Forecasting Andrew Luck, Indianapolis Colts' Offense Next Season

After selecting quarterback Andrew Luck with the first overall pick in the 2012 NFL draft, the Indianapolis Colts ensured he would not go into his first season without some help on offense. The Colts used all but two of their selections on offensive players, which is sure to delight Luck and actually sets him up with an offense that has exciting potential for the 2012-13 season and beyond.

Before analyzing the offense that Luck will inherit this season, here is a look at what the Colts had to work with before this weekend's NFL draft:

• QB: Drew Stanton, Trevor Vittatoe
• RB: Donald Brown, Delone Carter
• WR: Reggie Wayne, Austin Collie, Donnie Avery
• TE: Brody Eldridge
• OT: Anthony Castonzo, Ben Ijalana, Winston Justice, Mike McGlynn
• OG: Seth Olsen, Matt Murphy
• C: Samson Setele

With that offense, Luck would have hardly any weapons to utilize. Wayne can still be an effective wide receiver and red-zone target, but he is past his prime and is no longer a downfield threat. Fellow wide receivers Collie and Avery are effective slot receivers, but both have faced health concerns during the past few seasons and neither of them is a true No. 2 wide receiver.

The most glaring position is tight end, where the only healthy player on the roster is Eldridge, who is an effective blocker but is not known for his receiving skills. Luck prefers to run a two-tight end offense, so running this team would be a complete change and would set up Luck for failure.

Who are the healthy downfield threats? Who would be his check-down player when nobody was open downfield? Which player could Luck throw to when evading pressure? All in all, this team has a few nice pieces but is not a complete offense and would not give Luck much of a chance to succeed.

However, Indianapolis addressed some of these concerns in the draft. Take a look at its new offense with the infusion of incoming rookies:

• QB: Andrew Luck, Drew Stanton, Chandler Harnish
• RB: Donald Brown, Vick Ballard, Delone Carter
• WR: Reggie Wayne, Austin Collie, T.Y. Hilton, Donnie Avery, LaVon Brazill
• TE: Coby Fleener, Dwayne Allen, Brody Eldridge
• OT: Anthony Castonzo, Ben Ijalana, Winston Justice, Mike McGlynn, Justin Anderson
• OG: Seth Olsen, Matt Murphy
• C: Samson Satele

This offense is much improved and actually has the potential to score some points. Granted, no one expects this roster to be a world-beater—yet. However, this is a very positive step in the right direction for Luck and the Colts for a few important reasons:

1. Two-tight end offense

Andrew Luck ran a two-tight end offense at Stanford and was obviously very successful running that style of offense. This meshes well with the Colts' offensive coordinator, Bruce Arians, who prefers to utilize two-tight end sets in his offensive system.

By using a formation that calls for two tight ends, the quarterback is given a lot of options and flexibility. For example, the two-tight end formation allows the offense to run and to pass out of, as it is set up for both. Therefore, it will be easier for Luck to make adjustments at the line. If he chooses to audible out of a pass and into a run, the formation can stay the same and fool the defense, or vice versa.

For running the football, using two tight ends gives the offense more blockers on both sides of the line. Also, play action works well because the tight ends can block initially, then flare out as receivers and serve as targets for the quarterback. 

In passing situations, using two talented tight ends such as Coby Fleener and Dwayne Allen really gives the offense a lot of options. Tight ends are mismatches for most defenders, as they are quicker than most linebackers and taller than corners. This is especially true of Fleener, who runs a 4.5 40-yard dash and is 6'6". Therefore, tight ends are perfect targets in the middle of a zone and also for intermediate passing plays.

Also, tight ends are a great safety valve for quarterbacks when they are under pressure. If Luck has a blitzer running at him, he can dump the ball off to a tight end and avoid a sack. In passing plays in which the wide receivers are covered down field and the defensive line breaks free, Luck can check down to his tight ends options—both of them—and can get out of the broken play with some positive yardage.

Either way, the two-tight end set will make Andrew Luck's life much easier as a quarterback entering the NFL. He has familiarity running the system, and he will also enjoy working with an offensive coordinator who is also very familiar in running this type of offense.

2. Stretching the field

 With the selections of T.Y. Hilton, LaVon Brazill and Fleener, Indianapolis gave Andrew Luck a plethora of quick wide receivers who can stretch the field and create spacing for open targets. We know about Fleener's quickness, but Hilton blows him and nearly every other wide receiver away.

At his pro day and the combine, Hilton ran a 4.37 40-yard dash, establishing himself as one of the fastest players in the draft. His on-the-field production proves he plays with that speed on every play, as evidenced by this kickoff return and his incredible highlights versus the Louisville Cardinals last season. 

As for Brazill, he is not quite as fast as Hilton but still gives the Colts another vertical threat. He ran a 4.47 40-yard dash at the NFL combine, and he backed up this time with some long touchdown catches during the past season at Ohio.

In addition to the clock-burning speed of Donnie Avery, Indianapolis now has a variety of receivers who can stretch the field with their speed and give Andrew Luck some downfield threats for big gains. 

3) Luck has options all over the field

Simply put, adding these offensive players in the draft gives Luck a lot of options at the line of scrimmage. Instead of having to rely on an older Reggie Wayne and praying his few other receivers stay healthy, Luck now has players with unique skill sets who can help him in the short, intermediate and long passing game.

Andrew Luck thrived in Stanford's West Coast offense, which places an emphasis on short and intermediate throws. This is a successful system for any quarterback because passes are shorter and quicker, which improves accuracy and neutralizes the blitz. 

His offense in Indianapolis should closely resemble that same system, while also providing Luck with more options at wide receiver and down the field. His tight ends will give Luck the option to check down and make the short and safe throw, while Fleener also provides Luck with a deep threat who can take the defense off guard.

Reggie Wayne will be "Mr. Reliable" and should serve as the every-down, possession wide receiver who will come up with the big catch and keep the chains moving. Austin Collie and Donnie Avery will share the outside and slot positions and can stretch the field and also open it up with deep slants that will attack the zones. 

The wild card is T.Y. Hilton. He has the potential to be a game-breaker and has a similar build and skill set to Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeSean Jackson. Any player that can catch the ball and outrun the rest of the defense is a serious threat to the opposing defense. If Hilton can break the starting lineup and serve as the Colts' primary slot wide receiver, he gives them a downfield option that most other teams do not have. 

As you can see, the Indianapolis Colts did well in the NFL draft and have put Andrew Luck in a position to succeed. While this offense will not lead the league this season, there are building blocks in place that should allow Luck to develop into the player we all believe he will become.

By placing an emphasis on offensive weapons for Luck, the Indianapolis Colts should have an exciting offense in their first season of the Luck era.