The 2015 regular season is over, and that means it's time for legit 2016 NFL Draft analysis and predictions for the top 20 picks, which are now set. Picking No. 18 overall are the Indianapolis Colts, and they're looking to this offseason to not only get healthy, but upgrade some key positions on the roster that contributed to their struggles last year. A big issue they faced was protecting quarterback Andrew Luck, and that's why taking Michigan State (MSU) OT Jack Conklin makes so much sense.
The 2015 campaign was supposed to be one where the Colts would contend for a Super Bowl. Instead, injuries -- especially to Luck -- played a huge factor in this team struggling immensely all year, and ultimately losing the NFC South race to the Houston Texans.
If they want to get back to top and contend next season, it's going to take an excellent offseason. The defense needs retooling along the defensive line and a couple of other positions, and the offense needs to get healthy and upgrade and multiple spots as well.
Andre Johnson and Frank Gore are another year older; T.Y. Hilton was hurt much of the year; one or both of their top tight ends could leave in free agency; the offensive line has continued to struggle both in protecting the QB as well as opening running lanes, as they allowed 37 total sacks between all four quarterbacks who ended up playing in 2015, and did a subpar job in the run game with the team rushing for less than 100 yards per game and under four yards per carry.
That's where a guy like Jack Conklin would come in handy.
He's a late riser up draft boards, as he was originally projected to be a late-first-rounder or early-second-rounder. However, he's been gaining steam as of late.
Conklin was a two-year starter for the Spartans, and only got better week after week. The 6-foot-6, 325-pounder has started receiving high praise, and Mel Kiper Jr. has talked about how consistency is his greatest asset, saying "he just doesn't give up sacks." That should be sweet, sweet music to Andrew Luck's ears as he was beat up all year long -- broken ribs, hurt shoulders and a lacerated kidney (ouch) -- and he desperately needs the offensive line to be made more of a priority.
The MSU product could be just what they need to anchor one side of the line, whether he can stay at left tackle or at the very least hold down the right side. It'll be interesting to see how he steps up as an athlete at the Combine, as he's a former basketball player in high school and pretty athletic. If he does well, he could solidify his spot in the top-20 picks of the draft, and the Colts would be lucky to nab him.
