Mike Wells, ESPN Staff Writer 9y

Indianapolis Colts are No. 16 in NFL Future Power Rankings

INDIANAPOLIS -- ESPN.com released its NFL Future Power Rankings Insider on Tuesday.

You would think the Indianapolis Colts would be ranked high because they have franchise quarterback Andrew Luck on the roster, right?

Wrong.

The Colts did make a four-spot jump from last year, but they’re still only ranked 16th in the league when it comes to future rankings for the next three seasons. There are seven other teams in the AFC ranked higher than the Colts.

Why?

The age factor.

The Colts could have 10 players over the age of 30 starting for them next season. That’s yet another indication they’re going all in to win a Super Bowl. Indianapolis is having to fill holes on its roster with players it didn’t necessarily take in the draft.

Everybody knows about the Colts' 2012 draft class, which also featured tight ends Dwayne Allen and Coby Fleener and receiver T.Y. Hilton to go with Luck. The Colts did well in 2014 despite not having a first-round pick with players like Donte Moncrief, Jonathan Newsome and Jack Mewhort. The same can’t be said about the 2013 draft class for the Colts.

Bjoern Werner isn’t an NFL rush linebacker. Hugh Thornton has been inconsistent. Khaled Holmes has a difficult time staying healthy. Montori Hughes is still trying to beat out Josh Chapman at defensive tackle. And there’s no need to talk about the rest of that year’s draft class.

The Colts, though, have an opportunity to win every week with Luck on the field, and they’ll have a chance to move up in the Future Power Rankings as long as their other young players like Hilton, Mewhort, Phillip Dorsett and others continue to improve.

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