2011 NFL Draft Grades: All 32 1st Round Picks, Colts Take Anthony Castonzo

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2011 NFL Draft Grades See Colts Take Second-Best Offensive Tackle in Draft

The Indianapolis Colts needed to protect franchise quarterback Peyton Manning after 2010, it was that simple.

Manning went through a stretch in 2010 that included 13 interceptions in five games, highly uncharacteristic of the future Hall of Famer.

That was largely because he had to hurry throws because the pocket closed in on him.

Enter Boston College offensive tackle Anthony Castonzo, the second-best offensive lineman in the draft in my opinion.

The Colts had to be thrilled to see his name up on the board at No. 22, given his consistency and prime focus on warding away pass rushers. Castonzo could use a little help run-blocking, but not much, and it would have been a bad decision to let him slide.

GRADE: A

The Colts could have drafted Temple defensive tackle Muhammad Wilkerson here, given his potential and their constant struggles to stop the run.

But letting Castonzo get away would have probably actually been taken personally by Manning, who obviously became frustrated with his protection in 2010. You have a guy of Manning's caliber, you protect him at all costs, and this was basically a no-brainer.

There are times when you think out of the box in the draft. This was not one of those times. Having the second-best offensive lineman in the draft slide to the Colts was like coming out of a fog and seeing, well, Anthony Castonzo just hanging out at the other end in the sun, waiting to greet you with a barbecue.

Good simile? No?

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