Currently, the Indianapolis Colts own the 15th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Would it be wise to trade back and collect draft capital? Or should they just keep the pick and select the best player available?
Chris Ballard has served as the Colts general manager since 2017, overseeing the team’s last seven drafts. As every Indianapolis fan knows, he loves draft trades.
Ballard has made 18 draft-day deals, eleven of which have been trade downs. A perfect example is back in 2019 when Indy sent the 26th overall pick to the Washington Commanders for the 46th overall pick and a 2020 second-rounder. Ballard could be back at it again this year, trading down from No. 15 and adding an extra pick or two.
Should The Indianapolis Colts Trade Back in the 2024 NFL Draft?
Trading Back Would Add More Depth
Like every NFL team, the Colts have a lot of holes to fill. Free agency and trades don’t complete the roster. Teams must also utilize the draft.
If Ballard does go the “trade back” route, perhaps he could strike a deal with the Arizona Cardinals. Maybe they would accept the Colts No. 15 pick in exchange for the 27th and 35th overall selections.
At 27, Indianapolis could draft a cornerback like Alabama’s Kool-Aid McKinstry. The Colts re-signed Kenny Moore II this off-season and JuJu Brents was great as a rookie when healthy. Yet, they could use another corner, making a playmaker like McKinstry an ideal pick.
The 35th pick would give the Colts a second second-rounder. That selection could get them a talented receiver like Florida State’s Keon Coleman.
Due to his quickness and good ball skills, Coleman would give quarterback Anthony Richardson an explosive weapon to throw to. He’d team with Michael Pittman Jr., Josh Downs, and Alec Pierce, to help provide Indianapolis with a fascinating wide receiver room in 2024.
Keeping the 15th Pick Makes the Most Sense
Trading back and collecting more draft capital isn’t a bad thing. The Colts could certainly improve by making such a deal.
Trading up to land Marvin Harrison Jr. could make the team much better as well. The Ohio State star is considered the top wide receiver prospect in this year’s draft. However, the Colts would likely have to trade up to No. 4 to get Harrison. Moving up eleven spots means they’d have to give up way too much, though.
Staying put at No. 15 is what the team needs to do. With the pick, they should select Georgia tight end Brock Bowers if he’s still available. If Bowers is gone by then, the Colts should take either a wide receiver like LSU’s Brian Thomas Jr. or a cornerback like Toledo’s Quinyon Mitchell.
Sure, trading back would add more players to the roster. Yet, quality is usually better than quantity. Whoever the Colts draft at No. 15 will have more potential than someone who’s a late-first-round pick or a second-rounder.
It’ll be interesting to see what moves Ballard makes on draft weekend. Of course, it won’t shock anyone if he trades down from the 15th pick.
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