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NFL Power Rankings: Post-NFL Draft Edition

By Jon Dove

Feb 6, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick speaks during the Super Bowl LI winning team press conference flanked by the Lombardi Trophy at the George R. Brown Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 6, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick speaks during the Super Bowl LI winning team press conference flanked by the Lombardi Trophy at the George R. Brown Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 1, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard speaks to the media during the 2017 NFL Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 1, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard speaks to the media during the 2017 NFL Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /

22. Indianapolis Colts

Key Additions: Johnathan Hankins, Jabaal Sheard, John Simon, Malik Hooker, Quincy Wilson, Tarell Basham, Marlon Mack and Zach Banner

Key Losses: Mike Adams, Dwayne Allen

New General Manager Chris Ballard added some significant talent to the defensive side of the ball this offseason. Free agent signees Johnathan Hankins and Jabaal Sheard should have a major impact. Look for rookies Malik Hooker, Quincy Wilson and Tarell Basham to also produce.

The Sheard and Basham additions should give the Indianapolis Colts two edge players capable of getting after the quarterback. Indianapolis ranked 27th in the NFL in sacks last year which is why they made a point to target players like Sheard and Basham.

Related Story: 2018 NFL Draft Watchlist

Their run-stuffing ability got a late boost from the Johnathan Hankins signing. Hankins was on the market longer than expected, but in the end got a solid long-term deal. He’ll be asked to hold at the point of attack and control the line of scrimmage.

Indianapolis should field a stronger defensive unit capable of creating turnovers and getting after the quarterback. However, the team’s success all rests on the shoulders of quarterback Andrew Luck.

He needs to rebound from two tough season that saw him deal with injuries and inconsistency problems. The Colts didn’t do much to help Luck during the offseason which was a bit of a surprise. They could’ve of used an upgrade at running back behind the aging Frank Gore.

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