Colts: 3 Chris Ballard moves that will be under a microscope in 2021

The Indianapolis Colts wrapped up OTAs last week, which means they’ll go their separate ways for about a month before they return for training camp.

In other words, the Colts — aside from making one or two finishing touches — are likely finished formulating their roster for next season. Objectively speaking, their talent on both sides of the ball stacks up against some of the league’s best teams.

However, we can’t help but wonder what Indy’s ceiling would be if the front office wasn’t so reluctant to make a splash. This has led to GM Chris Ballard receiving more criticism than he’s grown accustomed to over his first four years, and rightfully so.

Taking that into account, it goes without saying that Ballard will feel even more heat from fans and the media if some of his offseason moves don’t pan out. In fact, most of them will be critiqued on a week-to-week basis next season.

These three Chris Ballard moves will be under a microscope in 2021.

3. Signing Eric Fisher

The Colts addressed their left tackle vacancy when they signed Eric Fisher, and the consensus opinion among fans is that this was a steal. After all, when healthy, the former longtime Chief is arguably the best pound-for-pound LT in the game.

However, it remains to be seen if Fisher will return to Pro Bowl form after he suffered a torn Achilles in the playoffs back in January. The Colts obviously wouldn’t have signed him if they weren’t OK with his physical, but this move still comes with great risk for Ballard.

After all, Fisher won’t be ready for the start of the season, which means Carson Wentz’s blindside will be protected by either one of Sam Tevi or Julie’n Davenport for the first few weeks. While those players are better depth options compared to what the Colts have had in recent years, they’ll be blocking for a quarterback who’s coming off the worst season of his career.

Chris Ballard will face the music if the Eric Fisher signing doesn’t pan out.

As far as Indianapolis’ alternative options are concerned, they could’ve pursued lower-risk guys like Trent Williams, Orlando Brown Jr., Charles Leno, or Alejandro Villanueva.

Instead, they signed somebody who’s suffered serious injuries in consecutive seasons after he went the first six years of his career without missing more than two games. For context, Fisher underwent core muscle surgery in 2019 that limited him to just eight games.

So, yeah, the Fisher move will be under a microscope.