In continuing with this 32 article series, here's a look at the top needs for the Indianapolis Colts as well as a seven-round mock draft we ran through the FanSpeak mock draft simulator. We manually picked for Indianapolis while the picks for all other 31 teams were selected by the simulator.

1. Pass Rush Help 

This has to primarily come from the outside linebacker position. Robert Mathis led all Colts linebackers with seven sacks a season ago. It came in his 13th NFL season and represented his second-lowest total since his rookie campaign. Outside of that, not another player on this unit recorded more than three sacks. 

Now that the Bjoern Werner experiment has proven to be a real failure, Indianapolis needs to bite the bullet and find a true stand-up 3-4 outside linebacker in the first round. This MUST be the team's primary area of focus on Day 1. 

2. Running Back

Frank Gore put up over 1,200 total yards and seven touchdowns in his first season with the Colts. It was his 10th consecutive with over 1,200 total yards. He's also going to be 33 years old next season and has lost a bit of steam recently. 

While the Colts would be best served avoiding this position in the first round, they might have to look at running back early in Day 2. In that, the team should hope a Derrick Henry is available. After that, it really is slim pickings at running back. 

3. Inside Linebacker

After losing Jerrell Freeman in free agency, the Colts are going to need to find an upgrade over Nate Irving at that position. It also must be noted that D'Qwell Jackson isn't getting any younger at inside linebacker. 

Outside of maybe EDGE-rush guys, inside linebacker is the bread and butter of 3-4 defenses. That's why Freeman was so important to this unit. Without any sort of an upgrade here, the Colts defense might very well be dead in the water. Likely to avoid a watered-down free-agent market, the need might end up being filled in the draft. 

4. Guard

Indianapolis did sign Lance Louis to compete with Ben Heenan at right guard. Louis has never been a starter-caliber guard in the NFL. And in reality, we just don't know what to expect with Heenan. Potentially in a position to add the draft's top guard, Cody Whitehair, in the first round, that might be the direction general manager Ryan Grigson and Co. go. If not, look for Indy to find a long-term replacement in Day 2 or early Day 3. 

5. Free Safety

This might have been a bit higher in the need category, but there's not going to be anyone worth a darn available to the Colts in the first round. And if they were to look this position in Round 2, it would also be a pretty big reach. In this, Indianapolis would be best served waiting until the mid-to-late rounds to replace the combination of Clayton Geathers and Winston Guy at free safety.