IFR Analysis: As often is the case with the Colts, the first-round selection in the 2010 NFL Draft surprised many, but made perfect sense when examined closely. The Colts clearly had reached a point where finding a pass-rusher to complement Freeney and Mathis was a priority, and with Polian not believing the offensive tackle position was as deep as many analysts believed, Hughes fell to the Colts and fit the Colts’ draft philosophy. What that means is he was a productive player – 26.5 sacks over the last two years – who has played well against big-time competition. The Colts in recent seasons have been a dominant defense – particularly in late-game situations – when Freeney and Mathis were healthy and playing at a high level, but they have struggled when either of those plaeyrs has been limited or out with injuries. They tried to address third pass rusher two years ago, selecting Marcus Howard from Georgia with a fifth-round selection, but he lacked the drive to turn the corner in the pass rush effectively at the professional level. This year, Polian felt the time for trying to find “sleeper” pass rushers” was past, investing a first-round selection in the position for the first time since selecting Freeney No. 11 overall in 2002.
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