When it comes to the Indianapolis Colts, the 2012 NFL Draft was all about Andrew Luck.
And not just because Luck was the big star on Thursday night. The Colts used the majority of their draft picks to improve the offense around their new quarterback. Eight of the 10 players picked are on the offensive side of the ball, including Luck's favorite target at Stanford, tight end Coby Fleener.
The Colts didn't take a defender until the fifth round, when Alabama defensive tackle Josh Chapman (and his recently repaired anterior cruciate ligament) came off the board.
Luck is surely pleased with the strategy of general manager Ryan Grigson, but there's no denying Indianapolis' defense was in just as dire shape as the offense heading into the draft.
"I've been in a lot of draft rooms, and I've seen people reach way down, into the bowels of the draft board, to fill a need position," Grigson told SI.com's Peter King. "Then, once they come in and get in pads and they start playing, you figure you really haven't solved the problem you needed to solve. So we targeted some (defensive) guys, but when we couldn't get them, we had players on our board we knew could help us, and help us now."
It's nearly a certainty the Colts will struggle badly on defense this season. The talent level is subpar and even proven veterans Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis are suspect as they attempt to transition from a 4-3 scheme to the 3-4.
With no young talent having been added to the mix, Luck can expect to be playing from behind all season. Good for fantasy owners, bad for real ones.
"This is not a one-day job," Grigson said. "I'm fortunate to have a coach and owner who trust me, and we're fortunate to have a quarterback now. We're chipping away."
