<p>At some point Saturday, 32 NFL general managers will shake hands with their boss on the alleged job well done.</p>
<p>“We got the players we wanted” will be among the more common declarations with cameras rolling. Also anticipate a steady dose of, “We’re a much better team than we were three days ago” and “Our fans will love this guy.”</p>
<p>In the sake of fan interest, Indianapolis Colts GM Ryan Grigson will lack originality.</p>
<p>He won’t be alone. Anticipate head coach Chuck Pagano and Colts owner Jim Irsay recycling these and similar comments.</p>
<p>Easy as it would be to throw all three beneath the proverbial oncoming bus at the same time, these are men who have mastered the art of eternal optimism.</p>
<p>They won’t tell us what we don’t want to hear because, frankly, we don’t want to hear it.</p>
<p>Grigson hasn’t banked enough goodwill in his four years here to botch whatever contributions he’ll make when the 2016 NFL Draft starts this evening — especially with the Colts coming off an 8-8 season in which they missed the postseason.</p>
<p>Pagano signing a four-year contract extension in January wasn’t the scenario most envisioned. And owner Jim Irsay … good luck hitting that moving target.</p>
<p>Three men with a lot to prove. Individually and collectively.</p>
<p>Before we dive into team needs, are Grigson and Pagano even getting along? Do they talk on a regular basis, eat the occasional meal together and ask about the others’ family with interest that’s sincere, not feigned?</p>
<p>Last we checked, these two were the ultimate oil-water mix. The affable head coach and mercurial GM have had nearly fourth months to find middle ground with Irsay serving as the immaculately-tailored go-between.</p>
<p>Hopefully, what takes place these next three days at the Colts headquarters doesn’t give new meaning to the term “war room.”</p>
<p>While the Colts are in dire need of a difference-making pass rusher on defense, they desperately need to replenish the talent pool on the offensive line.</p>
<p>Otherwise, get used to quarterback Andrew Luck missing as many games as he plays and showing flashes of Anthony Castonzo-like escapability out of the pocket by the time he’s 30.</p>
<p>In four seasons, Luck has absorbed more hits than most pro quarterbacks do in a career. Hard hits. In some cases, painful, potentially career-altering hits (think rookie season at home against Green Bay).</p>
<p>Indy needs to focus on keeping its franchise player upright. Surround him with fun toys to throw the football to — throat clear: “Phillip Dorsett” — in later drafts because it’s not necessary now.</p>
<p>Most mock drafts show Indianapolis addressing offensive line issues in tonight’s first round and then focusing on drafting a rushing end in Rounds 2-3 on Friday.</p>
<p>Barring a trade, I would argue the Colts need to use each of their top three picks — Nos. 18, 48 and 82 — on offensive linemen. This would make up for the years in which the franchise fell embarrassingly short of addressing this need.</p>
<p>If Indy has to spend the next couple seasons winning games and clinching division titles by producing point totals in the 30s and 40s, so be it.</p>
<p>It’s not like it hasn’t followed this philosophy before.</p>