With The First Pick
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Colts: 2021 NFL Draft primer as Carson Wentz era begins

By Darral Nail

ARLINGTON, TX - APRIL 26: NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell announces a pick by the Indianapolis Colts during the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft at AT&T Stadium on April 26, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX - APRIL 26: NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell announces a pick by the Indianapolis Colts during the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft at AT&T Stadium on April 26, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /
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Retiring Colts left tackle Anthony Castonzo, Photo Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

Team needs for Colts entering 2021 NFL Draft

Team need no. 1: Left tackle

Any discussion of the team needs in Indianapolis ahead of the 2021 NFL Draft should begin with the task of finding a replacement for the departing Castonzo at left tackle. Given that the Colts’ success in the near future is dependent on a Carson Wentz comeback, they simply can not afford to enter the upcoming season without a competent blocker to protect their new quarterback’s blindside.

Team need no. 2: EDGE

The Colts’ predicament at the left tackle position is rivaled only by that of the team’s currently rostered pass rushers. With the loss of Denico Autry and the lingering of Justin Houston in free agency, the 2021 Colts could find themselves missing their top EDGE defenders from the previous season. Finding comparable replacements for a duo that combined for 15.5 sacks in 2020 would be daunting, but the unit’s ability to generate some form of pass rush up-front will be absolutely critical to the team’s chances for success in the upcoming season.

Team need no. 3: Cornerback

Rounding out the positions of particular need for Indianapolis is the cornerback position. While T.J. Carrie remains unsigned, Kenny Moore, Xavier Rhodes, and Rock Ya-Sin are set to return from a group that ranked 20th in the league in pass defense, allowing 241 yards per game. Even with Marvell Tell set to rejoin the team after opting out of the 2020 season, the Colts should be solidly in the market for help at corner.

Honorable mention: quarterback

Serving as a sort of honorable mention among the needs in Indy is the team’s quarterback situation.  With Jacoby Brissett taking his talents to South Beach, the Colts’ stable (I know, I know) of players at the game’s most important position is currently comprised of Carson Wentz and 2020 rookie Jacob Eason.  While Eason is no scrub from a talent standpoint, he has yet to see the field in an NFL game.

Given that the last time we saw Wentz in a game he was on the sidelines, after playing so poorly that the Eagles could no longer allow him on the field in good faith, a decent backup plan might be in order.  Florida’s Kyle Trask, not dissimilar as a prospect to Wentz, could make some sense to Indy on the back half of day 3 in the draft.

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