The Indianapolis Colts' Offseason Profile

2006 was the year when Peyton Manning and the Colts proved that they were no big game dropouts by beating the Patriots in the playoffs and going on to win it all in a Super Bowl that they dominated. Even with the lack of a tested running back and a sketchy defense, Indianapolis put it together and got it right when it most counted. So they definitely deserved a little rest and relaxation, but only a little. While the Colts have been basking in their deserved glory, the rest of the AFC has spent time trading and improving their rosters in order to knock the Colts off their pedestal in the upcoming season. And although the Colts are still very good they have been weakened in the off-season and will need to make their first round pick a good one.

As far as offense goes the Colts have always seemed to excel. Even after trading renowned running back Edgerin James, the tandem of Dominic Rhodes and Joseph Addai were able to step up and keep opposing defenses honest. This coming season already has the same question looming after Rhodes' departure. Addai is good, but he's not ready to take the load for himself yet and will most likely need a solid backup to change the pace and keep Addai injury free. Unfortunately being last in the draft won't leave them with any possible first round worthy backs, so a later pick will probably be needed to cover that area, which will probably work just fine in the present situation. So as long as this relatively small problem is taken care of in one of the seven rounds the offensive going into the 2007 season will be as deadly as ever.

Defense has really always been the big question mark, even as the Colts were heading to the playoffs. The players played well enough last season, but winning in a shootout still happened more than the management would like. To complicate things more, the Colts will probably be losing one of their best linebackers in Cato June, leaving the remaining players sorely stretched. The secondary is looking no better as top corner Nick Harper left for division rival Tennessee. To complete the abundance of defensive holes, defensive tackle Corey Simon, out all of last year, will no longer being playing in Indy. This means that a first round pick would be welcomed by the defensive line, the linebackers or the secondary with equal glee.

Charles Johnson from Georgia could be the best pick, if still available, because he is durable enough to play either defensive end or outside linebacker. Therefore the Colts could assess their later picks and decide which of the two positions he would work most in. As far as cornerback goes there is little chance one of the top prospects will last to the end, so a later pick will probably be necessary.