When Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard takes the podium next at the NFL Combine, he will say something about the team looking into every situation ahead of the 2020 NFL Draft. Does that include trading up for a quarterback?
While it is unlikely the Colts will move up from their No. 13 overall pick, Bill Barnwell of ESPN believes they should consider trading up for Alabama’s Tua Tagovailoa, who is among the top quarterbacks in the draft.
If the Colts feel optimistic about the state of Tagovailoa’s hip, they can probably piece together enough to move up for the No. 3 pick in a deal with the Lions. They could offer the 13th, 34th and 44th selections as the bulk of a package to move up. They also could package the 44th selection with their 2021 first-rounder.
Indy has generally been a patient team and amassed extra draft picks under general manager Chris Ballard, but young quarterbacks on rookie deals are franchise-altering propositions. Even if he’s not ready to play by the start of the 2020 season, a healthy Tagovailoa could be the ultimate building block for Indianapolis.
It certainly is an interesting proposal and given that the Miami Dolphins (No. 5) are also likely to target Tagovailoa in a potential trade up, the Colts would have to make it a sweet deal.
Our own Sam Sinclair took a look at what it might take for the Colts to trade into the top-five picks of the draft.
Ballard isn’t the type of general manager to give away his picks without heavily considering it first. If the Colts do it, it’s something they have been looking at for a long time.
There is no denying the Colts need a quarterback. Jacoby Brissett isn’t the long-term answer and getting a talent like Tagovailoa would give the Colts chance at having another franchise quarterback.
Though it is highly unlikely to happen, the move is something the Colts should at least consider as the draft approaches.
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