The Indianapolis Colts accomplished their No. 1 goal this offseason, which was finding a long-term answer at the quarterback position. Their selection of Anthony Richardson out of Florida with the No. 4 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft will hopefully address that need for years to come.
With Richardson in the fold, general manager Chris Ballard can now focus on upgrading the roster around his new young signal caller. The cupboard certainly isn’t bare as the Colts have a few nice building blocks already in place.
Leading the backfield is running back Jonathan Taylor, who led the NFL in rushing attempts, rushing yards, rushing touchdowns, yards from scrimmage and total touchdowns in 2021. Injuries derailed his 2022 so they are hopeful he gets back on track.
At wide receiver, the Colts have Michael Pittman Jr. and Alec Pierce atop the depth chart. However, slot receiver Parris Campbell departed in free agency, signing with the New York Giants, creating a void in the offense.
With their third-round pick, Indianapolis selected North Carolina wide receiver, Josh Downs. Isaiah McKenzie was signed away from the Buffalo Bills in free agency as well, but it certainly wouldn’t hurt to add some more pass-catching talent to the roster.
One player who could be of interest to the Colts is Quez Watkins of the Philadelphia Eagles. Indianapolis was selected as a logical landing spot for him by Cody Benjamin of CBS Sports and the fit does make some sense.
“After a solid 2021 season in his first year under Nick Sirianni (43 catches, 647 yards), Watkins’ speed didn’t match his production as the No. 3 behind A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith during the Eagles’ Super Bowl bid. His iffy hands could convince hyperactive GM, Howie Roseman, to offload him ahead of a contract year, saving an immediate $2.7M.”
What could a trade between the Colts and Eagles look like? Indianapolis could offer a 2024 fifth-round pick to Philadelphia in exchange for him and see if they bite.
The Eagles could opt to take the immediate savings trading Watkins in the final year of his contract would provide. Receiving a fifth-round pick in exchange for him would be solid value as he wasn’t as big of a part of the team’s offense in 2022.
The Colts should be able to make more use of him and his elite speed. Unlike the Eagles, whose pecking order is set in stone, the Colts have only Pittman locked into a heavy target workload and have over 100 targets from last season up for grabs.
Speed is something the Colts’ offense could certainly use more of. Watkins has the skill set to take the top off of a defense, opening things up for his teammates working intermediate and short routes.
