NFL Mock Draft 2016: Pre-Combine mock draft has Colts adding an offensive lineman

The annual Scouting Combine will take place this week in Indianapolis, as the NFL world heads to the home of the Colts to evaluate prospects in the 2016 draft class.

It's expected that the Colts will be keeping a close eye on the offensive linemen this week (among others), and the early mock drafts have overwhelmingly featured the Colts taking a lineman in the first round.  That is once again the case this week, as SB Nation's Dan Kadar released a pre-Combine mock draft and had the Colts taking Michigan State tackle Jack Conklin with the 18th overall pick.  Surprise, surprise.

"You know the drill. The Colts have a special player in quarterback Andrew Luck, but he could be a much better player with a good offensive line. Conklin is a talented player with NFL strength coming out of Michigan State. He's a skilled blocker coming out of a pro-style offense and could slot into either tackle spot for the Colts."

Conklin has clearly been the most common player mocked to the Colts in the first round, as people see the team's need up front and just slot the best lineman available in at number 18.  A three-year starter at Michigan State, Conklin (6-6, 325 pounds) started 38 career games before deciding to forgo his senior season and declare for the draft.  He was a first-team All-American in 2015 as he helped Michigan State reach a playoff berth.  Though the majority of his time with the Spartans was spent at left tackle (35 of his starts came there), the Colts already have Anthony Castonzo in place at the position and re-signed him to a big deal last offseason.  That would shift Conklin to right tackle (unless, of course, the Colts wanted to try to move him inside), where he would likely start for the team.

Tackle isn't the biggest need for the Colts even along their offensive line, though it's the most commonly projected position for the team to address in the first round.  The biggest thing the Colts need is more quality starters up front to go along with Castonzo and Jack Mewhort, however, so adding talented contributors would be a help regardless.