Who are the Best Players in the Draft at the Colts' Positions of Need?

We've spent a lot of time recently looking at the positions of need for the Colts this offseason, and earlier this week we gave readers a chance to vote on which one was the biggest need for the Colts.

Keep in mind that this was before the Colts released LaRon Landry, but given that many expected that move and that many thought Landry stunk, I'm not sure how different the results would have been.  Either way, however, 41% said that the wide receiver position was the biggest need, 19% said the defensive line, 11% said the offensive line, 8% said pass rush and another 8% said safety, 7% said running back, and 6% said inside linebacker.  Whether or not you agree with those results, it's clear that those positions make up the areas of need for the Colts, and with many wanting to talk about the draft, let's take a look at some of the best prospects at those positions.

Recently, NFL Network draft analyst Mike Mayock released his list of the top five prospects at each position in the Draft, and so we will look at his rankings at those positions the Colts need.  The format is similar to the article we did earlier this week, as by clicking on the header for the positions of need you can read more about why those are areas of need, and then you can see the current state of the position for the Colts before getting into Mayock's top five at the position.

Running Back

Players currently on the roster (not including upcoming free agents): Vick Ballard, Jeff Demps, Michael Hill, Trent Richardson, Zurlon Tipton

Upcoming free agents for Colts: Ahmad Bradshaw, Dan Herron (RFA)

Mayock's top five available in the Draft:

1. Melvin Gordon, Wisconsin 
2. Todd Gurley, Georgia 
3. Ameer Abdullah, Nebraska 
4. Duke Johnson, Miami (Fla.) 
5. Tevin Coleman, Indiana

Wide Receiver

Players currently on the roster (not including upcoming free agents):Kadron Boone, Duron Carter, T.Y. Hilton, Ryan Lankford, Josh Lenz, Donte Moncrief, Griff Whalen, Josh Cribbs

Upcoming free agents for Colts: Reggie Wayne, Hakeem Nicks

Mayock's top five available in the Draft:

1. Kevin White, West Virginia 
2. Amari Cooper, Alabama 
3. DeVante Parker, Louisville 
4. Dorial Green-Beckham, Missouri 
5. Devin Funchess, Michigan

Offensive Line

Players currently on the roster (not including upcoming free agents):Jonotthan Harrison, Khaled Holmes, David Arkin, Ben Heenan, Lance Louis, Jack Mewhort, Donald Thomas, Hugh Thornton, Anthony Castonzo, Gosder Cherilus, Matt Hall, Tyler Hoover, Ulrick John

Upcoming free agents for Colts: Joe Reitz, A.Q. Shipley (RFA)

Mayock's top five available in the Draft:

Interior offensive linemen
1. Brandon Scherff, Iowa 
2. Cameron Erving, Florida State 
3. Laken Tomlinson, Duke 
4. A.J. Cann, South Carolina 
5. Tre' Jackson, Florida State

Offensive tackle
1. T.J. Clemmings, Pittsburgh 
2. Andrus Peat, Stanford 
3. La'el Collins, LSU 
4. Ereck Flowers, Miami (Fla.) 
5t. Cedric Ogbuehi, Texas A&M 
5t. D.J. Humphries, Florida

Defensive Line

Players currently on the roster (not including upcoming free agents): Gannon Conway, Montori Hughes, Ricky Jean Francois, Arthur Jones, Kelcy Quarles, Josh Chapman, Zach Kerr

Upcoming free agents for Colts: Cory Redding, Fili Moala, Jeris Pendleton (RFA)

Mayock's top five available in the Draft:

1. Leonard Williams, USC 
2. Danny Shelton, Washington 
3. Malcom Brown, Texas 
4. Arik Armstead, Oregon 
5t. Jordan Phillips, Oklahoma 
5t. Eddie Goldman, Florida State

Pass Rusher

Players currently on the roster (not including upcoming free agents): Robert Mathis, Jonathan Newsome, Shaun Phillips, Bjoern Werner, Erik Walden

Upcoming free agents for Colts: N/A

Mayock's top five available in the Draft:

1. Dante Fowler, Jr., Florida 
2. Randy Gregory, Nebraska 
3. Shane Ray, Missouri 
4. Vic Beasley, Clemson 
5. Bud Dupree, Kentucky

Inside Linebacker

Players currently on the roster (not including upcoming free agents): D'Qwell Jackson, Shawn Loiseau, Henoc Muamba

Upcoming free agents for Colts: Jerrell Freeman (RFA), Josh McNary (ERFA)

Mayock's top five available in the Draft:

1. Paul Dawson, TCU 
2. Benardrick McKinney, Mississippi State 
3. Denzel Perryman, Miami (Fla.) 
4. Eric Kendricks, UCLA 
5. Stephone Anthony, Clemson

Safety

Players currently on the roster (not including upcoming free agents): Winston Guy, Dewey McDonald

Upcoming free agents for Colts: Mike Adams, Sergio Brown, Colt Anderson, Delano Howell (RFA)

Mayock's top five available in the Draft:

1. Landon Collins, Alabama 
2. Shaq Thompson, Washington 
3. Derron Smith, Fresno State 
4. Jaquiski Tartt, Samford 
5. Ibraheim Campbell, Northwestern