If there is one thing about Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard that he’s made clear, it’s that he loves the finesse game of wheeling and dealing picks in trades during the NFL draft.
In the three drafts since taking over as general manager of the Colts in 2017, Ballard has made at least one trade during the draft. We all know the pre-draft trades of Quenton Nelson and DeForest Buckner, but we’re talking in about mid-draft trades here.
Ballard has made mid-draft trades every year as the decision-maker and with *only* seven picks in the 2020 draft, it should be expected that he will make a deal at some point over the three-day event this year.
Here, we take a look at the short but full history of Ballard’s mid-draft trades:
2017 | 2018 | 2019 | Conclusion
2017
- Traded the No. 121 overall pick to San Francisco for the Nos. 143 and 161 picks.
Ballard’s first mid-draft trade came in the fourth round of his first draft as general manager. He held a fourth-round pick but moved back with the 49ers, grabbing an extra fourth at the end of the round and an extra fifth.
This was low-key an underrated trade for Ballard. He moved back in the fourth round while adding an extra pick. Those new picks turned out to be running back Marlon Mack (No. 143) and linebacker Anthony Walker (No. 161).
Both players have become starters over the last two seasons making major impacts on their respective sides of the ball.
2018
- Traded No. 49 to Philadelphia for Nos. 52 and 169.
This is where Ballard really showed how much he likes to trade. In the second round, he moved back three spots while adding an extra fifth. Those picks turned into defensive end Kemoko Turay (No. 52) and running back Jordan Wilkins (No. 169).
- Traded Nos. 67 and 178 to Cleveland for No. 64.
This trade hasn’t quite worked out. Ballard wanted to move up three spots at the end of the second round to grab defensive tackle Tyquan Lewis (No. 64). He didn’t have to give up much, but the selection of the player hasn’t turned out well through two seasons.
- Traded No. 140 to Oakland for Nos. 159 and 185.
After giving up a sixth-round pick to Cleveland, Ballard got it back while moving back in this deal. With these two new picks, the Colts selected wide receiver Daurice Fountain (No. 159) and wide receiver Deon Cain (No. 185). Neither have panned out thus far as both dealt with season-ending injuries in different campaigns. Fountain hopes to make an impact in Year 3 while Cain was released in 2019.
- Traded DT Henry Anderson to New York Jets for No. 235.
Moving to an even front and an aggressive scheme, Henry wasn’t a fit for the defense anymore. Ballard flipped him to the Jets for an extra seventh-round pick where the Colts would take linebacker Zaire Franklin, a key part of the special teams core.
2019
- Traded No. 26 to Washington for No. 46 and a 2020 second-round pick.
Having the No. 34 pick shortly after their first-rounder in 2019, Ballard moved back out of the first round in hopes they would still have the chance to take cornerback Rock Ya-Sin. It worked as Ballard got his guy while moving back 20 spots but adding a future second-round pick, which has turned into the No. 34 overall pick in 2020.
- Traded No. 46 to Cleveland for Nos. 49 and 144.
Ballard struck up another deal with the Browns moving back three spots while adding a fifth-round pick. With these new picks, he wound up taking defensive end Ben Banogu (No. 49) and cornerback Marvell Tell (No. 144). Both had promising but limited rookie seasons.
- Traded Nos. 129 and 135 to Oakland for No. 109.
This was a rare trade up where Ballard gave up two fourth-round picks, but they really wanted safety Khari Willis, who wound up being the selection for them at No. 109. Willis had a superb rookie season and flashed plenty of potential.
- Traded DT Hassan Ridgeway to Philadelphia for No. 246.
Ridgeway became buried on the depth chart of the new defense and Ballard found a home for him in Philly. With the new pick in the seventh round, the Colts took center/guard Javon Patterson (No. 246), who wound up missing his entire rookie season after suffering a torn ACL in the spring.
Conclusion
Even in the short amount of time that Ballard has been running the front office for the Colts, he has made plenty of moves to give us an idea for the draft this month. It’s unpredictable, but we at least know a few things.
- Ballard has traded up just twice in the three drafts but isn’t afraid to move up for a player they like (Tyquan Lewis, Khari Willis).
- He prefers to move around the second round, moving back a few spots but making sure to add a mid-Day 3 pick.
- With those mid-Day 3 picks, Ballard has had some strong hits such as Marlon Mack, Anthony Walker and Jordan Wilkins.
- He’s traded player for pick twice and could be looking to do so again if a team has interest in a player like cornerback Quincy Wilson.
From this, we can take a few things. At No. 34, the Colts have ammo to move up. But the more likely scenario might be Ballard moving back from the No. 44 pick for a team that wants to move up while adding another fifth-round pick in the process.
A player for pick trade also shouldn’t be ruled out, especially if Ballard can find a new home for a player that is likely to be buried on the depth chart or they don’t feel he is a fit for the system.
