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Bill Barnwell’s ‘All-Trades’ Mock Draft Has Colts Dealing Down with Dolphins

By Luke Schultheis

Sep 15, 2013; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts wide receiver T.Y. Hilton (13) is tackled by Miami Dolphins safety Jimmy Wilson (27) after making a catch during the first quarter at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 15, 2013; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts wide receiver T.Y. Hilton (13) is tackled by Miami Dolphins safety Jimmy Wilson (27) after making a catch during the first quarter at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports /
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According to ESPN’s Bill Barnwell, the Indianapolis Colts could have a potential trade partner in this year’s 2017 NFL Draft with one of their old AFC East divisional foes, the Miami Dolphins, who may be interested in trading up to the 15th overall pick:

"15. Indianapolis ColtsDolphins get: 1-15, 4-137Colts get: 1-22, 3-97, 2018 second-round pickNew Colts general manager Chris Ballard inherits Andrew Luck and precious little else after years of subpar drafts under Ryan Grigson, so his first priority will be stockpiling draft picks to fill out the roster. It’s likely the Colts will trade down out of the 15th pick, and they have a natural match with the Dolphins, who are often interested in moving up to grab specific players. Miami is missing third- and fourth-round picks this year after trading up to draft Leonte Carroo last year, so they’ll need to leverage the third-round pick they got as compensation for Olivier Vernon and send a second-rounder in next year’s draft to move up seven slots. This could be a landing spot for guard Forrest Lamp or pass-rusher Derek Barnett if they’re still around."

Of course, it’s not out of the realm of possibility that the Colts could trade down in this year’s NFL Draft in order to acquire more draft picks.

Specifically, new general manager Chris Ballard already appears to be a very willing trade partner (via Colts.com’s Kevin Bowen):

"Mar 1, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard speaks to the media during the 2017 NFL Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports“Not enough,” Colts general manager Chris Ballard says of having seven picks in the first five rounds. “We need more (laughs).”“We won’t be (afraid to trade back). We will not be timid about moving around in the draft. Will it happen? I don’t know. There’s some years we said that in Kansas City, and we didn’t make one trade. And then last year we beat bopped around a few times in the draft.”“You’ve got to have a partner that’s willing to trade with and you have to be willing to work out the compensation. We are definitely open to trading back in this draft and we have to make sure when we do it, we still have the right players on the board targeted.”"

Whether a trade could come to fruition with the Dolphins, remains to be actually seen. At first glance, it appears that such a trade would be a very steep price to pay for Miami.

The Dolphins essentially lose 40 spots–falling from the 3rd round (#97) to 4th (#137) this year and surrender a 2018 second round pick in order to climb just 7 spots in the first round.

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It could very well make sense for the Colts if there is no player that is head and shoulders above the rest of the pack on their draft board with the 15th overall pick.

With still so many holes–particularly on defense, it seems highly reasonable that the Colts could look to shore up as many weaknesses as possible by accumulating more picks.

Among the Colts biggest needs are pass rush and cornerback, but the team could also withstand to improve at inside linebacker, defensive end, safety, running back, and offensive line.

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