[2014 Colts Roster]

So we are just going to assume:

 

1) Thomas returns 100% from his injury,

 

2) That Thomas is definitely a high caliber starter based on limited playing time with Pats and one game for us.

 

3) Hugh Thornton (given he has had a few flashes) is going to jump from his current poor/mediocre OL play to starting caliber.

 

All these things could and may well happen, but are you willing to end up in the same situation we are now due to wishful thinking.  Im Not.

 

There are several guards that will hit free agency who will almost certainly play at a higher level than Thornton in his 2nd year.  I think  Asamoah probably projects to be significantly more productive than Thornton for the next several years.  I say get him and bring him in and let them all battle in camp for the next year or 2 and let the best guards start and that also gives us good depth at guard.

This. Signing Mack is the best first step we could take but I think we still need to either add Asamoah or use our 2nd round pick on a guy like Gabe Jackson out of Mississppi State. Thomas coming back is great, and he figures to be solid, but we'll have to just hope he stays healthy. Which leads me to my next point - I think we should keep Thorton too - for depth. You just can't run the football effectively with a bad O-line, and the passing game suffers too.

 

On defense I'd like to sign Byrd if possible. If not Byrd, than hopefully someone else who's at least an upgrade on Bethea. Depending on cap room after C, G, and S have been addressed I think we should consider signing an inside linebacker and look at DE. We could consider drafting a solid mid-round guy like Max Bullough at linebacker instead of or in addition to signing. At CB, I think it's tempting to add a guy from the 3rd round to develop, regardless of what we do in free agency there.

 

If we don't use our 2nd round pick on a G, than I'd want to use it on Jarvis Landry tbh. Reggie is going to be 36 and coming off of a bad knee injury, imho we need another guy who can both come in to play now and hopefully develop into a star. If we don't draft a WR, I'd at least want to sign 1 guy at the position for next year. I was hoping Da'Rick could be the answer, but he's just too much of a question mark at this point. I do want to hold on to him, as well as Brazill and Whalen.

[What do you think the Colts should do this off-season? [Merge]]

Here's how I see the offense:

 

At QB, I wouldn't trade Luck for anyone - delighted there. I'm fine with the running backs. T.R. was a bad trade, but all of the running backs should do somewhat better if the interior O-line can improve. I'm fine with the tackles, maybe an accusation for depth would be a good idea. At guard, Thomas coming back helps but I think we need to bring in someone to start over Thorton (I think he's a developing player and fine to hold on to as a back up, because as we saw this season depth is important). At center, immediate change is needed. At tight end I'm good, getting Allen back should help (Allen-Fleener is a pretty good 1-2 punch) for a 2 TE set. At wide receiver I'm concerned. As great as his hands are Reggie was never a true burner - how slow is he going to be at 36 and coming off knee surgery? He'll be worth having on the field, but with his age he might not be the answer as a #1 receiver anymore. T.Y. is good from the slot or played at wideout, but I'm not sold on him as our #1. I think he's a back end #1 receiver to a high-end #2. Rogers, Brazill, and Whelan are all worth keeping to me too (DHB is not) but I think we're lacking slightly here. Fullback situation is good.

 

Priorities:

1. New starters at C and RG

2. Add a starting WR

3. Improve depth at OL