NFL Draft 2011: The Indianapolis Colts' 7-Round Mock Draft

Round by round insight into the Indianapolis Colts' draft needs.

After a succession of poor drafts, the Colts need to draft well in order to surround their star quarterback with enough talent to return Indianapolis to the super bowl for the 3rd time in 7 years. With questions plaguing the once infallible Bill Polian's recent draft record, look for the Colts to change the direction of their draft methodology. The most pressing need? Offensive line.

After going 13 years without selecting an offensive line in the first round, Bill Polian and the Colts may finally break tradition with the first pick in order to prolong the career of Peyton Manning.

Indianapolis Colts Draft Needs

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NASHVILLE, TN - DECEMBER 09: Peyton Manning #18 of the Indianapolis Colts gives instructions to his team during the NFL game against the Tennessee Titans at LP Field on December 9, 2010 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

The consensus for the upcoming draft is that Colts need to select an offensive lineman. After avoiding the position in the first round for the past 13 years, the Colts can't wait any longer.

With 2 undrafted lineman, and a 6th and a 7h round selection all starting, the Colts simply cannot afford to ignore what is by far and away their most pressing need.

Besides protecting Manning, the Colts have a host of other concerns that will require attention. Namely, how to go about replacing defensive player of the year Bob Sanders?

Another position in high demand for the Colts is defensive line. After using several picks in recent years on the solidifying the line, the Colts still continue to struggle against the run.

Finally, with key offensive skill positions filled and locked up, don't be surprised if the Colts use a later round pick on a speedster return specialist to improve what has been a historically poor special teams unit and bolster the Colts' below average starting field position.

There are many ways the draft could unfold for the Colts, but after watching Peyton get pushed around last year, it seems a safe bet that it will start with an offensive lineman.

1rst Pick Boston College's OT Anthony Castonzo

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CHESTNUT HILL, MA - OCTOBER 03: Anthony Castonzo #74 of the Boston College Eagles congratulates teammate Montel Harris #2 after Harris scored a touchdown in the first quarter against the Florida State Seminoles on October 3, 2009 at Alumni Stadium in Che

The 2010 Campbell trophy finalist is perhaps the most athletic 300 lb. offensive lineman in the draft. More importantly, Castonzo is considered an excellent pass blocker, which should be music to Peyton's ears.

At 6'7 and only 305 pounds, some scouts worry Castonzo might be a little light to really hold his ground at the next level. In reality, the BC left tackle has a big frame and should be easily able to add a few pounds and still maintain his incredible athleticism. Already able to manhandle most college DE's while possessing the rare quickness to cover linebackers and blitzing corners, Castonzo should provide an immediate boost to both the pass protection and run blocking.

A definite first round talent, the Colts manage to grab the second best lineman in the draft.

2nd Pick: Oregon State's Stephen Paea

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TUCSON, AZ - OCTOBER 09: Defensive tackle Stephen Paea #54 of the Oregon State Beavers during the college football game against the Arizona Wildcats at Arizona Stadium on October 9, 2010 in Tucson, Arizona. The Beavers defeated the Wildcats 29-27. (Pho

Who could be a better fit for a team that has been labeled 'soft' than a guy who posted the best lift weighting stats since 1999 by recording 49 reps at 225 pounds at the combine. 

In a dream scenario, the Colts shore up the offensive line with Anthony Castonzo in the first round and still get there man out of Oregon State who they desperately covet in the second.

Stephen Paea is the perfect type of player to anchor a unit that allowed a woeful 127 yards against the run last season. Neither tall nor particularly heavy, Paea makes his presence felt by using his stout and powerful frame to drive opponents backwards. For a team that applies heavy pressure from Mathis and Freeney on the ends, the addition of Paea is the missing piece that would form a dangerous 3 pronged assault on opposing quarterbacks, leaving them with nowhere to go.

More importantly, Paea is difficult to dislodge from the line of scrimmage and holds his ground effectively at the point of attack. Paired with current Colts' DT, Fili Moala, the two would make a strong duo that would be difficult to run against.

