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NFL Mock Draft 2017: Defense rules early

By Brad Weiss

Dec 30, 2016; El Paso, TX, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Mitch Trubisky (10) throws the ball against the Stanford Cardinal defense at Sun Bowl Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ivan Pierre Aguirre-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 30, 2016; El Paso, TX, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Mitch Trubisky (10) throws the ball against the Stanford Cardinal defense at Sun Bowl Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ivan Pierre Aguirre-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 2, 2017; Arlington, TX, USA; Wisconsin Badgers offensive lineman Ryan Ramczyk (65) in action during the game against the Western Michigan Broncos in the 2017 Cotton Bowl game at AT&T Stadium. The Badgers defeat the Broncos 24-16. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 2, 2017; Arlington, TX, USA; Wisconsin Badgers offensive lineman Ryan Ramczyk (65) in action during the game against the Western Michigan Broncos in the 2017 Cotton Bowl game at AT&T Stadium. The Badgers defeat the Broncos 24-16. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /
15

Ryan Ramczyk

OT, Wisconsin

Despite the fact that the Indianapolis Colts played poor football for most of the 2016 season, they were still in the mix for a playoff spot up until late in the season. The Colts have missed out on the playoffs the last two seasons, and this month, fans were given a good reason why. The surgery that starting quarterback Andrew Luck had in January stems from an injury in the 2015 NFL season, which means he has been playing hurt the last two seasons.

Luck has had to run for his life for most of his career, and the Colts need to bring in some talent on the offensive line this offseason. Their line was downright poor last season, so drafting a player like Ryan Ramczyk makes perfect sense at No. 15. Ramczyk is the best offensive tackle prospect in this draft, and would slide right into a starting spot along an offensive line that will have to improve if the team hopes to be competitive in a deep AFC South next season.

The Colts also need help at running back, so they could certainly take a back with the fifteenth overall pick. However, there are a bunch of talented running backs in this draft, and grabbing a player like Alvin Kamara in the second round is certainly a possibility. This Colts team did a nice job of bringing in talent on defense via free agency, and now it is time for them to protect their best asset, Andrew Luck.

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