3 Trades Colts Can Make to Move Up in Draft

If the Indianapolis Colts want to ensure they get their quarterback of the future in the draft then they may have to trade up to make it happen.

The Indianapolis Colts are in a position where they know what they absolutely must do this offseason:

Hire the right head coach and draft the right quarterback.

Drafting players based on their traits to fit a particular position is an area where we've seen the Colts be incredibly picky under general manager Chris Ballard. With that being the case, there are four quarterbacks in the upcoming draft class that are widely considered early first-rounders in Bryce Young, C.J. Stroud, Will Levis, and Anthony Richardson.

All four players offer high-quality attributes and have room to grow, but which ones (if any) the Colts covet is anybody's guess. As talented as all four quarterbacks are, they also have their concerns that could be deal-breakers.

Regardless, if the right quarterback is there, the Colts will do what they can to get him. Just ask Ballard.

“Yes, I’d do whatever it takes," he said after the season when asked if he'd "move heaven and earth to get his quarterback. "If we thought there’s a player that we’re driven to get that makes the franchise and the team better that’s what we would do.”

The Colts already sit in an advantageous spot with the fourth-overall in order to get their next quarterback, but if they feel another team may swoop in ahead of them and get them, then the Colts could attempt to move up.

Here is a trade scenario with each of the three teams picking ahead of the Colts.

DraftTek.com

This is the 2023 NFL Draft Trade Value Chart, from DraftTek.com, which I used as a baseline for these trades. Each draft slot is appointed a point value.

Desperation always dictates how much teams are willing to spend in trades, though, so overpaying is the name of the game.

No. 3, Arizona Cardinals

© Alex Gould/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK

The Cardinals aren't in a position to draft a new quarterback, as they already have an above-average one in Kyler Murray, so they could be open for business when it comes to moving down the draft board.

Moving to the third pick from the fourth pick doesn't benefit the Colts much unless Arizona is on the clock, the Colts' preferred player is still on the board, and they feel other quarterback-needy teams are trying to make a deal with the Cardinals.

Colts receive:

• 2023 Round 1, No. 3-overall (2200)

Cardinals receive:

• 2023 Round 1, No. 4-overall (1800)
• 2023 Round 2, No. 35-overall (550)
• 2024 Round 2 (~430)

No. 2, Houston Texans

Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-USA TODAY Sports

The Texans should have almost zero motivation to deal with their AFC South rival Colts, which should lead to a steep price in the event of a trade.

For one, the Texans also need a quarterback. It's been said that, like Ballard, Texans GM Nick Caserio values size in his quarterback, which could mean that they are gunning for the same player(s).

Division rivals potentially looking for the same player in the same spot? Yeah, that could be expensive.

Colts receive:

• 2023 Round 1, No. 2-overall (2600)

Texans receive:

• 2023 Round 1, No. 4-overall (1800)
• 2023 Round 2, No. 35-overall (550)
• 2024 Round 1 (~1000)
• 2024 Round 2 (~430)

No. 1, Chicago Bears

Mandatory Credit: Jamie Sabau-USA TODAY Sports

With Ballard's connections to both Bears head coach Matt Eberflus and GM Ryan Poles, this feels like the most likely trade partner for the Colts. It also seems the most likely to have a Colts player involved in it, again because of Eberflus' familiarity with the Colts' roster.

The Bears definitely need wide receiver help, which could have someone like Michael Pittman Jr. involved, but it doesn't make much sense for the Colts to move off their best receiver while bringing in a new quarterback. DeForest Buckner also makes sense because the three-tech tackle is arguably the most important part of Eberflus' defense, but Buckner could be dang-near untouchable for the Colts.

That's where Kenny Moore II comes in. In speaking with him after the season ended, he sounded mostly reflective of his time in Indianapolis rather than someone who's forecasting the future there. Moore cherished the time he played under Eberflus and has also voiced his displeasure with his current contract. It makes a lot of sense for him to go to Chicago.

The Bears are said to be in the market for "unbelievable offers" for the top overall pick, so this offer may even be too low. However, that information could very well be coming from the Bears themselves to drive up the starting price.

Colts receive:

• 2023 Round 1, No. 1-overall (3000)

Bears receive:

• 2023 Round 1, No. 4-overall (1800)
• 2023 Round 2, No. 35-overall (550)
• 2024 Round 1 (~1000)
• 2024 Round 2 (~430)
• CB Kenny Moore II

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