NFL Trade Rumors: Ravens Deal Lamar Jackson to Colts?
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson and speculation on his future have dominated the talking points of the NFL offseason.
Jackson's desire to sign a new contract and to play for a new team have complicated the issue and potential suitors are bowing out of the sweepstakes with all of the risk involved.
However, one team has stayed under the radar and remain a strong possibility for Jackson's next destination ... the Indianapolis Colts.
Bleacher Report suggests that the Colts still feel like a "logical landing spot" for the 2019 NFL MVP.
"Between now and April 27, [Indianapolis Colts general manager] Ballard could decide that Jackson is a better option than any quarterback he's going to land with the fourth overall pick," Bleacher Report writes. "The Colts might be more inclined to make a move after the draft if they're unwilling to part with the fourth overall selection and/or don't find a quarterback they like at No. 4."
Should the Colts establish themselves as a true contender for Jackson's services, the Ravens could play hardball in a potential trade.
"The Ravens could hold out for more than the two first-round picks by threatening to match Indianapolis' offer sheet but offering to trade Jackson for additional compensation," Bleacher Report writes. "If Indy stands to improve significantly—therefore making its 2024 and 2025 first-round picks low selections—Baltimore could want a little extra in the deal."
The Ravens have already made it challenging for any team that may have wanted Jackson to acquire him after placing the non-exclusive franchise tag on him, and that has forced teams to seek alternative quarterback options for 2023. The Colts feel like the one team without a legitimate plan for a starter ... unless it's a rookie.
That being said, the Colts sit in a very precarious position for the quarterback market at the top of the draft. Should a team leapfrog them for the No. 3 pick -- currently owned by the Arizona Cardinals -- Indianapolis would be forced to take the fourth-best quarterback ... or roll the dice for Jackson.
You can follow Jeremy Brener on Twitter @JeremyBrener.
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