The post-Peyton Manning era in Indianapolis will be ushered in immediately at the upcoming NFL Draft, with the Colts all but certain to select either Stanford star Andrew Luck or Baylor standout Robert Griffin III with the No. 1 overall pick to become the team's new franchise quarterback. Luck still rates as the heavy favorite to be the top choice, though owner Jim Irsay continues to publicly insist that a final decision has not yet been made. Whichever rookie winds up as Manning's successor will need a few more capable targets to work with, as the departure of free agent Pierre Garcon leaves a void at the No. 2 receiver spot alongside Reggie Wayne, while Dallas Clark's release creates a sizeable hole at the tight end position. The intended switch to a 3-4 front under new head coach Chuck Pagano ensures there will be plenty of changes on the defensive side as well, so expect the Colts to use a good number of their 10 picks towards finding players suited to that scheme. The defensive line will particularly require some rearranging, and finding a starting-caliber cornerback also ranks as a high priority.
2011 Record: 2-14
Top Needs: QB, TE, CB, NT
First Three Picks: No. 1, No. 34, No. 64
Number of Selections: 10 (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 5, 6, 7, 7, 7)
RECENT FIRST ROUND HISTORY: 2011 - Anthony Castonzo (OT, Boston College); 2010 - Jerry Hughes (DE, TCU); 2009 - Donald Brown (RB, Connecticut); 2008 - none; 2007 - Anthony Gonzalez (WR, Ohio State); 2006 - Joseph Addai (RB, LSU); 2005 - Marlin Jackson (CB, Michigan); 2004 - none; 2003 - Dallas Clark (TE, Iowa); 2002 - Dwight Freeney (DE, Syracuse).
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