Indianapolis Colts 2013 Draft Preview

Apr 16, 2013 - 2:21 PM (Sports Network) - The Colts hope to build on a promising first season with Andrew Luck at the controls.

The fact that the Colts are picking 24th in the 2013 NFL Draft a year after selecting Luck No. 1 overall should tell you all you need to know about the Stanford product and the impact he had on the franchise.

To move forward even further Indianapolis will need to protect Luck more consistently and that means upgrading the offensive line. The team did pry right tackle Gosder Cherilus away from Detroit in free agency but incumbent left tackle Anthony Castonzo struggles with speed off the edges and guard Mike McGlynn is often overmatched inside.

Indianapolis also needs to replace Dwight Freeney and help 32-year-old Robert Mathis on the edges of its 3-4 defense while continuing to add pieces to its secondary. Signing free agent linebacker Erik Walden as well as cornerback Greg Toler and safety LaRon Landry helps but the Colts still need more athleticism.

LSU hybrid defensive end/linebacker Barkevious Mingo was once thought of as a top-10 prospect, so getting him at No. 24 would be nice value. Cornerbacks like Washington's Desmond Trufant or Mississippi State's Johnathan Banks could also be in play for Indy.

2012 Record: 11-5

Top Needs: OL, OLB, CB

First Three Picks: No. 24, No. 86, No. 121

Number of Selections: 6 (1, 3, 4, 6, 7, 7)

RECENT FIRST ROUND HISTORY: 2012 - Andrew Luck (QB, Stanford); 2011 - Anthony Castonzo (OT, Boston College); 2010 - Jerry Hughes (DE, TCU); 2009 - Donald Brown (RB, Connecticut); 2008 - none; 2007 - Anthony Gonzalez (WR, Ohio State); 2006 - Joseph Addai (RB, LSU); 2005 - Marlin Jackson (CB, Michigan); 2004 - none; 2003 - Dallas Clark (TE, Iowa); 2002 - Dwight Freeney (DE, Syracuse).