The Indianapolis Colts had the opportunity to select a quarterback on Day 2 of the 2022 NFL draft several times but opted instead to focus on other positions of need.
After Kenny Pickett was the only quarterback selected in the first round, some thought an early run at the position would happen to begin Day 2. It didn’t. The quarterbacks kept falling. And falling. And falling.
The Colts had their pick of the litter at No. 42 overall—their first selection of the draft. Malik Willis. Desmond Ridder. Sam Howell. They decided to trade back with the Minnesota Vikings. The same crop was available at No. 53 overall—the Colts’ new spot after the trade.
Instead of grabbing a potential quarterback of the future, the Colts went with wide receiver Alec Pierce out of Cincinnati. Indy wound up making four total selections in the draft. The first three picks were made with the entire quarterback class available (sans Pickett).
“We talked about it. We talked about it. At the end of the day, it just didn’t work,” Ballard told the media following Day 2 of the draft.
It became very clear as Day 2 progressed that the NFL viewed this class very different than the media did. While there is truth to the quarterback position getting pushed up every year simply due to its value, the league as a whole opted against taking on those risks.
Even teams with clear needs and question marks at the quarterback position like the Seattle Seahawks, Atlanta Falcons and Detroit Lions targeted other positions over Willis and Ridder.
Going into the final day of the draft, only three quarterbacks were taken. The Falcons wound up taking Ridder in the third round at No. 74 overall, one pick after the Colts took tight end Jelani Woods.
The Tennessee Titans traded up to select Willis at No. 86 overall but given the slide, who knows how far he would have fallen had it not been for Tennessee.
While adding a future quarterback is certainly in the plans for the Colts at some point, the addition of Matt Ryan this offseason allows them to wait. They don’t have to force the pick simply to do so. Ryan gives them the best chance to compete right now and while the upside of Willis and Ridder is intriguing, the risk may not have been worth it.
Ballard is eventually going to have to make a move for a potential franchise quarterback. It has to happen at some point. But they are high on what Ryan can do for them in a wide-open division, and they added some incredible weapons for him to work with on Day 2 of the draft.
“I just think they got to have a unique trait to play in this league. I do. I think it just gives you a chance to – the odds of the hit is going to be higher,” said Ballard.
So while some fans may be disappointed they didn’t take a shot on Willis or Ridder, it’s clear they valued the addition of unique talents like Alec Pierce and Jelani Woods to help the team win now.
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