Here’s a quick look at the top three positional needs for the Indianapolis Colts:
1. Linebacker/pass-rusher: Robert Mathis, who tied for the team lead with seven sacks, turns 35 next month. D’Qwell Jackson, who led the Colts in tackles, will be 33 next season. Jerrell Freeman will be a free agent. The Colts acquired Sio Moore and Nate Irving with hopes of them being ready to step into starting roles in the future, but Moore didn’t live up to expectations and Irving continued to have injury problems. The Colts had just 35 sacks this season.
2. Offensive lineman: No, this isn’t 2013, 2014 or 2015. It’s 2016, and the Colts have yet to assemble an offensive line good enough to protect franchise quarterback Andrew Luck. General manager Ryan Grigson has selected five offensive linemen in the past three drafts, but they’ve either failed to reach their potential or been consistently injured during their career.
3. Running back: Frank Gore came 33 yards short of becoming the Colts’ first 1,000-yard rusher since 2007, but he’s also turning 33 in May. The Colts don’t have any depth behind Gore. Josh Robinson, the team’s sixth-round draft pick last season, was waived and placed on the practice squad before going on season-ending injured reserve.
