The Indianapolis Colts saved their season with a 27-24 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, but it might not be enough to prevent an E.J. Speed trade. Selected in the fifth round of the 2019 NFL Draft, the Tarleton State product began his career primarily working on special teams. However, Speed eventually worked his way into the starting lineup and was one of the more reliable defenders on the 2023 Indianapolis Colts. Appearing in 16 games while making 11 starts, Speed finished the season with one sack, 102 tackles, 12 tackles-for-loss, and two quarterback hits.
Speed is still starting for the Colts, but his time with the organization could be coming to an end. Now playing in the final year of his contract, ESPN’s Dan Graziano says that E.J. Speed is “a name to watch” in trade conversations. The Colts Week 4 win likely kept him on the team for a while, but if Indianapolis ends up selling at the deadline, look for the Baltimore Ravens and Los Angeles Chargers to try and get him.
Ravens, Chargers Could Pursue An E.J. Speed Trade
The Baltimore Ravens had the NFL’s best linebacker duo in Roquan Smith and former first-round pick Patrick Queen. However, Queen joined the Steelers in the offseason and the Ravens didn’t have the financial resources to add a high-level replacement. Roquan Smith is still amazing, but the Ravens defense is built around having multiple game-changing linebackers. This team is still good, but they need to pull off an E.J. Speed trade if they want to reach their ceiling.
With offenses across the league struggling to match the production of years past, it’s now more important than ever to have a good defense. E.J. Speed might not be the second coming of Ray Lewis, but the trade candidate would be a valuable addition to a defense that could use more playmakers in the front seven. Trenton Simpson is better off in a reserve role, and adding Speed to the mix should allow the linebackers to fall into their optimal roles in a defense that should be one of the league’s best.
Old-School Chargers
The Los Angeles Chargers dropped to 2-2 largely because they don’t have the offensive pieces to close out a game, but that won’t change how Jim Harbaugh runs a team. The former Michigan head coach is as old school as it gets, believing in the power of strong defense and the run game. While the defense has largely been one of the league’s best units, they could use another linebacker. 2023 third-round pick Daiyan Henley is a natural fit for this defense, but Denzel Perriman is a bit of a liability against the run. This team needs another early-down thumper, and they could get one with an E.J. Speed trade.
E.J. Speed is at his best when he can pin his ears back, charge at the opposing offensive line, and blow up run lanes – and that’s what makes him such an intriguing trade target for the Chargers. Harbaugh believes games are won and lost in the trenches, and Speed could make an already strong run defense one of the most formidable units in the league.
Main Photo: Mark Lebryk – USA Today Sports
