Besides Andrew, Where the Colts Should Test Their Luck in the 2012 NFL Draft

By (Correspondent) on February 14, 2012

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Andrew Luck
Andrew Luck

The Indianapolis Colts are almost guaranteed to select Andrew Luck in the 2012 NFL Draft. So let's step back for a minute and consider the bigger picture.

Coming off a 2-14 season, the Colts need help across the board. While the quarterback debate hogs all of the attention, there are several NCAA players that can help Indianapolis.

Assuming that Indy picks Luck with the first overall pick, these 10 men (arranged in no particular order) should be considered to help restore their franchise in the middle to late rounds.

Stephon Gilmore

Stephon Gilmore
Stephon Gilmore

The 6'1", 193-pound cornerback out of South Carolina is giving up his last year of NCAA eligibility to join the ranks of an NFL team. He had the advantage of playing in the SEC, perhaps the greatest football conference in all of college football. A physical, hard hitting cornerback, Gilmore will punish quarterbacks if a bad pass is thrown. He can be the cornerback that Indianapolis has lacked for years and can immediately improve their pass defense.

Ben Jones

Ben Jones
Ben Jones

Let's face it, Jeff Saturday's days as an Indianapolis Colt are numbered.

Even if he plays this season, the team will need a center for years to come. Ben Jones is a top center coming out of Georgia as a four-year starter. He has a solid frame at 6'3", 304 pounds and can do a decent job replicating Saturday in Indianapolis.

Michael Egnew

Michael Egnew
Michael Egnew

The tight end out of Missouri is an ideal red-zone threat at 6'5" and 251 pounds. He wins most of the jump balls he battles for and can bring down a very high pass that is tough to defend. In addition, Egnew can block and get downfield to make plays.

Having another playmaker in the mix is only going to help the Indianapolis Colts in 2012.

Derek Wolfe

Derek Wolfe
Derek Wolfe

The defensive tackle out of Cincinnati would be a project but has potential to be a run-stopper. He is listed at 6'5" and under 300 pounds heading into the draft. If he can bulk up and continue to develop, he has the frame to be a key member of the defensive line for many years in Indianapolis.

Harrison Smith

Harrison Smith
Harrison Smith

The safety out of Notre Dame has the potential to make an immediate impact on the Colts. He is 6'2" and weighs just under 220 pounds. A sure tackler with steady hands, Smith doesn't give up many big plays.

He could be the healthier version of Bob Sanders if he can adjust to the NFL game.

Keenan Robinson

Keenan Robinson
Keenan Robinson

The days of the Cover-2 defense are over in Indianapolis.

While he is no Ray Lewis, Keenan Robinson is the big body that Chuck Pagano relied on in Baltimore. The 6'3", 240-pound linebacker out of Texas would complement Pat Angerer in Indianapolis, and those two big linebackers would make rushing that much harder for Maurice Jones-Drew, Arian Foster and Chris Johnson. 

Case Keenum

Case Keenum
Case Keenum

As the Indianapolis Colts showed in 2011, a team can never have enough depth at quarterback. Case Keenum set numerous NCAA passing records at the University of Houston. He is 6'1" and about 200 pounds. While Andrew Luck will obviously be the starting quarterback if drafted, Keenum is more than capable of stepping up and playing well if Luck ever goes down.

Tony Bergstrom

Tony Bergstron
Tony Bergstron

What good is a high-profile quarterback if all he does is get sacked?

The Colts are hurting on the offensive line and Tony Bergstrom has potential to help improve the Indianapolis Colts. Out of Utah, Bergstrom has good size and athleticism at 6'6" and 315 pounds.

The Colts can use some more big men, and Bergstrom will be available for them in a reasonable round.

Jeff Fuller

Jeff Fuller
Jeff Fuller

Indianapolis has already developed wide receivers in the slot. Assuming that Reggie Wayne and/or Pierre Garcon leave, a downfield threat will be needed.

Jeff Fuller, out of Texas A&M, provides height, speed and athleticism. He is listed at 6'4" and under 220 pounds. He is a big-play receiver and is hard to defend in one-on-one situations.

Keith Tandy

Keith Tandy
Keith Tandy

The cornerback out of West Virginia can help the Colts improve against the pass. Keith Tandy is sure-handed and has the speed to line up against the opposing team's starting receiver.

While he needs work, most rookies cannot simply transition into the NFL without any difficulties. If he can work hard and improve, he can reward Indianapolis with consistent and smart football.

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