As the offseason gets underway, there is expected to be plenty of action. Though the Indianapolis Colts aren’t one for big moves, a talented player at a position of need has become available in the form of veteran cornerback Darius Slay.
This move would come in the form of a trade as the Detriot Lions are looking to get Slay’s contract off the books in the final year of his contract. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported the new team would take on Slay’s financial responsibilities while also constructing a future deal for the 29-year-old.
Lions have spoken with multiple teams about a potential trade for Pro Bowl CB Darius Slay, per sources. Any team that trades for Slay would have to compensate Detroit and Slay with a new deal. Other teams believe Slay will be traded this off-season, but Lions adamant on value.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 17, 2020
The Colts have the resources to pull this trade off. They have three picks in the top-50 (Nos. 13, 34 and 44) and boatloads of salary cap space to make the contract feasible.
Slay has been a strong-to-elite boundary cornerback over the last few seasons. He was an All-Pro in 2017 when led the NFL in interceptions and while he hasn’t played to those standards since then, he has still been an above-average cornerback. That’s something the Colts could use.
Now, we know this trade is unlikely to happen for the Colts. General manager Chris Ballard doesn’t like to give away draft picks and even though Slay could solidify a starting position at an area of need for roughly two or three more years, Ballard also doesn’t like to dish out huge contracts.
The latter becomes even more true when considering Slay didn’t come up through the locker room the Colts currently have. That’s not to say Slay wouldn’t be a good fit in the locker room, but it’s more of a testament to how Ballard views big contracts.
Though it isn’t clear exactly what the Colts would have to give up, it would likely come in the form of a draft pick and potentially another player. Giving up the Nos. 13 or 34 picks in the draft are simply too high in value. But the No. 44 would might be able to work in addition to another piece.
Ballard wouldn’t give up two draft picks for Slay but maybe another piece like Pierre Desir could be part of it, as proposed by Zach Hicks of Stampede Blue.
Pick 44 and Pierre Desir for him?
Lions would get a mid second rounder and starting caliber corner for a team that needs to win now.
(I know this won’t happen but this is what I’d offer) https://t.co/8LQOigz4EV
— Zach Hicks (@ZachHicks2) February 17, 2020
Maybe the Colts could entice the Lions with a younger player instead like Quincy Wilson, whose time with the Colts is seemingly coming to an end.
The Colts are talented enough roster-wise to compete even without Slay but adding him to the defense would make the unit incredibly stronger. It would also allow the Colts to focus elsewhere in the draft while possibly picking up a high-upside cornerback later.
The compensation and subsequent contract after 2020 is likely going to keep the Colts from making a deal.
But the Colts would be able to make a deal without giving up a whole lot right away while also getting an above-average cornerback for the next few years.
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