With the NFL combine behind us, there will be even more speculation as to who the Indianapolis Colts will select in the first round of the 2023 NFL draft.
That, along with whether they will be the ones to trade up to No. 1, are the two biggest questions the Colts face this offseason. The fact of the matter is we may not know until it happens.
In the latest mock draft from Dane Brugler of The Athletic following the combine, the Colts traded up to No. 1 for Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud.
Projected trade: Nos. 4 and 35 and a 2024 first-round pick to Chicago for No. 1
The speculation during combine week wasn’t about whether or not the Colts will draft a quarterback, it was: Which QB they will take? And how much will it cost?
The members of the triumvirate in charge of that decision each brings a differing perspective. Shane Steichen is entering his first draft as a head coach, Chris Ballard knows this could be his final draft as general manager if the wrong pick is made, and owner Jim Irsay is the wild card (as usual). Stroud might be the quarterback that’s the most comfortable choice for each person there. He is ready to compete for the starting job from Day 1 and his natural accuracy gives him a high floor as an NFL passer.
Obviously, trading up to No. 1 is an expensive move. But if the Colts stay at No. 4, they might find themselves with only their second- or even third-best quarterback option available. That isn’t good enough for a franchise that has been compromising at the position since Andrew Luck retired.
That’s an expensive price for the Colts to pay to move up to No. 1 overall but a bit cheaper than what the reported asking price is for the Bears. If the Colts want to move up, their first and second-round picks are gone. The question will be whether they can avoid parting ways with their 2024 first.
Stroud improved his stock at the combine both in the interviews and on the field. He showed plenty of confidence during his press conference and proved he’s still the smoothest and most accurate passer in this draft class.
Moving up to get Stroud at No. 1 overall and then not picking again until No. 79 would be tough for general manager Chris Ballard, but it would signal they are completely convinced of who they want leading the franchise.
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