AwesomeAustin

While that may play a small part of it but I doubt enough they won’t execute a trade back. It would only allow moving back one spot.

Completely understand but I could at least stomach the Colts doing everything they can to protect AR and let him work. If a franchise tackle is there when they pick and clearly BPA, it makes sense. I don’t think the Colts will go this route but I do recognize the possibility. After the presser it looks like the Colts will trade back so there will be a lot of picks before the they make their first selection. This makes it nearly impossible to predict which way they may go. Chances are I won’t know who the majority of the players the Colts pick anyways. Going to sit back and enjoy the show and see what happens.

I do believe the Chiefs offered Hill a decent amount of money. Dolphins were willing to offer 30m a year plus draft capital. I can’t remember but I thought Hill was willing to take less from the Chiefs until the Dolphins went big and he couldn’t say no.

I agree. Unless an offensive weapon is BPA, I would prefer the Colts go defense or OL if everyone is graded really close

It was also 13yrs ago. The trend since has been to trade for an established receiver. Hill, Adams, Diggs, Jones, Brown, Hopkins, Cooks, Beckham Jr etc all have been blockbuster trades. The Falcons trading two 1st, a 2nd and a 4th for a rookie is by far the exception.

I really like the idea of using day 3 picks to move up on day 2. I think this team needs quality over quantity and would rather walk away from the draft with 5 players in the first four rounds than 8-9 bc we got more late round picks trading down. I would even be ok with moving down in the first if the draft board says the players we want are valued in the 20s and it nets a 3rd or 4th.

Not directed at you but in general. I don’t understand the talk about getting rid of Ballard. If he was going anywhere it would have been before last season. He picked the new coach and together picked the hopeful franchise QB. No way they will make a regime change unless Irsay wants to completely clean house. New GM would want his coach and maybe even a different QB, we would have to start over. Only chance the whole team isn’t blown up is if they would promote from within and that would probably be worked out before we would ever know it’s happening. Ballard, Steichen and AR are the guys for the next 2-3yrs minimum and they will do whatever they can to win with this group.

When we drafted Paye I predicted he would be a 6-8 sack a year guy with maybe 1-2 seasons he has a career type year and reaches double digits. We have a new DL coach and maybe he can get more out of him. I feel Paye is performing right around his ceiling. Good but not great player. There is room for him on this roster even on a 2nd contract if paid as #2 or top end rotational player.

If they are rolling it over until next year, maybe it’s part of the plan with all the three year extensions to make a couple splashes in FA or trades while AR is on his rookie deal. Maybe wants to make sure AR is good to go and works out his rookie ways this year. Idk but just a theory.

I feel if MAC was going to be a cap casualty it would have already happened. Ballard is known to do right by his players and would most likely have cut him at the beginning of the league year allowing time to find a new team. Now that may change at final roster cut downs but until then, they plan for MAC to play this year.

Go Colts! The front office is telling us fans this roster is ready to compete with AR. This team looks like it’s being setup for a three year run. I fully believe they will do some moves during the draft to add quality players instead of acquiring more picks on day 3. Pure speculation on my end but I’m anticipating 4 players will be taken in the first three rounds.

Wife and I went to the game today. Couldn’t ask for a better first game for her. She isnt a sports fan but had fun and was clapping and cheering towards the end. The Pacers have a mini 3 going with Halliburton, Turner and Siakam. They played lights out and really put on a show. Going to check prices on playoff tickets and see if we can go again.

I noticed this as well. Gives me a lot of confidence the Colts are ready to compete and looking to get the last 3-4 guys needed from the draft or developing guys already here waiting their turn. A lot of people are upset we didn’t add more in free agency but we don’t need to. The return of AR and another year together should improve most players enough we can compete with anyone. This is going to be a really good year

Closer we get to draft time I’m hoping more and more the Colts trade up their 2nd or 3rd round picks. If AR is who this team thinks he is, the roster is 3-4 players away from being a hard team to beat in the playoffs. I think we are past the quantity dart board approach and now into adding quality players. Personally, I think this draft and next years can set the foundation for a contending team for the next 4-6 years. We may already have 1-2 of these players already on the roster. I’m really interested in the development of Downs, Cross and these TEs and CBs. There is talent in these spots and I think at least one of them steps up to be a very good starter. I know the big question is AR, if he elevates this team we will be able to compete with anyone. 3/4 more good to great players and we can beat anyone.

Wow. Take that trade anytime!

It will take more than #15 to get Crosby but it still makes a good topic of discussion. I’m guessing two 1s would be the minimum for them to even listen to an offer.

