AFC South Breakdown: The Reigning Champs
By Randy Gurzi
Jun 9, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts wide receivers from left to right Griff Whalen(17), T.Y. Hilton (13), and Phillip Dorsett (15) wait their turn to run passing routes during minicamp at the Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
What Was With That Pick?
The Colts were bad at running the ball. They were almost as bad at stopping the run. They were the number one passing attack in the league.
So naturally at the 29th pick in the first round they went with a defensive lineman…or offensive lineman…or possibly running back, right?
Nope, instead they went with a wide receiver that is almost identical height, weight and playing style to T.Y. Hilton when they selected Dorsett.
The move baffled me and makes me wonder what general manager Ryan Grigson was thinking. The team could have benefited from a defensive lineman like Malcom Brown, Mario Edwards, Jr. or Eddie Goldman. They could have netted an offensive lineman like Donovan Smith or a running back like T.J. Yeldon, all picked shortly after the Colts choice.
While Dorsett is not a bad player, all these other choices to me would have made much more sense for Indy.
Oct 26, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck (12) calls a play in the huddle against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the second quarter at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Round-Up
While the offense will be as scary as they were in 2014, I still see the defense setting the team up for a let down come playoff time, barring some unforeseen break out season by several young players.
Andre Luck will go for more than 4,500 yards again and would bet the over on 35 touchdown passes because I am not sold that the running game will be much different either.
Another great season could see them wind up in the AFC Championship again, but the same defense could lead to the same results in that game.
Predicted Record
12-4