Colts GM Ballard Talks Anthony Richardson, Trading Down and 2024 NFL Draft Strategy

Scott Polacek@@ScottPolacekFeatured Columnist IVApril 21, 2024

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Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard is in a position where he can sit back and see how the start of Thursday’s NFL draft unfolds if he chooses to with the No. 15 overall pick.

“I think it would depend,” Ballard said when discussing the possibility of trading up to draft someone, per Joel A. Erickson of the Indianapolis Star. “There would have to be somebody within striking distance that we felt was really unique and a difference-maker for us.”

Erickson noted the Colts need a pass-catcher, cornerback and edge rusher, among other things, and pointed out they have first-round grades on approximately 19 to 21 players. Since they see so many players as first-rounders, they may also trade back to accumulate picks if there are still enough available by the time No. 15 rolls around.

“I just go off history,” Ballard said. “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.”

Then there is the reality of the roster, which is being constructed around a young quarterback with plenty of potential in Anthony Richardson. Even though they don’t necessarily need offensive linemen, surrounding a playmaker like Richardson with depth along the offensive front and at wide receiver would be a sound strategy.

“The o-line in this draft is really excellent, and there’s depth throughout,” Ballard said. “I truly believe you’re going to get a really good player in those middle rounds, and even some later, because of the depth of the group. Wideout is very similar, it is excellent.”

He added that, “when you’ve got a young quarterback, you’ve got to protect him. You want to continue to add playmakers around him.”

NFL @NFLANTHONY RICHARDSON TAKES IT HIMSELF.

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Richardson played just four games as a rookie because of injury, although Indianapolis was able to remain in the playoff race and finish 9-8 thanks to strong play from backup Gardner Minshew II.

Minshew is now on the Las Vegas Raiders, so keeping Richardson healthy is even more important.

Indianapolis is also looking to go from a team that hovered around .500 to one that is a serious threat in the AFC playoff picture. Richardson reaching his potential is the most important part of that, but it needs more consistency across the board at various positions. That is especially the case if the Houston Texans take a jump in C.J. Stroud’s second season.

Building that type of consistent and deep roster starts with Thursday’s draft, and Ballard seems ready for a number of possibilities.