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NFL Draft Rumors: Colts 'Won't Act Out of Desperation' to Trade Up for QB
March 12, 2023
The Indianapolis Colts missed their chance to trade up to the No. 1 pick when the Carolina Panthers acquired it from the Chicago Bears, but they reportedly won't act out of desperation as a result.
According to Zak Keefer of The Athletic, the "Colts feel pretty strongly there isn't a Burrow/Lawrence in this draft, so they won't act out of desperation (and trade the farm to move up)" even though "they still have to address the QB issue."
Carolina paid quite the premium to get that No. 1 pick, sending the Bears wide receiver DJ Moore, the Nos. 9 and 61 overall picks in this year's draft, a first-round pick in 2024 and a second-round pick in 2025, per ESPN's Adam Schefter.
The Panthers needed to address the quarterback position long-term after going with Baker Mayfield, Sam Darnold and P.J. Walker last season.
Moving up to No. 1 means the NFC South team will have no competition when it comes to choosing its favorite signal-caller in the draft between Alabama's Bryce Young, Ohio State's C.J. Stroud, Kentucky's Will Levis and Florida's Anthony Richardson.
That is unfortunate news for the Colts, who realistically won't have their top choice if they stay at No. 4.
The Houston Texans also need a franchise quarterback at No. 2, and there has been speculation the Arizona Cardinals could trade the No. 3 pick. A team in need of a quarterback would presumably be the one to trade up to No. 3, which means signal-callers may end up going with the first four picks of the draft.
Indianapolis started Matt Ryan, Sam Ehlinger and Nick Foles during the 2022 campaign, none of which will be the team's long-term answer for the position. The team has also used temporary stopgaps such as Ryan, Carson Wentz, Philip Rivers and Jacoby Brissett since Andrew Luck retired and could switch that strategy by drafting someone early.
Yet that will be easier said than done if they stay at No. 4 and watches three other quarterbacks go right before their selection. Perhaps moving up one spot to No. 3 could help alleviate some of those concerns, but it seems they may not be willing to pay the price it would take to make that happen.
That could leave the Colts with their fourth choice come draft day.