The Indianapolis Colts have done a solid job filling some of their needs this offseason. Their biggest one, the quarterback position, was filled when they acquired Matt Ryan from the Atlanta Falcons, following the trade of Carson Wentz to the Washington Commanders. Now, they could look to add another big asset in a potential trade with the New England Patriots.
Ryan should be an upgrade on Wentz, who came up short when the team needed him most last season. But, if the Colts want to become true contenders in the AFC, there is still a little bit of work that needs to be done.
On the offensive side of the ball, the team needs a left tackle as Eric Fischer hit free agency. The wide receiver spot could use an upgrade as well. Beyond Michael Pittman Jr., there isn’t much to get excited about at the position.
Unfortunately for the Colts, they do not have a first-round pick to immediately address those needs. Indianapolis only has seven selections in this year’s draft and the first time they will be on the clock is at No. 21. That is unless they pull off a trade similar to the one that Bleacher Report believes is best for them.
Knowing that the Colts are in a position to win now, they go all-in moving up into the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft. They make a trade with the New England Patriots, who send the No. 21, No. 201 and a 2023 fourth-round pick to Indianapolis. In exchange, the Colts send New England the No. 42 overall pick, a 2023 first-rounder and a 2023 fifth-rounder.
That is a pretty sizable move up the board by Indianapolis, but one that could be very beneficial. This is a deep wide receiver class and there very easily could be a plug-and-play option available at No. 21 that they could immediately insert into their starting lineup.
Chris Olave and Treylon Burks are two names to keep an eye on. Jameson Williams, while he may miss the start of the season, is a blue-chip prospect that only dropped down the boards because of a knee injury suffered in the National Championship Game.
Selecting a tackle at that spot would be a little riskier, but there are prospects, such as Trevor Penning, that could be available still. He would have some growing pains going from FCS Northern Iowa to the NFL, but he possesses immense potential.
From New England’s perspective, this is part of their regular MO. Bill Belichick maneuvers his way around the draft board as well as anyone ever has. He picks up more future draft capital in this deal, giving the Patriots more ammunition to swing deals down the road.
Wide receiver was a big need for New England, as that is the direction many mock drafts had them going. But, after acquiring DaVante Parker from the Miami Dolphins, it is no longer a pressing need and they could maximize their potential by picking up more draft picks for the future.
