After Wide Receiver, the next biggest need on Offense for the Colts are Interior Offensive Linemen. Currently the Colts have a bunch of young guys who are very inconsistent, and a complete overhaul of both Guard positions is certainly possible, and the starting center, Jeff Saturday, is most likely not coming back next year. Even if he does, it'll only be for two years tops, so getting a guy now might be a good idea.
For the sake of this story, I'm going to say that Guard and Center are interchangeable, even though in reality it isn't really the case. I only have two Centers in the list, and even though both guys are four year starters at Center, they could kick inside to Guard for a year or two if needed. There are also several guys who were Tackles in college, but they are being projected as Guards in the NFL. There's only three or four guys who were actually Guards in college.
I don't see the need here for the Colts super high, but just in need of some bodies, so I'm not expecting a high pick. A good number of these guys are lower-round prospects, which is where I expect the Colts to be looking for a lineman or two.
After the jump I'll show you the entire group of Linemen, and give you my favorites in the group.
List of Interior Linemen to watch at the Scouting Combine for the Colts:
| Interior Linemen | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Jr | Player | School | Camp # |
| JEFF ALLEN | ILLINOIS | OL02 | |
| MARK ASPER | OREGON | OL04 | |
| MICHAEL BREWSTER | OHIO ST | OL08 | |
| CORDY GLENN | GEORGIA | OL18 | |
| BEN JONES | GEORGIA | OL22 | |
| SENIO KELEMETE | WASHINGTON | OL25 | |
| JOE LOONEY | WAKE FOREST | OL29 | |
| LUKE NIX | PITTSBURGH | OL37 | |
| AMINI SILATOLU | MIDWESTERN ST | OL46 | |
| KEVIN ZEITLER | WISCONSIN | OL54 | |
A couple of my favorites:
Who did I miss? Let me know in the comments.
0 recs | 16 comments
Would be nice to pick up 2 of them in the late rounds
Now, it would be perfect to pick up Steve Hutchinson IF he gets cut and IF he is cheep, for our OG situation
Those late rounders hopefully are ready to play in 2 or 3 years when Steve is gone
For the C position it has to be somebody that immediately starts and can have some chemistry with our new QB… So we either draft in early rounds or it has to be free agancy
Nojan - February 20, 2012 via mobile
If we are looking at big road grader guards who can still pass protect...
Here are a few later round possibilities.
Antoine McClain – Clemson
Ryan Miller – Colorado
Lonnie Edwards – Texas Tech (my sleeper pick)
Rokevious Watkins – South Carolina
These guys are all 6-4" or bigger and weigh in the 330 – 340 range, but shouldn’t be liabilities in pass protection. All should be available in rounds 5-7 (precombine). I don’t think any of them played center so I think we are looking at strictly guards.
Radcolt - February 20, 2012
Bullseye on Lonnie Edwards.
I’d really like to see him playing on the other side of center from Ben Ijalana one day. I’d be happier if we picked up Ben Jones or Kevin Zeitler, but Edwards be a nice consolation prize.
Chopaholic - February 21, 2012
Centers...
It depends if we draft road graders or athletic zone blockers. These guys may be able to fit either scheme.
Philip Blake – Baylor 3-4 round
Quentin Saulsbury – Mississippi State 3-4 round
Grant Garner – Oklahoma State 4-5 round
T-Bob Herbert – LSU 7 round
Radcolt - February 20, 2012
Really enjoy these scouting reports by position
The offensive line is the most important position, not only for Andrew Luck, for any rookie qb trying to acclimate himself to the speed and complexities of the NFL. There have been alot of discussions recently regarding the number of #1 overall draft picks, at quarterback, who have turned out to be busts. I think of David Carr and how his confidence was shot by playing behind a bad offensive line that could not protect him. While this Colts team has many holes on it’s roster, I would hope that they would use multiple draft picks on O linemen. I would also like to see them be active in free agency, at the position, if an experienced leader becomes available. The mention of Steve Hutchinson is a good example.
thomasezekiel77 - February 21, 2012
Is
Jake Kirkpatrick still on the practice squad? He was good in college.
Addai Another Aday - February 21, 2012 via iPhone app
Jake Scott looks to become a FA too
Ty46 - February 21, 2012
^^This
COLTS_CR9 - February 21, 2012
Nice... Like to see him and Steve hutchintson
Nojan - February 21, 2012 via mobile
I would much rather see Evan Mathis. It makes sense too – given our new GM’s connection to the Eagles.
Leyoz - February 22, 2012
i second..
Phillip Blake, center, Baylor and lonnie Edwards, guard, Texas tech!
Hetfield - February 21, 2012
Sleeper pick
My sleeper pick is the guy I took in the sixth of the mock: Joel Foreman from Michigan State. His career with the Spartans was solid but unremarkable. Unlike Edwards (who I like but plays WAY too high) or Brandon Brooks (great run blocker but doesn’t do well in pass blocking), he is a great technician in both pass and run blocking. A bigger guy at 6’4 310 he also fits well with the move toward a bigger O-line.
As far as centers go, I like Quinten Saulsbury from Mississippi State because he NEVER missed a single game in his four year career. I also like Grant Garner from Oklahoma State who is a decent run blocker but superb at pass blocking. I also wouldn’t be averse to bringing Jake Kirkpatrick back to camp, especially since Pollack’s contract is up
TrueBlue87 - February 21, 2012
Where's Peter Konz on this list? He's the top rated Center in the draft
and there’s an outside chances he’s available for the Colts in round 2.
He’s one of the best prospects at center to come out since Pouncey, and maybe even better. I think the Colts go either DB or NT with their second pick, but it wouldn’t surprise me if they went with Konz either if he’s still on the board.
BoilerUp1982 - February 21, 2012
Agree. If they want to draft a center, he is the one I want in the second round
Nojan - February 21, 2012 via mobile
I think Konz goes in the first round.
Like you said, best prospect since Pouncey who also was a first rounder. But I would take him in a heartbeat if he falls to the top of round 2. This would mean the Colts have locked up the QB and the Center position for several years. Get NT in the third and CB, Safety, WR, and Guards in the later rounds.
Radcolt - February 21, 2012
Unless Ta’Madu or Chapman fall there won’t be a NT worth taking the third. In your scenario it’s probably corner third, wide receiver fourth, and guard/nose tackle in the fifth and/or sixth.
No safeties worth having this year, at least none that upgrade Lefedge. It’s a very weak class.
TrueBlue87 - February 22, 2012
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