I will outline some key additions through free agency, and provide a 5 round draft projection that I think would combine to make the Colts competitive once again.
FREE AGENCY
No Grigson style addition of aging vets or numerous low-mid quality depth adds. Targeted difference makers only please!
NT: Dontari Poe - he is the big space eater we need in the middle to run a 3-4 defence. A talented player, he has ties to Ballard, and with KC likely priortizing Berry, seems he could hit the market - a great fit!
(back-up option) Jonathan Hankins - only 24, he should be cheaper than Poe and offers considerable upside.
LB - Melvin Ingram - the pass rusher we so desperately need. Nuff said.
(back-up option) - JPP - even with a hand and a half, he dwarfs any edge rusher on our roster from a talent perspective, and may not command the premium that Ingram likely will due to that hand
TE - Jack Doyle - probably peaked with a great year but knows the system and is a good all around player - better the devil you know!
(back-up option) - Luke Willson - underrated receiving TE with speed, he would be a good add provided we are unable to retain Doyle
LB - Zach Brown - can run, cover and hit - if this sounds like a foreign concept, it is because we have not seen much of this lately - would be a solid add to a LB corps that is completely lacking in starting quality talent.
Bonus add - if we are not successful in one or more of the above additions, G Kevin Zeitler would solidify an improving O-line, and bolster both the running game as well as provide our franchise QB with a much needed infusion of talent on the interior.
DRAFT
1. LB Rueben Foster - with the news he will miss the combine due to surgery, he could slip to 14/15 - if he does, the Colts should take him in a flash, as he is just what they need.
2. RB Christian McCaffery - no secret we need young talent to pair with Gore, and McCaffery would be "well-received" by Luck to be sure as a valuable chess piece providing lots of run/pass options for an offense that needs them.
3. LB Ryan Anderson - while not a stud, he would be a great addition to our defence which is about 4 LB's short of being even average.
4. DT Dalvin Tomlinson - talented, big and strong, he would immediately upgrade the Colts D-line.
5. CB Howard Wilson - Finally a player who can play opposite of Davis, helping the Colts defense to stiffen up versus the pass.
Obviously, this is a bit optimistic, and will require both some luck on draft day as well as a reversal of Ballards intentions to tread lightly in free agency, but hey, a guy can dream right?
Thoughts?