The Indianapolis Colts are preparing for a crucial offseason in which they will look to get back on track following a disappointing end to the 2021 season.
One of their biggest decisions of the offseason comes with the future of quarterback Carson Wentz. The situation is murky at best right now and while there is an argument for Wentz staying, there is an equal argument for the Colts wanting to part ways as soon as this offseason.
While we have no idea what will actually happen, Anthony Treash of Pro Football Focus predicts the Colts will trade up for quarterback Sam Howell in the 2022 NFL draft.
SAM HOWELL: INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (TRADE UP INTO ROUND 1/2)
It’s do-or-die time for the Indianapolis Colts. They can either continue to place all of their chips into Carson Wentz’s bucket or take a shot on a rookie quarterback. The latter is the best bet to make, considering Wentz earned a middling 67.9 passing grade and played a major part in the Colts missing the postseason. Obtaining a rookie passer capable of becoming a starting quarterback in the NFL will require a trade-up, as they don’t pick until 47th overall in the 2022 NFL Draft. North Carolina’s Sam Howell is one to watch if they decide to go with a signal-caller.
Howell has elite arm talent and knows how to make plays with his legs when needed. His 89 deep completions since 2019 were seven more than any other quarterback in the FBS. Howell’s offense became one-dimensional in 2021 after losing a bevy of skill position weapons to the NFL in the prior offseason, requiring him to run more than expected. He isn’t an elite athlete like Malik Willis, but Howell still managed to rank second at the position nationally in explosive runs of 10 or more yards (45). The Tar Heel product may try to do too much at times and is going to have a big learning curve going from his college RPO offense to an NFL one, but there is no denying his impressive tools.
Many analysts have pegged the Colts as a team that will draft a quarterback when the end of April arrives. Regardless of whether they believe Wentz will be on the roster, the Colts have been linked to the quarterback market this offseason by several outlets.
Trading up for a player like Howell won’t be easy considering the lack of draft capital the Colts are already dealing with. They would have to be absolutely positive that Howell (or another quarterback) is the franchise player for the next decade.
The offseason is still very young and hopefully, we’ll get more information on how the Colts feel one way or another about the quarterback position moving forward.
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