The Indianapolis Colts have once again flown under the radar this offseason.
Indianapolis Colts: A Traditionally Conservative Franchise
Under current general manager, Chris Ballard, the Colts have utilized a “sceptical” approach to potential incoming free agents from other teams, preferring to draft and subsequently pay stars in house, and only spend sparingly for particular positions and specific needs,
In 2024, the Colts bought in just 2 external players: nose tackle, Raekwon Davis; and veteran Joe Flacco to backup and mentor 2nd year QB, Anthony Richardson.
However, that’s not to say the Colts cannot, and have not been aggressive in the past under this regime: In 2020, the team gave up the 13th overall pick to the San Francisco 49ers in exchange for DeForest Buckner, a trade that ultimately worked out in the Colts’ favor, due to the disappointing career, so far, of the Javon Kinlaw, whom the Niners selected with the acquired pick.
Indianapolis could be in the market to add another receiver early on in the draft, when they make their first selection at the 15th overall pick. Yet, it seems they could make a bid to select even higher, based on some of the visitation news coming from NFL insider Ian Rapoport.
Adding Indy…. https://t.co/PoY9WEajDG
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 10, 2024
Could The Indianapolis Colts Look To Trade Up Into The Draft For Malik Nabers?
Although the Colts re-signed wideout Michael Pittman Jr. to a 3 year, $71 million deal just prior to the start of the legal tampering period in mid March, there are still questions as to whether he is a bona fide #1 receiver in the National Football League. And, beyond Pittman, the strength of the unit as a whole, with only rookie slot standout, Josh Downs, emerging as the only reliable option beyond him.
As such, it could make sense that, in one of the best receiver classes in the past decade, that Indianapolis may decide to go in that direction. Having fixed their offensive line last season, Chris Ballard and head coach, Shane Steichen, may decided that setting the team up with weapons is the best course of action for a team very much tied to the success of promising, yet still raw quarterback, Anthony Richardson.
What many would not have anticipated would be a hefty forward move to attempt to select on the premium players in the 2024 NFL draft, Malik Nabers, who some general managers across the league consider to be the best receiver in this upcoming class.
Malik Nabers, who many believe will go at #6 to the New York Giants, is not expected to last outside of the top 10 of the NFL Draft, and could even go within the first 5 picks. So, in order to be in a position to select him, Indianapolis would likely need to give up a premium pick in 2024 or 2025 to move up to acquire his services.
This would be the first time that Ballard has moved up in the 1st round of the NFL draft, preferring normally to stand pat or trade down, yet for the right player, at a time when the Colts will want to be aggressive to put in place the best team possible for their young QB to succeed, anything is possible.
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