Five Colts vets affected by NFL draft
The NFL draft is in the books, and the Indianapolis Colts have made their choices known.
Now comes the chore of integrating the draftees and undrafted free agents into the fold. Some of them (center Ryan Kelly) are destined to be in the starting lineup from the start.
Others (safety T.J. Green) might initially need to make their mark on special teams and play a backup role.
But whatever the case, the Colts’ selections in the draft will impact veterans currently on the roster in myriad ways. Let’s look at five returning players who will be significantly affected by the Colts’ decisions in the NFL draft.
Mike Adams
The Colts have gotten more out of their minimal investment in Adams than anyone could have imagined.
He signed with Indianapolis for the veteran minimum in June 2014, the idea being he would simply compete for a starting job. He went on to have one of the best seasons of his long career, being selected to the Pro Bowl after leading the NFL in takeaways (seven). Same thing in 2015, when Adams had a career-high five interceptions (in 13 games) and went to a second consecutive Pro Bowl.
Yet, on the heels of all that, the Colts … drafted a safety in the second round?
Adams’ recent play might have defied logical expectations, but his age cannot be (and is not being) overlooked. Adams is 35 and entering his 13th NFL season. He’s been extremely durable – he’s missed four games in the past seven seasons – but the Colts know what everyone in the NFL knows: Drop-offs in veteran players are inevitable and, oftentimes, sudden.
Adams’ current two-year contract expires after the 2016 season. Drafting former Clemson standout Green doesn’t ensure Adams won’t be retained, but the Colts certainly aren’t banking on a 36-year-old safety lining up for them in 2017.
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Robert Mathis
The Colts came into this draft knowing they had a dire need for edge rushers. Unfortunately, that need did not align with their draft board. What was interesting was that the Colts, in spite of this overwhelming need, stuck to their principles and didn’t draft players at a higher slot than their draft evaluations would justify.
“We weren’t just going to take a guy if we didn’t feel like they could come in and actually contribute in some way,” General Manager Ryan Grigson said.
This tells us two things: First, the Colts, like many teams, didn’t believe this class of pass rushers to be very deep. Second, it says that the Colts believe they can generate some pass rush with their current roster.
That latter takeaway means the spotlight immediately turns to Robert Mathis, the Colts’ 35-year-old franchise sack leader, who this fall will be three years removed from his career-high 19½-sack season in 2013. The absence of other proven rushers, outside of the now-unproductive Trent Cole, compounds the challenge Mathis faces.
The Colts plan to rely on their revamped defensive scheme to muster pressure creatively. They also intend to lean heavily on their defensive line to create an interior pass rush.
But make no mistake: Mathis will have to produce plenty.
Jon Harrison
If you weren’t sure what the Colts thought about their holdovers at center, you got a pretty clear indication on Monday. That’s when the Colts waived Khaled Holmes, mere days after drafting Kelly in the first round.
But seeing how the offensive line selections continued with four total picks, other veteran linemen are sure to be impacted. After starting 19 games in the past two seasons, Jon Harrison seems to be chief among them.
He’s no longer in the running to start at center. And his viability as a guard is unclear because he’s rarely played the position since his arrival in 2014. Even so, the Colts drafted others to compete there. Meanwhile, seventh-round pick Austin Blythe from Iowa was the Hawkeyes’ center and could provide a backup option there if he beats out Harrison.
The offensive line will become a numbers game once training camp arrives, and Harrison isn’t sure to be among those who make the cut.
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Jack Doyle
All those offensive line picks meant there wasn’t room for selections at some other positions.
One of those is tight end. Bowing to their financial limitations, the Colts let Coby Fleener walk as a free agent to the New Orleans Saints. They have not made any impactful acquisitions at the position in free agency or in the draft, though Dwayne Allen was retained with a $29 million contract.
“We looked at every position,” Grigson said regarding tight ends after the draft.
Ultimately, the Colts decided to pass. Which means they’ll likely be expecting Jack Doyle to play an expanded role in 2016. We do not know the exact role of the tight ends in the offense being installed by new coordinator Rob Chudzinski. However, we do know the Colts have enjoyed great success with their tight ends the past four seasons. For the position to be nearly as productive as it has been, Doyle will have to fill some big shoes.
He’s a better blocker than Fleener, but he’s not nearly as versatile or dangerous as a receiver. Can he improve on this aspect of his game? Can he grow into a long-term No. 2 tight end for Indianapolis?
We might soon find out.
Joe Reitz
Before the draft, Reitz figured to be part of a two-man preseason battle at right tackle with second-year prospect Denzelle Good. But now, it’s unclear what exactly Reitz’s role will be in 2016.
Reitz could certainly remain in the picture at right tackle, but there are more than just two players at the position now. The Colts drafted two tackles in the draft: All-Big 12 selection Le’Raven Clark of Texas Tech and FCS All-American Joe Haeg of North Dakota State. One of them could be a candidate to play guard, but that remains undetermined.
Reitz has been valuable for the Colts, especially last season, when he reliably was their starting right tackle for 10 games. He’s also got the versatility to play guard.
We know what he’s done in the past, but what Reitz does going forward is an open question.
Follow IndyStar reporter Stephen Holder on Twitter: @HolderStephen.