Used to giving up huge numbers on the ground, that is something that certainly excites Colts' fans.

3rd Pick: Florida State's Rodney Hudson

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TALLAHASSEE, FL - NOVEMBER 27: Rodney Hudson #62 of the Florida State Seminoles celebrates a touchdown during a game against the Florida Gators at Doak Campbell Stadium on November 27, 2010 in Tallahassee, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

It never hurts to increase the protection around the player who is soon to be the wealthiest in the NFL. That is the theory behind this pick. With offensive line still an issue, the Colts use their 3rd round pick to select Rodney Hudson out of Florida State.

After a down year, the selection of Hudson allows the Colts to be more flexible with Ryan Diem. It also adds valuable depth to a unit that barely withstood a rash of injuries last season.

Hudson is another good fit along the offensive line as his solid combination of both strengthen and athletic ability allows him to get off the ball quickly and engage blockers at the second level. Such abilities should help open holes down the field for a Colts' running back unit that is not used to seeing much daylight.

4th Pick: USC's Shareece Wright

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PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 01: Shareece Wright #24 of the USC Trojans is call for pass interference of Jeff Cumberland #17 of the Illinois Fighting Illini during the first half of the 'Rose Bowl presented by Citi' at the Rose Bowl on January 1, 2008 in Pasad

With the availability of fellow USC trojan Kevin Thomas still unknown after he sustained a serious injury in training camp last fall, the Colts would be well served to draft another defensive back as an insurance pick.

Devastated by a rash of injuries that kept key players out for weeks at a time, the Colts' relied on mid season waiver wire pickups to play significant minutes. And while players such as Justin Tyron preformed admirably in fill-in duty, it is clear that depth is a critical need for the Colts this season.

At 5-11 and 185, Wright has both decent size and good speed. Many scouts were impressed by his ability to stay with faster receivers throughout senior bowl week. The performance which elevated his draft stock, should be enough to convince the Colts he is worthy of a shot. With Thomas tentatively projected to return, the Colts could wind up with 2 USC Trojans in the backfield.

5th Pick: Ohio State's Jermale Hines

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COLUMBUS, OH - OCTOBER 9: Jermale Hines #7 of the Ohio State Buckeyes pursues the ballcarrier to make a tackle against the Indiana Hoosiers at Ohio Stadium on October 9, 2010 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)

With the departure of Bob 'the eraser' Sanders, the Colts have a large void to fill. While Melvin Bullit will likely get the starting nod, the 6'1 219 pound Hines is an ideal backup who could come in and immediately start if need be as well as contribute right away on special teams. A first team all Big Ten selection, Hines has the physical tools to be a solid starter in the NFL. A Jim Thorpe award candidate, the Ohio State free safety finished the year 4th on the team with 57 tackles and would be an excellent later round selection for a Colts' team looking for depth at the position.

6th Pick: Vacated Because of Justin Tyron Trade

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN - JANUARY 08: Justin Tryon #20 of the Indianapolis Colts returns an interception for positive yards on a pass intended late in the second quarter against the New York Jets during their 2011 AFC wild card playoff game at Lucas Oil Stadium

7th Round Pick: Fort Valley State's Ricardo Lockette

If Anthony Gonzalez is re-signed and both Dallas Clark (highly likely) and Austin Collie (less likely) return to form after season ending injuries, the Colts' will have one of the deepest receiving corps the NFL has seen in years.

Unfortunately for Indianapolis, that is a lot of ifs.

Therefore, the Colts will probably use their last pick in the draft to take a flier on a raw big-play receiver. The Colts however won't just be looking for a backup receiver. The pick will specifically target someone with blazing speed who can also double as a punt and kickoff return specialist to improve the Colts' dreadful starting field position.  No one is better suited for such a role than Fort Valley State's Ricardo Lockette. An accomplished track star, Lockette turned in a blistering 4.34 40-yard dash only to show up on ESPN's first take and say it was slow.

The Colts' are not afraid to draft players from small colleges as they proved in 2008 went they drafted Pierre Garcon in the 6th round out of Mount Union College and Lockette's upside far outweighs his lack of polish.