The Indianapolis Colts have concluded their haul in the 2019 NFL Draft while also adding 13 more names in the form of undrafted free agents following the end of rookie minicamp.
Even with the Colts addressing some major needs in free agency and the draft this offseason, there are still some that remain for the future. Whether the Colts will look to address them before the season starts remains to be seen, but there are still some needs Indy has.
Here’s a look at the biggest needs for the Colts following the NFL Draft:
Interior Defensive Line
The Colts added several new faces to the front seven this offseason with the addition of veteran edge rusher Justin Houston in free agency and with the fact that they selected three linebackers on Days 2 and 3 of the draft.
However, the interior defensive line was left alone throughout the majority of the offseason. With Denico Autry and Margus Hunt returning, the Colts have to feel good about their starters, but the depth behind them is relatively thin. Even when considering Tyquan Lewis as a three-technique, the future of the group has some questions.
Behind those three, the Colts have Jihad Ward as some depth at the three-technique and Grover Stewart as the only depth piece at nose or shade. On paper, this group seems to be solid to start the season, but the Colts will have to begin looking toward the future soon.
Safety
The Colts traded up 20 spots in the fourth round of the draft to grab Michigan State safety Khari Willis. While it is being dubbed as a great selection, the future of the unit is still very much cloudy. With Malik Hooker entrenched as a starter, it isn’t clear who the Colts view as his running mate for the future.
Both Clayton Geathers and Matthias Farley are free agents following the 2019 season and George Odum was a special teamer (a solid one at that). Willis is in the future plans, but the Colts will have to begin thinking about the position once more when the season and offseason rolls around.
With Hooker entering his third season and question marks with Geathers and Farley coming off of injuries, the safety position still remains a need for the time being.
Quarterback
Obviously, we aren’t talking about Andrew Luck here. Coming off of his most efficient campaign in 2018, the outlook for Luck and the Colts offense is extremely bright given that his health remains. Still, the depth behind him has plenty of question marks.
If the Colts don’t wind up trading current backup Jacoby Brissett, it is highly likely he will walk in 2020 free agency to a starting gig. No one can blame him, but staying around to be the backup isn’t what he wants to do, no matter how much the Colts say they value him.
Phillip Walker is the other quarterback in the room, but his game isn’t ready to be a backup just yet, which means the Colts are likely to search the market for Luck’s backup if and when Brissett leaves. Whether that’s via trade or in free agency next offseason remains to be seen, but finding a suitable backup for the face of the franchise is a need the Colts must be looking at soon.
