Niner Noise
FanSided

The biggest question facing each NFL team in 2017

By Peter Panacy

Mar 2, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch speaks to the media during the 2017 combine at Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 2, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch speaks to the media during the 2017 combine at Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 24, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck (12) is sacked by Oakland Raiders defensive end Jihad Ward (95) and strong safety T.J. Carrie (38) during a NFL football game at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum. The Raiders defeated the Colts 33-25. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 24, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck (12) is sacked by Oakland Raiders defensive end Jihad Ward (95) and strong safety T.J. Carrie (38) during a NFL football game at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum. The Raiders defeated the Colts 33-25. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

Indianapolis Colts

How much will the Colts jeopardize Andrew Luck’s future?

The Indianapolis Colts had two pressing needs this offseason — get younger and better on defense as well as finding a way to upgrade a porous offensive line.

Credit the Colts for addressing the former. Three of their first four NFL Draft picks focused on defense, and safety Malik Hooker should be an impact player right away.

Yet the only O-line addition via the draft was former USC guard Zach Banner in Round 4. That might help, but I wasn’t overly sold on Banner heading into the draft anyway. It’s not like he’s a notable improvement over what’s currently there, and that’s not much.

Quarterback Andrew Luck suffered 41 sacks last year, second most in the NFL, so it’s clear how big a problem this is.

Worse yet, Luck’s nagging shoulder injury and subsequent rehab puts a serious question mark for his ability to be ready by training camp.

Even if he is healthy, just imagine the pressure Luck will face with that O-line this season.

It doesn’t look good, which isn’t promising for the team’s No. 1 investment.