NFL Mock Draft 2016: Another mock draft has Colts taking offensive lineman Taylor Decker

Another mock draft, another projected offensive lineman for the Colts in the first round.

I's Monday, and for two teams that means celebrating conference title game victories.  But for everyone not named the Broncos or the Panthers, the offseason is underway, and Monday is a time to look at mock drafts to see what people are predicting each team to do in the 2016 NFL Draft.

For the Indianapolis Colts, almost everybody has them taking an offensive lineman in the first round of mock drafts, and that continues today.  SB Nation's Dan Kadar has his most recent mock draft up where he has the Colts taking Ohio State offensive tackle Taylor Decker with the 18th overall pick.

The offensive line for the Colts still isn't completely figured out. Decker can play either tackle spot, so that versatility would go a long way in making the fix. A playmaking running back like Ohio State's Ezekiel Elliott would be a difference making option, too.

Kadar lists other potential options for each team in his most recent mock draft, and in addition to Decker, Kadar mentions Ohio State running back Ezekiel Elliot and Michigan State offensive tackle Jack Conklin.

Decker is a very popular pick for the Colts in mock drafts right now, as it seems like he's the one who has been projected to the Colts the most in the early stages of the draft process.  The 6-7, 315 pound lineman was a three-year starter for Ohio State at left tackle, playing in 54 career games and starting 42.  He was a first-team All-American in 2015 and won a National Championship as a junior in 2014.  Though he was primarily a left tackle in college, he has the skills to play at either tackle spot in the NFL, which is a luxury and something the Colts would surely value.

If taken by the Colts, Decker would likely start at right tackle, taking the place of Joe Reitz (who could then either move to guard or be a backup for pretty much the entire line).  With Anthony Castonzo and Jack Mewhort already in place as young building blocks along the line, adding another one in Decker could be a big benefit.  There's still a long way to go before the NFL Draft, but the early mock drafts are all pointing to one thing: offensive line help for the Colts in the first round.

Playoffs have shown Colts the importance of a good offensive line

INDIANAPOLIS -- The Indianapolis Colts spent the season watching their quarterbacks consistently take a pounding from defensive players. In addition, running back Frank Gore was hit behind the line of scrimmage more than he should have been because of poor offensive line play.

The first step in attempting to improve the offensive line took place when head coach Chuck Pagano hired former Miami Dolphins head coach Joe Philbin to coach the offensive line. Philbin has experience coaching offensive linemen from his days with the Green Bay Packers.

“They are the heart and soul of the football team, especially on the offensive side of the ball,” Philbin recently told Colts.com. “They kind of dictate the tempo of the team. As you know, we’ve got some outstanding skill players here in Indianapolis. Very, very fortunate [to have them]. It’s the O-line’s job to let those guys make plays in a game, when it counts. You have to be unselfish. There is a great coordination that has to take place with the offensive line working together.”

If giving up 37 sacks and 118 quarterbacks hits, which was second in the NFL, wasn’t proof enough, all the Colts had to do was look at the NFC Championship Game to get further validation of the importance of having a good offensive line.

Lost in the dominating performance of their defense was the Carolina Panthers’ ability to protect quarterback Cam Newton, who was only sacked one time. They also rushed for 144 yards on the ground against the Arizona Cardinals.

It doesn’t matter how many skill position players Colts quarterback Andrew Luck has around him if the offensive line can’t give him a clean pocket. New England quarterback Tom Brady found that out when the Denver Broncos hit him 23 times in the AFC Championship Game.

The Colts have to get tougher and better overall up front. At this point, you can probably say left tackle Anthony Castonzo and guard Jack Mewhort are the only two returning offensive linemen expected to start next season barring an injury. The other three positions on the line are up for grabs.