianapolis Colts enter the 2018 NFL Draft with high energy. It will be the first draft for new Head Coach Frank Reich and his staff as well as the second for General Manager Chris Ballard, who many believe did not so bad in year one.

Weeks before the draft, the Colts were already making moves when they traded their No. 3 overall pick to the New York Jets in exchange for the No. 6 overall pick this year and two second rounders. Talk is that the Colts may try to move down again and add even more picks in a draft order already stocked with horseshoe helmets.

But that's part of the lure of draft day, and we won't know for sure until then.

If the Colts do stay at six, they will likely have to settle for whoever of the following drops that far.

• Saquan Barkley, a runningback from Penn State
• Quenton Nelson, an offensive lineman from Notre Dame
• Bradley Chubb, a defensive end from North Carolina State

The hope is that, of course, multiple teams ahead of the Colts will pick a quarterback. If that happens, the Colts could wind up with one of the top position players in the draft. Surrounding Quarterback Andrew Luck with good players throughout this draft is a possibility that can't be passed up.

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The team has nine draft picks this year, including three in the second round. So if the Ballard-Reich rebuilding process turns out to be a winner in a few short years, the 2018 draft could be a key series of days in that process.

Here are the three positions the Colts need to focus on improving the most.

1. Offensive Line: Luck is said to be on track to come back in 2018 after missing the entire 2017 season due to shoulder surgery. Making sure he never, ever gets hurt again should be the Colts top priority, and a focus on the o-line in the draft and through free agency should help keep him upright throughout the season.

2. Running Back: Veteran back Frank Gore is gone after three solid seasons with the Colts, who before him struggled at putting out a decent runner for years. Good running backs often come out of the 2nd-5th rounds of the draft, so don't be surprised to see Ballard pick the one he really likes during that part of the draft.

3. Defensive Line: The Colts have been outplayed at the line for quite a few years now. With Malik Hooker hopefully anchoring the secondary for a few years, the team needs a star up front.
Here's where the Colts will pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. See the entire draft order here via NFL.com

Round 1:
6. (from Jets)

Round 2:
4 (36)
5 (37). (from Jets)
17 (49). (from Jets through Seahawks)

Round 3:
3 (67)

Round 4:
4 (104)

Round 5:
3 (140)

Round 6:
4 (178)

Round 7:
3 (221)

Recent 1st Round History:
2017 - Malik Hooker, S, Ohio State
2016 - Ryan Kelly, C, Alabama
2015 - Phillip Dorsett, WR, Miami (FL)

All-Time 1st Round Bests (Indianapolis Era):
1987 - Cornelius Bennett
1989 - Andre Rison
1994 - Marshall Faulk
1996 - Marvin Harrison
1997 - Tarik Glenn
1998 - Peyton Manning
1999 - Edgerrin James
2001 - Reggie Wayne
2002 - Dwight Freeney
2003 - Dallas Clark
2005 - Marlin Jackson
2006 - Joseph Addai
2012 - Andrew Luck

Follow Along

The draft will take place over three days (Thursday, April 26-Saturday, April 28) at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

Photo via Patch archive / Tim Moran