5 Trade Scenarios Indianapolis Colts Should Consider If They Get the No. 1 Pick

As the season progresses and the Colts fall deeper and deeper in the hole, it is time to consider what options they have if they receive the No. 1 pick. Obviously the whole question of what the Colts should do with a No. 1 pick hinges on the health of Peyton Manning.

But let's just say, for the sake of this article, that Peyton Manning will be back to old form next year.  

If the Colts get the No. 1 pick, why would they want to take Andrew Luck who would ultimately just sit on the bench and wait? Instead the Colts should trade the rights for the No. 1 pick and get a player who is proven and can help them compete next year.  

Obviously when considering which teams would be willing to trade for the No. 1 pick, you need to think of teams that need a quarterback.

Here are five hypothetical trade scenarios that the Colts should consider if they get the No. 1 pick.

1. Chicago: Matt Forte

Indianapolis needs to get a feature back who can run between the tackles, catch passes out of the backfield, and take pressure of Peyton Manning and the passing game. Look no further than Matt Forte.  

Forte has proven that he is an every down back that has the ability to pound the ball for short yardage and has the threat to make huge plays. With Forte in the backfield with Manning, the offense is as potent as any.

The Bears would be interested in making this trade because they have been underwhelmed by the performance of Jay Cutler. Andrew Luck could be the quarterback who gets them to the next level in this league. The Colts should think about trading the rights to the No. 1 pick for Matt Forte.

2. Redskins: LaRon Landry and Brian Orakpo

The Colts need a couple of defensive stalwarts who can lock down opponents and prevent them from scoring. Over the years the defense has been built around strong pass rush from Robert Mathis and Dwight Freeney. If the Colts trade away the No. 1 pick, they could try and get LaRon Landry and Brian Orakpo.  

Orakpo is a lethal outside linebacker who can rush the passer with ferocity and make plays in space. He would give a boost to Freeney and Mathis making the Colts pass rush one of the scariest in the NFL.  

LaRon Landry on the other hand is a safety in the mold of Bob Sanders. He would provide the Colts with a player who can cover receivers, stop the run and make devastating hits against players coming over the middle.These two players would vastly improve Indy’s defense and help them compete next year.

One thing is obvious, the Redskins need a quarterback. This season they have played both John Beck and Rex Grossman with little success, and therefore would love the right to draft Andrew Luck. While the Skins would be giving up a couple of All-Pro type players, the upside of Luck is too good to turn down.

3. Cleveland: Joe Thomas

Joe Thomas is the best or one of the best left tackles in the game. By trading the No. 1 pick for Thomas the Colts will be getting a player who can protect Manning’s weak side. Thomas is the type of tackle that improves the team in a variety of ways.  

First of all he does an impeccable job in pass protection. He will give Peyton all the time he needs to operate his high-powered offense. Another benefit of having Thomas on the left side is that now the Colts will have a big tackle to run behind.

The holes that Thomas and Saturday could create on that line would be ridiculous. It wouldn't matter who was the running back with an offensive line powered by Thomas. 

The Browns would be interested in this trade because Colt McCoy has not established himself as a quarterback you can win a championship with. Also the Browns need an elite quarterback to compete with the likes of Pittsburgh and Baltimore year in and year out.

4. Tennessee: Chris Johnson

Sure, Chris Johnson is having a down year. That does not mean that he would not be a great asset to the Colts team. When Johnson was having career years there were no better backs in the league. His speed and rare ability to make people miss would be an added weapon to Manning’s offense.  

Imagine the type of numbers he would put up in the Colts offense. Defenses would not know what to do because you have to respect both Manning and Johnson.

Tennessee would be interested in making this trade because they need a quarterback like Andrew Luck.  Matt Hasselbeck is a decent player but he is past his prime. Yes, they have drafted Jake Locker, but he is unproven as a pro.  

Plus we know from college that Andrew Luck was far better than Locker. Both teams would benefit from this trade.

5. San Francisco: Frank Gore

One thing we know is that Jim Harbaugh loves Andrew Luck and would probably be willing to give up anything to get him. Why not try and take the 49ers best weapon in Frank Gore? This season Gore has proved that he is an every down back that can carry the workload of the running game.  

He is a tough down hill runner that wears defenses down throughout the game. He would give the Colts consistency at a position they have struggled at in previous years. Gore and Manning in the backfield would be one defenses have nightmares over. The play action pass would be better than ever with a talent like Gore.

The Niners have put together quite the season and might not want to do much with their team in the off season. With that said, Harbaugh knows the type of quarterback Andrew Luck is and might be willing to roll the dice to get him.