Colts Projected to Make Huge Draft Trade for Star Receiver

Experts predict the Indianapolis Colts to get aggressive in Round 1 of this year’s NFL Draft.

Tigers reciever Malik Nabers 8 after a touchdown as the LSU Tigers take on Georgia State in Tiger / SCOTT CLAUSE/USA TODAY Network / USA

The Indianapolis Colts are approaching the 2024 NFL Draft with multiple positional needs. While notable acquisitions could still happen for Indy, perhaps none are more important than another reliable pass-catcher for quarterback Anthony Richardson.

Bleacher Report's Kristopher Knox agrees and believes the Colts could be in line for a round-one trade on draft day. In his recent piece covering potential trades, Indianapolis doesn’t mess around when it comes to getting Richardson another offensive weapon. Here's Knox's entry for the Colts:

In this scenario, Chicago decides Allen, D.J. Moore and tight end Cole Kmet are a good enough core for its rookie quarterback. The Indianapolis Colts, however, decide to get aggressive in bolstering the supporting cast of second-year QB Anthony Richardson.

Indianapolis has a serviceable receiving corps headlined by Michael Pittman Jr., However, he was the only Colt to top 800 receiving yards last season, and the team didn't get a ton out of the tight end position.

Here, the Colts make the jump from No. 15 to No. 9 to grab a pass-catcher before the Jets do. The Bears, who own just two selections outside of Round 1, add more capital in the middle rounds.

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Indianapolis could easily add one of the top receivers in this year's draft to an offense operated by Shane Steichen. Now, the Chicago Bears have the first and ninth overall selections, so it's worth clarifying that Knox is likely eluding to the ninth overall pick that Chicago would trade away. Still, Indianapolis could have access to Washington's Rome Odunze and LSU's Malik Nabers to pair with receivers Michael Pittman Jr. and Josh Downs. Both are incredible playmakers heading into the 2024 draft, and each would help the Colts offense on day one. It's also fair to add Nabers' teammate Brian Thomas Jr., who many NFL teams have been high on lately and would fit in Indianapolis.

Aside from the wide receivers, only one other option could stand out. That outlier is Georgia tight end Brock Bowers. While Bowers is listed at tight end, he also possesses such rare skill as an offensive playmaker that his position should be "offensive playmaker." A mind like Steichen would maximize Bowers' talents, turning him into a formidable weapon against any professional defense in front of him. Lastly, considering what an offense could accomplish when giving Richardson a player like Bowers is truly enticing.

It's a great time for fans to follow the Colts in this season's draft. While last year was exciting to look into who would lead the franchise at quarterback, it was also a foregone conclusion as to where Indy was turning to. Now, several avenues could be explored by Chris Ballard and the Indy front office.

Will the Colts strike a trade with the Bears to get inside the top 10? If they do, will they still select a pass-catcher? It's interesting to consider how the Colts will conduct business on the first day of the draft. In less than a month, we'll find out.

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