Andrew Luck: Prospects Colts Must Draft to Rescue QB from Imminent Peril

Andrew Luck's the ideal cornerstone to the Indianapolis Colts' franchise overhaul, but if the team doesn't draft these players, he may never reach his full potential. 

No, the Colts don't have to dedicate their 2012 draft to wide receivers and running backs. They need to grab a healthy assortment of offensive and defensive players to aid the team's overall balance. 

Let's get to it. 

Indianapolis has the second pick in Round 2, and they must find Luck a reliable pass-catching target. If his collegiate teammate Coby Fleener somehow makes it out of the first round, he's got to be pick.

If not, the best available wide receiver must be selected, but only if he's one of the top six wideouts on their board. 

We saw how well Cam Newton did with Steve Smith and two go-to tight-end targets in Greg Olsen and Jeremy Shockey last season. Andy Dalton comfortably turned to A.J. Green in precarious situations and was successful—Luck needs his A.J. Green.

A supremely talented offensive weapon that can get open with some consistency is a must. I'd love Illinois product A.J. Jenkins in a Colts uniform. 

Following that pick, the Colts go back on the clock with the first choice in the third round.

They have two fifth-rounders and three seventh-rounders. While I'd advocate them drafting as many prospects as possible, if a premier defensive tackle falls to the middle or end of the second round, parting ways with one of those later selections wouldn't be a horrible idea. 

If not, that third-round pick must be used on the best bulky nose tackle to plug into the middle of Chuck Pagano's 3-4 defense. He desperately needs his Haloti Ngata.  

Michigan State's Jerel Worthy, Washington's Alameda Ta'amu or Alabama's Josh Chapman would be very logical. 

Having a more respectable defense would keep Luck out of situations in which he feels the need to force the issue to score a ridiculous amount of points. 

Lastly, in the middle rounds, a capable running back and an interior offensive line prospect must be uncovered. 

Peyton Manning was cerebrally connected to Jeff Saturday, but now the Pro Bowl center is a Green Bay Packer.

Georgia's Ben Jones, Ohio State's Mike Brewster or Michigan's David Molk are all heady anchors that would significantly benefit Luck during his maturation process.

As for a running back, Utah State's Robert Turbin runs a bit high, but has a little Marshawn Lynch to him. A true sleeper.

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