[Coltsalr]

Holder says, among other things, to expect Offensive Line early and he doesn’t see it with Jeffery Simmons and that it won’t be a WR and that they aren’t trading up/down:

Look for an early offensive line pick
You’d think the offensive line wouldn’t be a priority topic of conversation after a 2018 draft that netted the Colts a pair of offensive linemen at pick Nos. 3 and 37 overall. Quenton Nelson (No. 3) and Braden Smith (37) went on to become the starting left guard and right tackle, respectively. The Colts also have all five of their 2018 starting linemen returning, a rarity in the ever-changing NFL.

And yet, the Colts are still investing significant time evaluating various offensive linemen in this class, according to sources. That includes offensive linemen projected to be chosen in the first round. Specifically, the odds of an offensive line pick during the first two days of the draft (Rounds 1 through 3) are strong.

I don’t see the Colts picking Jeffery Simmons
There’s not much consensus on where Mississippi State standout defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons will be picked. He’s a difficult player to project given his recent torn ACL. Without it, he’d likely be an early first-round selection. With the injury, he’s perhaps a late-first-round choice. No one knows.

Either way, the possibility exists that he could be on the board when the Colts pick at No. 26 or 34. If so, then what?

Here’s what: The Colts pass. And it will be, in my humble opinion, as much because of his character flag as his injury. If Simmons heals, he could be a beast in 2020.

The first-rounder won’t be a wide receiver
This prediction is, admittedly, based more on gut feeling than hard information. But it’s not a mere dart thrown at the proverbial board, either.

The Colts in the past two offseasons haven’t shown any real urgency about the wide receiver position. While they signed free agent Devin Funchess to a significant one-year, $10 million contract this spring, the key words there are “one year.” That is hardly a long-term commitment and is not the kind of move a team makes when it is deeply concerned about a particular unit.

The Colts don’t seem to view receiver the same way they do offensive or defensive line and other critical positions. That doesn’t mean they are willing to play with just anyone. But because of the confidence coach Frank Reich possesses — he believes he can win with truly elite talent at the position — it’s very possible the Colts will prioritize other areas in Round 1 (to be clear, a receiver pick feels likely in subsequent rounds).

The Colts won’t trade up or down at No. 26
I don’t have a crystal ball, so I’m going out on a shaky limb here.

But, here’s the rationale for this prediction: The Colts, as Ballard said Monday, have a “cluster” of eight players they have targeted for the No. 26 pick. They are extremely confident one or more of them will be available. If they’re right, it seems likely they’re content to let one of their preferred players fall to them and then pounce. Ballard and others around the league have said there are fewer truly elite players at the top of this draft, so unless one of the very best players falls unexpectedly, it’s not a given there is someone they even consider worthy of trading up for.

As for the trade-down possibility, I don’t see it. Here’s why: There’s a growing consensus that the depth of the draft is consistent throughout the second round and into the third round. If that’s true, are you going to be motivated to trade up to No. 26 if you’re a team possessing an early- to mid-second-round pick? The conventional wisdom — obviously without knowing which players will be available — is to stay put and get a player of comparable talent

https://theathletic.com/938751/2019/....co/S7kQZMmmps