Here’s why Colts GM Chris Ballard probably won’t made a big trade before the deadline

Fans in Indianapolis shouldn’t be expecting GM Chris Ballard to make a big trade before the upcoming deadline.

With the 2020 trade deadline fast approaching, there’s been growing speculation about whether the Indianapolis Colts will be buyers or keep their roster as presently constituted. In all honestly, we can make a case for both sides of the argument.

For starters, it’d be understandable if GM Chris Ballard decided to trade for a high-profile wideout, a proven edge rusher, or offensive line insurance in the event that one of his five studs went down with an injury.

However, with the team’s ceiling clearly limited by quarterback Philip Rivers and crippling injuries to other skill positions on the offense, we can also picture a scenario where Ballard opted to see how the rest of the season plays out and instead gear up for a championship run in 2021.

Well, according to Zak Keefer of The Athletic, fans shouldn’t be counting on Ballard to make a trade ahead of the Nov. 3 deadline. In essence, his opinion boils down to a lack of intriguing options at positions of need — wide receiver, defensive end, and offensive line — as well as the fact that Indianapolis’ roster is getting healthier.

"“On the other side of the ball, it’s no secret the Colts need help on the edges,” Keefer wrote in his column. “The good news is third-year pass rusher Kemoko Turay is returning soon and his skill set — he’s long, lean and fast — is exactly what the Colts are lacking at the moment.“Finding quality offensive line help is never easy, and it’s best to tackle this need in the draft. But we all saw how much the Colts missed Anthony Castonzo in Cleveland. The drop-off was considerable.”"

These are some great points made by Keefer. While adding a piece at the deadline would certainly bolster the Colts’ playoff push, trading for players on expiring contracts — those are generally the types of players made available around this time of the year — would make zero sense.

Ballard noted back in January that opposing teams try to capitalize on desperation ahead of the trade deadline, and he has no reason to fall into that trap. It’s become clear over the last few weeks that the Colts probably aren’t winning a championship this year, so why give up assets for players who might not last in Indianapolis beyond the current season?

The 51-year-old GM is an expert at his craft and understands that now probably isn’t the right time, unless a deal is just too good to pass up, to make a big splash. After all, he tends to work his best magic in the offseason.

Throw in the lack of appealing realistic targets — Bengals wideouts AJ Green and John Ross as well as Redskins veteran DE Ryan Kerrigan are probably the most feasible available options — and fans probably shouldn’t be demanding Ballard to pull a rabbit out of his hat.

Keefer gave the Colts a 10% chance at making a trade prior to Nov. 3 and we honestly think that’s the perfect number.

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