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Indianapolis Colts: 2016 7-round NFL mock draft

By John Buhler

Jan 3, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts coach Chuck Pagano on the sidelines against the Tennessee Titans at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 3, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts coach Chuck Pagano on the sidelines against the Tennessee Titans at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 17, 2015; Waco, TX, USA; Baylor Bears defensive end Shawn Oakman (2) during the game against the West Virginia Mountaineers at McLane Stadium. The Bears defeat the Mountaineers 62-38. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 17, 2015; Waco, TX, USA; Baylor Bears defensive end Shawn Oakman (2) during the game against the West Virginia Mountaineers at McLane Stadium. The Bears defeat the Mountaineers 62-38. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

Truth be told, it is going to be very hard for the Colts to get a strong defensive in the 2016 NFL Draft with where their current draft picks stand (No. 18, No. 48, No. 82, etc.). Surely, Indianapolis can go with someone like Ogbah at No. 18 over Conklin, but protecting Luck is the trump card in that first round conundrum.

Since Indianapolis needs a defensive end more than anything after former Florida State pass rusher Bjorn Werner busted, expect the Colts to at least address their pass rushing woes by at latest the fourth round.

While going with Baylor’s Shawn Oakman at No. 116 has a bit of boom or bust potential, for a mid-fourth round pick, it seems worthwhile for the Colts to go with the physical defensive end specimen with that draft pick.

Oakman has so many physical gifts that if he is put into the right defensive scheme to succeed, he could become an annual 10+ sack monster on an NFL defensive line. The problem is that he may lack the quintessential motor to achieve that if not properly motivated.

Since the Colts need a pass rusher and Oakman has something to prove after potentially slipping all the way to day three of the 2016 NFL Draft, perhaps this is a match that both teams could benefit from? Oakman could bust, but his athleticism does give him a tremendously high ceiling for what could now be a fourth round draft selection this spring.

Next: 155. Beniquez Brown, Inside Linebacker, Mississippi State

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