Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
The 2013 NFL Draft is still a few months away and the NFL playoffs aren’t even over yet, but for teams like the Indianapolis Colts that are out of the Super Bowl race, all attention now turns to April. The Colts’ offense is obviously in good hands with quarterback Andrew Luck under center, but that defense needs some work. With the No. 24 overall pick, the Colts should take Texas Longhorns defensive end Alex Okafor.
Like most top-notch Mack Brown recruits, Okafor was a high school All-American. As a full-time starter in his junior season (2011), Okafor recorded 12.5 tackles for loss to go along with seven sacks, which earned him unanimous first-team All-Big 12 and All-American honors.
Okafor is the perfect size to play 4-3 defensive end in the NFL as he lacks the lateral quickness to play outside linebacker in the 3-4 and he’s not big enough to get down at defensive end in the 3-4. However, he’s a solid block-shedder, which means his draft stock will steadily go up as the draft draws near.
Okafor can really help the Colts’ defense that didn’t put much pressure on opposing quarterbacks in 2012, which led to shootout after shootout and although that helped Luck’s development as a rookie, it will turn him and Indy’s offense into a predictable, pass-happy scheme if it’s not fixed.
Look for the Colts to eye a guy like Okafor if not another pass-rusher as they pick in the latter part of the first round this year after a successful 11-5 season in Luck’s rookie year. Big things coming in Indy.
Jeric Griffin is the Director of Content for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @JericGriffin, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google
