2011 NFL Mock Draft Has Three of Four Experts Agree on Offensive Lineman for Indianapolis Colts
If we have talked about the Colts' weaknesses once, we have talked about it 1,000 times.
Running the football, stopping the run and protecting Peyton Manning are the biggest needs for this football team.
While they were devastated by injuries last season and almost missed the playoffs, one thing is for certain, they need some protection on their offensive line.
This draft has a lot of value at the position early on, but not a ton of elite prospects, Indianapolis is on the fringe of missing the best prospects.
Mel Kiper Jr.: Anthony Castonzo
One more that stays the same from previous mocks, I just really like the fit. The Colts have to improve on the offensive line and even while Peyton Manning is a maestro working out of the shotgun, they need to be able to do more both in the run game and in pass protection. Castonzo is a smart, versatile tackle who has been consistently rated as a first-round tackle option. Indy has brought in some quarterbacks to work out, but Castonzo is more of an immediate help.
Rob Rang: Nate Solder
GM Bill Polian suggested after the season that he might have made a mistake in not drafting Indiana offensive tackle Rodger Saffold with the 31st overall pick last year. Saffold went on to star with the Rams. Don't expect the Colts to pass up a similarly gifted blocker this year. Solder is not the physical masher some would prefer, but has the agility and reach to protect the blind side. The former tight end has a rare combination of size (6-8, 319) and athleticism and could eventually prove to be the top tackle in this year's draft class.
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Pat Kirwan: Corey Liuget
The Colts could take LT Nate Solder here and it would be a solid pick. Liuget has been rising up draft boards for a month and the Colts know they have to firm up the defense. He is a one-gap penetrator who is disruptive against the run and pass.
Jeff Risdon: Derek Sherrod
When Bill Polian comes out and says the OL needs to get better, it's going to be addressed early and perhaps often.
My Pick: Nate Solder
The Indianapolis Colts best bet is to go after an offensive lineman here because the value is quickly dropping around them.
If Castonzo is available, as in Kiper's scenario, he is easily the best available lineman of the bunch, but he is gone in my scenario.
Liuget is a great defensive tackle for the Colts' scheme, but I think offensive tackle is more important.
Solder is not ready to be a blindside tackle right away, but he is one of the few with the potential to one day be exactly that.
If he can develop, he'll be the blindside protector possibly for the remainder of Peyton's career.
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