It was clear coming into this draft that the Colts needed help on the offensive line, and they attacked it early with Kelly and Le'Raven Clark in the top 100. Kelly is a starter straight away for Indianapolis. Clark will need some work, but he can play inside and outside. Green was a little bit of a surprising pick at No. 57 with some of the other players available. Ridgeway is an obviously talented and athletic player, but he had some injury issues in college. The skill is there, he just has to actualize it. If he can stay healthy, Morrison is a solid linebacker who can tackle. He's not flashy, but he gets the job done. Picking Joe Haeg in the fifth round was a savvy choice. He's the most experience offensive lineman in the entire drafting, starting 60 games in college. He's pro-ready.
—Dan Kadar, SB Nation
Kelly is not a surprising pick for the Colts whatsoever, as it seems in recent days that the overwhelming majority of mock drafts have had the Colts taking the Alabama center. It's certainly a pick that should make quarterback Andrew Luck happy, as he gets a good center to help protect him. Kelly is a player who can step in right away and start for the Colts from day one at center and addresses the biggest area of need up front. Kelly should be a good player for the Colts for several years to come, and that's never a bad pick at number 18 overall.
It's not a surprise to see the Colts add a safety in the draft, as they were looking at some options in the pre-draft process. Mike Adams is 35 years old and the selection of Green could be seen as the eventual replacement to the two-time Pro Bowler. That would allow Clayton Geathers and Mike Adams to start in 2016 while giving Green the time to continue to develop as a defensive back and fill in where needed, while also contributing on special teams. Then, after the season, the hope could be that Green could take over Adams' spot.
This pick is all about value for the Colts, and it adds intrigue to their offensive line situation. Will the Colts play Clark at right tackle? Will they move him to right guard? It will be interesting to see where they end up playing him, but it's clear that the Colts determined to protect Andrew Luck.
Ridgeway isn't an edge rusher, but he is a guy who can generate pressure up the middle from the defensive line. For the Colts, they desperately need pass rush help wherever they can get it, so hopefully Ridgeway can continue to develop and help the Colts as a pass rusher on their defensive line.
Morrison played in 47 games at Florida and recorded 294 tackles, 21 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, three passes defensed, an interception, three forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery. He recorded over 100 tackles in back-to-back seasons and in 2015 was a unanimous first-team All-SEC selection as well as a semi-finalist for the Butkus Award.
Haeg protected second overall pick Carson Wentz at North Dakota State, where he started 60 career games as a four-year starter. He started at right tackle in his first two seasons (making 29 starts) and then in his final two seasons he started 31 games at left tackle. He was a first-team All-American selection (FCS) in both 2014 and 2015 and was invited to participate in the Senior Bowl this year, where he impressed.
Bates was a defensive end at Maine but will play outside linebacker in the Colts' 3-4 system, adding help as a pass rusher. He had a private workout with the Colts during the draft process, and the Portland Press Herald reported that a Colts scout worked him out during his pro day to test his speed and agility, where he "shined." Bates said that he has spent time during the pre-draft process gaining speed, losing weight, and working on his footwork to play linebacker in the NFL after playing 39 games at defensive end at Maine.
Blythe played in 50 games and started 49 of them for Iowa, including 45 starts in a row to close out his collegiate career. He made 33 starts at center, ten starts at right guard, and six starts at left guard. He was named to Iowa's leadership group all four years he was there and was a permanent team captain in 2015. He was one of three finalists for the Rimington Award in 2015 (Colts center Ryan Kelly won it) and was invited to the Senior Bowl.