Could the Indianapolis Colts truly consider trading back from the No. 4 overall pick when they need to find their franchise quarterback?
Seems like a facetious thing to say out loud, but we have all seen crazy things happen during the NFL draft throughout the years. Before I dive into the teams they could potentially make a deal with, we first need to understand why they would make this move in the first place.
There are a number of reasons that could be on Chris Ballard’s mind about getting outside of the top five picks.
One could be that he isn’t sold on the quarterback(s) that could be available when they’re on the clock and that they aren’t worthy of a top-five pick. He could still think they are a first-round caliber prospect but would be more comfortable if he can land them later in the first night of the draft.
Of course, that would mean he wouldn’t want to drop back too far where other potential QB-needy teams end up being ahead of them after the trade.
Or the front office may not be entirely sold on Anthony Richardson and Will Levis. If they are the only options available in this hypothetical, then they could eye a team in a trade that has those prospects on their radar so he can make a deal to pick up more draft capital and take the best player available on their board when they are on the clock.
That does beg to question, then why not draft the best player available over a quarterback at No. 4? Well, most would believe the players available would be Will Anderson, Jalen Carter, and Tyree Wilson. Those prospects just happen to play positions that the Colts are likely happy with what they currently have on the roster.
So if they can find a team that would want one of those prospects then they can take a little bit of a slide on the board then either do land a quarterback if they still continue to drop on draft night, or take a cornerback like Devon Witherspoon or Christian Gonzalez, prospects at arguably the biggest need on the roster.
There’s also the slim chance Ballard simply gets an offer he can’t refuse from a team willing to overpay in a massive way to move up in the order.
I am of the belief that Indianapolis ends up taking a quarterback at No. 4—or at No. 3 in a trade-up with the Arizona Cardinals.
But if Ballard would end up deciding to trade back and get some draft capital, here are some teams that they could end up partnering with on a deal:
1
Detroit Lions
Current draft slot: No. 6 overall
The Lions are a team that the Colts have to keep in mind as one that could end up selecting a quarterback if they trade back and end up behind them, but what if Detroit has its sights on one of the defensive prospects and they want to ensure they can get him by getting ahead of the Seattle Seahawks?
Indianapolis would only have to slide two spots while picking up capital and bet on one of the top four quarterbacks that will still be available at the sixth spot. Seattle is a team they also can’t sleep on that could potentially take a quarterback if one falls to them.
2
Las Vegas Raiders
Current draft slot: No. 7 overall
The Raiders are among the teams in the top 10 that the Colts have to weigh in the factor that they could end up taking a quarterback. There could be a couple of reasons why these two franchises could make a deal. Indianapolis gets the understanding that Las Vegas doesn’t want a quarterback at four but one of the top defensive prospects.
Or, as I alluded to earlier, Indy isn’t sold on any of the available quarterbacks at four but Vegas is so they end up swapping picks while getting that extra capital.
3
Atlanta Falcons
Current draft slot: No. 8 overall
The Falcons have been adamant this offseason that they want to see what they have in second-year quarterback Desmond Ridder. If they are true to their word then that can give some comfort for the Colts to make a deal with them. Atlanta’s defense could use one of the upper-echelon defensive prospects for their defensive line and a trade with Indianapolis can make sure they land one of them.
4
Philadelphia Eagles
Current draft slot: No. 10 overall
The Eagles are in an interesting spot having a top-10 selection after making it to the Super Bowl. While they can just wait to see who the best player available is on the clock and take whichever that prospect is. They also may want to take advantage of the situation by being this close to the top five with the roster they have. This could allow them to be aggressive in getting to land one of the top defensive players in this class.
Fletcher Cox and Brandon Graham are back on one-year deals but with their age, retirement is around the corner so Philadelphia could use some more youth in their defensive front. Howie Roseman has proof that he is willing to make a deal to get a player he wants. If he has one in this class, then he could make a surprise as he did in last year’s first round when he acquired A.J. Brown.
The two general managers have a history of working with each other on trades and there is the Shane Steichen connection so this one does make some sense.
