With the 15th pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, the Indianapolis Colts sit at the midway point of the first round heading into draft week. However, with rumours swirling that Indy could look to move that pick, don’t be surprised if the Colts are amongst the more active teams on April 25th.
With multiple needs entering the 2024 campaign, and a bevy of top end talent available in this year’s draft class, the Colts could go in a variety of directions. They could look to trade up to select a game changing player on offence such as Brock Bowers, the all-world tight end out of Georgia. Or they could look to stockpile assets and take multiple high-upside players by trading back with a team looking to take a big swing at a player.
Whatever they do, Colts GM Chris Ballard is acutely aware of the narratives currently swirling around his team.
“History, I just go off history. And you know, the more picks you have, the better chance you have to hit. Now, of course, you’re not going to hit on all of them, but it gives you more of a chance to hit,” Ballard said. “Look, we’ve moved up, we moved up for Jonathan Taylor. When we see one that’s in striking distance that we think we can go get, we’ll do it. But it’s got to work out. And then you’ve got to have too, you’ve got to have somebody that wants to make the trade.”
Only 4 teams have less selections than the Colts 7 picks, so Ballard & Co. will need to make the most out of their dart throws in Detroit. There’s a high degree of probability that the first 3 names off the board will be quarterbacks, followed by a 4th QB relatively short order thereafter.
Couple that with the fact that there are 3 wide receivers whom scouts believe are game changers in Marvin Harrison Jr., Malik Nabers, and Rome Odunze, and suddenly half of the selections between the Bears and the Colts in round 1 seem to be accounted for.
What remains to be seen is whether a player whom the Colts covet begins to fall, or whether a team like Atlanta (who currently hold the 8th pick) would consider dropping back to recoup some additional assets. Chicago’s 2nd pick (9th overall) also seems like a viable trade target as well.
On the other hand, if Indianapolis were to trade back in the draft, the Rams, Lions, and Bills are some of the teams who have expressed interest in moving up in recent weeks and could pick up the phone if one of “their guys” is still there at number 15.
“There’s a few positions that’s got some real depth,” Ballard continued. “Like the O-line in this draft is really excellent, and there’s depth throughout. I truly believe you’re gonna get a really good player in those mid-rounds and even some later, because of the depth of the group. And wideouts very similar. Those two position groups stand out, they’re both really good.”
Following a 9-8 campaign which saw rookie QB Anthony Richardson shut down for the year due to injury, Indianapolis is looking to bounce back in a suddenly competitive AFC South division in 2024. The first step in that journey begins Thursday night in Detroit.
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