Colts: 3 trades Chris Ballard should already be eyeing to save season

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - SEPTEMBER 29: General manager Chris Ballard of the Indianapolis Colts (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - SEPTEMBER 29: General manager Chris Ballard of the Indianapolis Colts (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
1 of 3
Michael Ojemudia, Colts
May 24, 2021; Englewood, Colorado, USA; Could Colts GM Chris Ballard get Denver Broncos cornerback Michael Ojemudia (13)? Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

The Indianapolis Colts have not started the season off on the right foot, as they lost two straight games to the Seahawks and Rams, while the division favorite Tennessee Titans took home a crucial victory ahead of a pivotal Week 3 matchup. This can’t be what Chris Ballard envisioned for this team.

The Colts have seen Carson Wentz once again engage in roller-coaster play, all while the offensive line starts to erode and the defense looks much less robust than they did in prior seasons. Ballard needs to do something to shake this roster up.

The cornerbacks haven’t performed, the linebackers have struggled in coverage, and the line hasn’t protected Wentz. While the trade for Wentz left them without a few Day 2 selections, they have enough picks and players needed to potentially make one more big addition before the deadline.

Ballard needs to trade for one of these three players, as failing to do so could allow teams like the Titans in a week or the Ravens in primetime to once again exploit Indianapolis and send them tumbling down the standings.

3 trade targets Colts GM Chris Ballard must consider adding…quickly.

3. CB Michael Ojemudia, Denver Broncos

Ojemudia was a man of contrasts during his rookie season. On one hand, he showed that he can break up passes and make plays on the ball. On the other, the Iowa alum was never particularly fast, and he has had issues when it comes to containing some of the quicker receivers out there.

While currently on the mend due to a hamstring injury, Ojemudia might find it hard to get on the field this year, as Kyle Fuller, Bryce Callahan, and rookie Patrick Surtain II will eat up a ton of snaps at cornerback. Could Denver look to get a draft pick in exchange for someone without a very prosperous long-term future with the Broncos?

Michael Ojemudia could be a quality backup corner for the Colts.

Xavier Rhodes has yet to make his debut in 2021, and while Kenny Moore has only been slightly less effective than we are used to seeing, the combination of TJ Carrie at corner and Khari Willis at safety was a nightmare in coverage, especially in their matchup against Tyler Lockett and Seattle.

Ojemudia, when healthy, could be another young defensive back worth developing. Considering the success Moore and Julian Blackmon have had, the Colts have shown that they can develop talent in the modern NFL at this position. If Ojemudia gets frozen out, Indy should throw him a lifeline to beef up the defense.

Schedule