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: