With less than a week until the start of the 2021 NFL draft, the Indianapolis Colts are a team expected to move down from their current spot at No. 21 overall.
One team that is considered a favorite to potentially move up to that spot for a player is the New Orleans Saints, who currently hold the No. 28 overall pick in the first round.
ESPN’s Bill Barnwell proposed a potential trade between the two teams that would net the Colts a very strong return in exchange for the No. 21 overall pick.
21. Indianapolis Colts
Colts get: 1-28, 3-98, 3-105
New Orleans Saints get: 1-21The Colts need a left tackle to replace Anthony Castonzo. After trading their first-round pick last year for DeForest Buckner and then sending their third-rounder with either a first- or second-round pick to the Eagles to acquire Carson Wentz, though, they also need to replenish their draft capital.
Colts general manager Chris Ballard typically prefers to grab extra picks, and moving down here would net his team two compensatory selections in the third round. The Saints are in the market for help at cornerback and receiver, two positions the Titans (No. 22) and Jets (No. 23) could also target before them.
Call this a win for the Colts. According to the trade value chart, which isn’t necessarily perfect, the value of the No. 21 overall pick is 261. The net value of the three picks the Colts would receive in this mock trade is 286. That would be a great haul for Indy.
We took a look at some potential trade partners for the Colts as well as the history of trading the No. 21 overall pick.
They could still move get a player they feel is worthy of a first-round pick while adding two extra third-rounders to work with. Ballard would be salivating at this trade.
It will be interesting to see what kind of deal the Colts will get if they do wind up trading down from No. 21, but this would be close to the ideal scenario.
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