Even with Bowers appearing to be a great TE prospect, I don’t think the value is there for our team at #15. I feel we have the middle of the field covered very well with who we have. I do think he would help the offense but other players available could impact the team more. Will be interesting to see what happens. To answer OPs question, I would go CB.

In all fairness that’s how the process is designed work. Mitchell was a 2 time all conference and I believe all- American. He was invited to the senior bowl and then the combine and coaches/media get up close look at him. During this process more fans learn about players. I doubt majority of people watch enough college football to really know a corner back from Toledo is a first round capable player. Most people watch their team and maybe a few other big games, so unless their team crosses paths with a player like Mitchell, we don’t don’t know about him until now. I’m thankful for the process for this. In all fairness that’s how the process is designed work. Mitchell was a 2 time all conference and I believe all- American. He was invited to the senior bowl and then the combine and coaches/media get up close look at him. During this process more fans learn about players. I doubt majority of people watch enough college football to really know a corner back from Toledo is a first round capable player. Most people watch their team and maybe a few other big games, so unless their team crosses paths with a player like Mitchell, we don’t don’t know about him until now. I’m thankful for the process for this.

Correct about the QB. Drew Brees had 8 seasons on teams with a .500 or worse record were he played in majority of the games. That’s almost a decade of losing in his career. I do think the Colts have a really good roster. If AR is everything the Colts planned for him to be, they should have some success the next three years. This is an AFC championship appearance roster with great QB play.

Perhaps it’s the players believing they can get the job done. They are basically bringing back every starter and I’m sure those guys want to get it done. Shane Steichen said he believes in continuity. For the most part the coach is getting what he wanted. Only slight changes to the staff and roster for the team to go into year two and improve around their quasi rookie QB. I still think there will be another starter or two from the draft by end of next season. I’m actually enjoying watching this team come back mostly intact. They exceeded our expectations last year and I’m hoping they do it again this year. This is going to be fun.

I know it will never happen bc of strategy reasons, but I wish a team would show their draft board and how they decide value and ranks of players. It would be so interesting to see how a team goes through the draft process and judges one player vs another. Plus they could never make public the discussions on drafting someone to possibly replace a player in a year or so. Closest we can get is when scouts and other front office people leave the team setting to do media. Still, people seem to have an understanding to not overshare the day to day operations.

I agree with you that likely a player at #46 won’t push those other players. However I feel a player at 15 and let’s say 35(don’t know who is picking there or who is available) could push two different positions. I see the logic of trading up for the bright line scenario you are saying. I believe back in 2018 Ballard called them Blue Chip players. The million dollar question is the team better served with one blue chip player or a possible blue chip player at 15 and a darn good player in the late first early second. I personally feel on draft night, if the Colts board around pick 8-11 is playing out we can get elite potential at #15, the Colts should stay where we are and look into moving the 2nd up. All that does depend on how the Colts rate players and if a bonafide starter on their draft board is even available at the end of day 1 or to start day two.

I’m really enjoying what you are saying bc it’s making me think and research a little bit. I looked at the last 25 picks at the #46 slot and no one jumps out. I want to counter what you are recommending with instead of trading up from 15, the Colts should trade up from 46. For me personally, I believe the defense is void of much talent. If the draft shakes out where we can get a 1st round graded DT or DE at 15 and then trade up from 46 for a DB we have graded high…that would be a great start. Addresses positions of need while also keeping it in the spirit of BPA. With all that said, I wouldn’t be upset if the Colts drafted OL either lol. So I’m on board with trading up but not really into the top 10. I would rather the Colts use their later picks as ammo to get more top 50-100 guys in this draft. I think the roster is super solid in most places. So instead of searching for the diamond in the rough with late round guys who probably can’t make the team, I would like players that can push current players and eventually replace them instead of giving them another contract. Just off the top of my head here are a few players on both side of the ball it could be beneficial to draft a replacement for instead of signing to another contract. Smith(relies on injuries, he has played great) Fries Kelly Pierce Dayo(this is make or break year) Paye Speed Safety Corner Thats 9-10 positions we could use an upgrade or replacement in near future. I touched a few areas so I hope this makes sense.

It appears it slots him in at #15 if he hits all his incentives. Who knows what it takes to get all of them. Of course there are others that could sign and move him down a slot or two. I guess I would consider it fair. Not sure if he is a top 15 safety in the league but close enough when healthy.

I think they drafted Leonard in the 2nd round bc they identified him for the talent he was. I believe the TV guys said it was a reach at the time. I could see Ballard going LB again only if they find the right guy, they won’t force it. Leonard was unreal on his rookie contract and well worth a 2nd.