The Indianapolis Colts had a busy offseason upgrading at multiple positions and making some big moves over the last few months. Seeing an opportunity to win now, general manager Chris Ballard deviated from his typically conservative mindset.
The Colts had a busy offseason adding big-name players, signing veterans to one-year deals and even letting go of a few necessary parts. By most accounts, the offseason should be considered a success for Ballard. Of course, we don’t know how these moves will pan out in the future, but they project well.
Here are the six best moves Ballard made this offseason:
Trading for DeForest Buckner
We know how much Ballard likes them picks. Giving away the No. 13 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft could not have been easy but at the same time, both Ballard and head coach Frank Reich have said it was a no-brainer to acquire a talent like Buckner.
The Colts desperately needed an upgrade at the three-technique. They didn’t get any production from the spot during the 2019 season, which was one of the reasons the defense couldn’t take that next step as a pass-rushing unit. Buckner doesn’t cure all of the pass-rushing woes, but his arrival will be something of a catalyst for the unit.
An All-Pro caliber talent at the three-technique, Buckner will be impacting the game in more ways than one. For starters, he’s a great pass rusher in his own right. His size, speed, strength and length are all elite while his plan as a pass rusher has evolved throughout his career. Making an impact simply by collapsing the top of the pocket will happen often.
But even more so, Buckner is likely to see his share of double teams on the interior. After all, he is the big dog on the defensive line—the one offenses will have to game plan around. Buckner will see a high percentage of double teams, which will free up the gaps for the edge players and the linebackers who might be blitzing through the interior.
There are many moves the Colts made that deserve praise, but the addition of Buckner could very well be the most impactful.
Upgrading at QB
This was a necessary move for the Colts. It was likely to happen as the offseason progressed, we just didn’t know which form it would take. As the months drew closer to free agency opening, the possibility of the Colts going after the veteran Philip Rivers became more and more likely.
Almost immediately after the legal tampering period opened, the Colts agreed to terms with Rivers on a one-year deal, making him the starter over Jacoby Brissett, who struggled to show any long-term value during the 2019 season.
For the most part, the signing of Rivers has been met with praise. The Colts get an upgrade at quarterback for at least one season with a veteran who already knows the ins and outs of the offensive system. Rivers’ familiarity with Frank Reich and Nick Sirianni should go a long way, especially given how the offseason training program has had to go during the coronavirus pandemic.
Upgrading at quarterback was the top need of the offseason and while we don’t know for sure which Philip Rivers will be under center, there’s a better chance it will be more productive than what the Colts got from Brissett in 2019.
Re-signing Anthony Castonzo
This was a no-brainer and even though it was expected all along, it is still one of the best moves the Colts made this offseason. With the offensive line being the strength of the entire offensive unit, Castonzo’s impact both on and off the field would be felt if he wasn’t there in 2020.
Not only did the Colts get their left tackle to return for the 2020 season, but they also got him to potentially anchor the left side of the line for another season after that. Castonzo’s presence on the offensive line can’t be overstated. He is coming off of his best season as a pro and really seems to thrive next to All-Pro left guard Quenton Nelson.
With Castonzo returning, the Colts now have two more offseasons to find his replacement. It is obvious the 30-year-old is contemplating retirement, which means they will have to move quickly over the next two offseasons.
Regardless, the Colts have their starting offensive line intact for the 2020 season thanks to the re-signing of their left tackle.
Drafting Michael Pittman Jr.
There aren’t many moves that are deemed perfect. Each one might come with a question mark or a concern or two. But if there was a move that is most worthy of receiving the “perfect” billing, it might just be the selection of Pittman Jr. in the 2020 NFL Draft.
There was no secret that the Colts had to upgrade at the wide receiver position this offseason. With a weak free-agency class, it was most likely going to come down to the draft. As the pre-draft process continued, it was becoming obvious who the Colts would target with the No. 34 pick.
Pittman Jr. embodies everything the Colts covet in prospects. He was a senior and a team captain. He was extremely productive and fit their mold off of the field. He has a blend of size, speed and length—three factors that seem to take precedence in their scouting profiles.
Pittman Jr. should be able to step right in and be the WR2 for the Colts. He will work as the X while T.Y. Hilton works mostly as the Z or the flanker. The USC product can make an immediate impact and should be considered one of the best picks in the draft.
Trading Quincy Wilson
This is a bit harsh, but it’s not meant to be. Even though the Colts had high hopes that Wilson would one day be a starter in the secondary, those aspirations never came to fruition for many reasons.
This isn’t considered one of the best moves simply because the Colts got rid of Wilson. It is on this list because they were able to get something for him. Very rarely can a team trade an embattled player on the final year of his contract. Most teams would simply wait for that player to hit the market.
But as the draft proceeded, the Colts were able to strike up a deal with the New York Jets (shocker) to send Wilson to East Rutherford in exchange for a seventh-round pick. It isn’t much, but they did add an intriguing cornerback to the roster because of the trade.
Wilson is still young and talented enough to make something of his career in the right scheme and situation. But it was obvious it wasn’t going to be with the Colts. The fact that they got something for him while freeing up a roster spot is a great move.
Making the offense more explosive
While the Colts offense certainly had some explosive players, the unit itself wasn’t explosive. At least, not consistently. Chris Ballard changed all that during the draft when he used his first two picks to change what the entire unit would look like.
We already covered what Pittman Jr. brings to the table. The No. 34 overall pick will make an immediate impact working on the boundary. He can win as a possession receiver underneath or go over the top and win on contested catches. His 4.52 in the 40-yard dash at 223 pounds ranks him in the 93rd percentile in speed score. So while the number at face value doesn’t impress, it actually does when factoring in his height and weight.
But the other addition in running back Jonathan Taylor also makes the unit way more explosive. The two-time Doak Walker Award winner will be a part of a 1-2 punch with Marlon Mack, but his ridiculous size and speed combination will make for an intriguing option in the backfield.
Taylor is a near-perfect fit in the Colts offense and while he won’t be taking over the backfield right away, he certainly makes the unit much more explosive. Add in the signing of Trey Burton at tight end, and it’s easy to see why the Colts offense could return to form in 2020.
