Chris Ballard hasn’t made any “Wow, they’re going to make the Super Bowl Now” type of moves this offseason. Yet, the Indianapolis Colts general manager could still win NFL Executive of the Year this upcoming season.
Perhaps Nick Caserio is currently one of the favorites to win the award. The Houston Texans GM has had a stellar offseason thus far. He acquired pieces like Stefon Diggs, Danielle Hunter, and Joe Mixon. Add that trio to C.J. Stroud and Nico Collins, and Houston has the talent to win a Super Bowl.
Sure, the Texans, one of the Colts’ AFC South rivals, look great on paper. But their offseason moves certainly aren’t guaranteed to pay off.
Ballard didn’t acquire a four-time Pro Bowl receiver like Diggs or a 16.5-sack pass rusher like Hunter. However, if the Colts have a big-time 2024 season, he’ll receive a lot of well-deserved recognition.
Why Chris Ballard of the Colts Could Win Executive of the Year
Outstanding Job in Free Agency
This year, Chris Ballard went the “run it back” route in free agency. Although Gardner Minshew and Zack Moss left, he re-signed key free agents like Michael Pittman Jr., Grover Stewart, Kenny Moore II, and Julian Blackmon. Pittman was possibly the Colts’ MVP last season, finishing with 109 receptions for 1,152 yards and four touchdowns. Stewart is easily one of the league’s top run-stoppers. The Colts’ defense missed him badly in 2023 during his six-game suspension. Ballard also gave contract extensions to DeForest Buckner and Zaire Franklin, two of the team’s best defenders.
Ballard didn’t just retain his own free agents. He also made a couple of outside free-agent signings, landing Joe Flacco and Raekwon Davis. Flacco is one of the league’s best backup quarterbacks. The former Super Bowl MVP will replace Minshew and play behind starter Anthony Richardson. Meanwhile, Davis will provide valuable depth to the Colts’ defensive line.
Phenomenal 2024 Draft
Many Colts fans wanted the team to trade up on draft night. There were plenty of rumors that Marvin Harrison Jr. or Brock Bowers might be landing in Indy. However, a first-round trade-up never materialized.
Instead, Chris Ballard used the 15th overall pick on Laiatu Latu. The defensive end out of UCLA should immediately help the Colts’ pass defense. He has the potential to become the franchise’s best edge rusher since the days of Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis. Yes, he’s that good.
Heading into the draft, the Colts needed a dynamic receiver. Ballard came through, selecting Adonai Mitchell in the second round (52nd overall pick). The former Texas Longhorn could prove to be one of the biggest steals of the 2024 NFL Draft. Mitchell should team with Pittman, Josh Downs, and Alec Pierce to give Indianapolis an outstanding receiving corps this year.
Ballard also drafted quality players like offensive linemen Matt Goncalves and Tanor Bortolini, as well as return specialist/wide receiver Anthony Gould. Ballard simply nailed the draft this year, which could help the Colts reach the playoffs for the first time since 2020. If so, an Executive of the Year award could be in store.
Main Image: Kirby Lee – USA Today Sports
