INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Arizona State center Mike Pollak was caught off-guard when the Indianapolis Colts picked him in Saturday's NFL draft.

With a 6-foot-3, 293-pound frame and a pedigree as one of the nation's top centers, Pollak figured he would land with a team that needed help right in the middle of the offensive line.

Instead, the Colts wanted their top draft pick to help fill their void at right guard.

"This is something that just really shocked me," Pollak said after being taken in the second round. "I figured I'd be drafted more as a center and with such a great center in Jeff Saturday already there. But they brought me in more as a guard, and I'm OK with that."

He'll have to be.

Indy needed depth and versatility along the offensive line after losing starter Jake Scott in free agency during the offseason. Scott signed with AFC South rival Tennessee and the competition to replace Scott was expected to come down to veterans Charlie Johnson and Dylan Gandy. Now, the rookie, chosen with the 59th pick overall, finds himself surprisingly in the mix, too.

The selection also came as a surprise to many in Indy because the Colts typically wait until the second day of draft weekend to pick an offensive linemen. Conventional wisdom had suggested the Colts might take a defensive lineman, a linebacker or even a tight end if some of the best players were still around.

But with Texas A&M tight end Martellus Bennett, Penn State linebacker Dan Connor and others still available, Bill Polian bucked the trend by making Pollak the first interior lineman — guard or center — selected this high since Eric Mahlum was taken with the 32nd pick in 1994.

"We felt like the need intersected with the talent line," Polian said. "We lost Jake in free agency and so this gives us a player that we believe can step in and be a quality player for us next year."

Pollak will start his NFL career at guard, the same spot he played during his sophomore season with the Sun Devils because the Colts have no glaring need at center. Saturday, a three-time Pro Bowler, is entrenched as the starter at that position.

What Pollak does give the Colts, however, is depth and versatility along an offensive line that needs both.

His experience at center makes him a suitable backup for now and could possibly make him the eventual successor to Saturday, who will celebrate his 33rd birthday in June. Polian said Saturday's age and contract status was not a factor in the choice.

Perhaps most important is this: Pollak is a good fit because most Colts linemen are required to play more than one position. Scott had to switch positions in a couple of games last season when Indy was devastated by injuries.

"He's a lot like Jake Scott, a lot like (guard) Ryan Lilja and a lot like a lot of guys we've had success with in the past," coach Tony Dungy said. "So we think we can slide him over. He was a guy we hoped would be there."

Indy's selection ended an arduous 5½-hour waiting game.

While other teams wheeled-and-dealed throughout the draft, the Colts, who had no first-round pick, were relegated primarily to observing the draft — something that will not be the case Sunday when they make their final eight picks.

Indy traded its first-round pick to San Francisco last year so it could move up in the second round and take left tackle Tony Ugoh.

"We'd already started with Tony Ugoh as a first-rounder, and we don't usually add offensive linemen till the second day," Dungy said. "But this was something we felt we needed to do."

Pollak is eager to get to Indianapolis, where he now finds himself among a star-studded group of names and Pro Bowlers. He'll be asked to give two-time league MVP Peyton Manning enough time to find his two Pro Bowl receivers, Marvin Harrison and Reggie Wayne, and open holes for Pro Bowl running back Joseph Addai.

It's an unexpected challenge Pollak relishes.

"I'm so excited right now, so pumped to be a Colt," he said. "It's a great team. Coach said they would give me an opportunity to respond, and that's what I'm looking to do — come in and compete."

Pollak started 36 games at Arizona State and was a finalist for both the Outland Trophy and Lombardi Award as well as the Rimington Trophy, which is given to the nation's best center.

The Colts are hoping he'll be just as successful at his new position this fall.

"He could play center if he had to, but we don't see that as an issue," Polian said. "He's going to go to guard and we'll see how he does at guard. That's where he's going to start and, hopefully, play a good bit there."