Colts made great trade with Jets
The Indianapolis Colts had to do this. There will be dissenters, because we live in 2018, and people can argue about whether the sky is blue, but the Colts made a great move.
Indianapolis largely swung and missed throughout free agency (at last we hope it swung), leaving the roster even worse than when the team finished its lousy 4-12 campaign a few months ago. The Colts watched as linebacker Jon Bostic, wide receiver Donte Moncrief, running back Frank Gore and corner Rashaan Melvin left for greener pastures, doing nothing to replace any of them.
Now, it appears general manager Chris Ballard is turning the tide, making a tremendous trade with the New York Jets. In exchange, for the third-overall selection in the 2018 NFL Draft, the Colts acquired the sixth-overall selection along with two second-round picks this year and another second-round choice in 2019.
To recap, courtesy of @Colts: pic.twitter.com/a0ztRhnTxg
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 17, 2018
For Ballard and Indianapolis, this was a no-brainer. It’s hard to imagine that any team would be willing to offer more than the Jets. The only argument would be for the Buffalo Bills, who have multiple picks in each fo the first three rounds, but the Colts would have had to move down significantly farther in the first round.
By doing this deal, the Colts now have three second-round picks this year in a draft loaded more on depth than quality at the top. Considering the state of Indianapolis’ roster, Ballard had to pull the trigger here.
Outside of quarterback Andrew Luck — when he’s healthy — the Colts have almost no talent to speak of. The offensive line is horrible, T.Y. Hilton is the only weapon on the outside, and the defense was the league’s worst a year ago. If Ballard is going to rebuild this team from the ashes that former general manager Ryan Grigson left behind, it must start with a bushel of draft picks.
Of course, none of these picks mean anything if Ballard doesn’t hit. The Colts must add talent across the board, so he can go best player available throughout the three days and field little criticism.
Having moved back three spots, it’s unlikely that Indianapolis will land Saquon Barkley, but that’s fine. Assuming three quarterbacks go in the first five choice, Barkley will probably join them. The fifth player off the board is tough to assume, but in all likelihood, the Colts will have their pick between Mincah Fitzpatrick, Quentin Nelson, Bradley Chubb and Denzel Ward. All would be immediate upgrades at their respective positions for a team knee-deep in a rebuild.
The Colts made the right move collecting draft picks. Now, Ballard has to make noticeable strides, finally armed with the ammunition he needs.
