There are several teams looking to make an addition to the quarterback position including the Indianapolis Colts, who could be in the market to add a rookie in the 2020 NFL draft.
While many believe the Colts absolutely must to add a quarterback in this year’s draft, general manager Chris Ballard is stressing the need to stay true to their evaluation of the position in order to stay away from reaching and failing to find the right prospect.
“It has good depth at all levels. We all know that that position usually gets pushed up, but I’ve talked about this before, you’ve got to be true to your evaluation,” said Ballard at the NFL combine. “You’ve got to be true to your evaluation. I think more mistakes are made when you push that position up and he doesn’t deserve – all of a sudden the expectations and everything else builds up on that kid.”
There are a few prospects the Colts could try to target with their first-round pick. They hold the No. 13 selection so they have to wait on the teams ahead of them before they can make their moves.
Joe Burrow will be the No. 1 pick as of now, and the likelihood of Tua Tagovailoa falling past the No. 5 pick is extremely thin. That leaves the Colts likely looking at Justin Herbert and Jordan Love in the first round. Jacob Eason may have entered the conversation as well, but the risk with him is much higher.
Herbert and Love could very well be gone by the time the Colts are on the clock at No. 13. Either one would be a solid selection for Indy to work under Frank Reich for a year to develop their footwork and consistency.
Being aware of the elevated expectations for the position is something the Colts must sift through when making their draft board.
“I think I said this at the end of the year, it is one of the hardest positions to play in sports,” said Ballard. “Just one, from the transition from college football to the NFL – what we are asking them to do and then doing it against the best in the world. But then the expectations and the pressure and all of the things that come along with playing quarterback.”
The Colts are likely to address the quarterback position in some capacity this offseason and while the hope is they can do so in the first round with one of the top prospects, they aren’t going to rush themselves in their evaluation of the most important position in the game.