Indianapolis Colts

2015 Draft: Colts may finally get defensive

Published Apr. 30, 2015 12:59 a.m. ET

foxsports

The time may have finally come for general manager Ryan Grigson and the Indianapolis Colts to focus on the defensive side of the ball in the NFL draft.

The Colts are clearly a team with Super Bowl aspirations, and after focusing heavily on offense in the draft over the past few years under Grigson, the defense is due for an infusion of youth and talent.

As Stephen Holder of the Indianapolis Star points out, the Colts draft emphasis since 2012 has clearly been on surrounding star quarterback Andrew Luck with the supporting cast he needs in offense to be successful. A study done by the Star found that no other team in the NFL invested more draft picks on one side of the ball than the Colts did on offensive players between 2012-14.

And it worked. Indianapolis won 33 games over that span and had the NFL's top passing offense last season.

At the same time, the team has had to largely rely on free agency to build the defense. As Holder notes, only one of the Colts projected defensive starters for 2015, NT Josh Chapman, was drafted by the team.

So what does it all mean? With nine draft picks and the Colts having needs at pass rusher and safety, among other spots, this could be the year the defense gets it due.

(h/t Indianapolis Star)

Photo credit: Brian Spurlock/USA TODAY Sports