The Indianapolis Colts have made it clear they have no issues with trading at any point during the NFL Draft. With general manager Chris Ballard leading the way, there is always a chance draft day trades get done.
Predicting the trades can be difficult. Most teams don’t even know they want to make a deal until it happens. Still, there are some areas during the draft where we can examine as potential spots in which the Colts could trade up or back.
Here are four potential trade scenarios for the Colts in the draft:
Trade back from No. 26 overall
If there was a bet that had to be placed on the Colts making a trade, this would be one of the most popular ones. With a pick at the end of the first round, the Colts might not be too keen on reaching for a prospect simply to make a selection.
This could lead Ballard to fielding trade calls on the first night of the draft where the Colts move back out of the first round. This would likely give Ballard a chance to add a 2020 draft pick seeing as the selections this year will take up a good portion of the roster.
There are likely going to be options on the board at this spot, but trading back should certainly be expected as one of their top options.
Trade back from No. 59 overall
With two second-round picks, the Colts could do the exact same thing they did in the 2018 draft. That is trading back from the No. 59 overall pick. It is more likely they make a selection here, but it all depends on how the board looks.
Trading back from this spot could allow the Colts to either add another selection later in the draft in 2019 or add a relatively early pick in the 2020 draft. Ballard is always looking toward the future, which means the 2020 draft is in play.
The Colts have their third-round pick 30 selections after this. Trading back could give them a chance to add another pick while still selecting solid talent on Day 2.
Trade up from No. 164
On Day 3, selections are flying around and teams are wheeling and dealing during the final four rounds. There is a some solid depth at several positions on the final day of the draft, which means there is the chance Ballard might see a prospect they like.
In order to grab that player, there is the likelihood they would have to trade up while probably giving up their seventh-round pick (No. 240) in order to do so. That might not be what Ballard has in mind, but if there is a player that falls far, it is certainly in the cards.
Trading back and adding picks is more to Ballard’s preference, but he’s also stated he’s not afraid to move up for a player they like.
Jacoby Brissett for a 2020 pick
Even though it is highly unlikely, there is always the chance the Colts get a sweet offer for Brissett from a team that needs a quarterback. It is more likely that Brissett wears a Colts uniform in 2019, but given the possibility of a trade, he had to be included in this list.
The Colts aren’t going to receive a 2019 pick for Brissett. That ship has sailed but if Ballard is blown away with an offer for a pick in the 2020 draft, he may be willing to make a deal. Getting a first-rounder probably isn’t in the cards, but for a 2020 second-round pick? That should take some consideration.
Brissett holds a ton of value for the Colts as their backup quarterback, which makes this scenario unlikely. It’s possible, however, given how desperate some teams might be for a quarterback.
