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

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.

2. OT Andre Dillard, Philadelphia Eagles

Dillard has started in just four games since the Eagles burned a first-round pick on him, and he already appears to be on his way out in Philadelphia after Jordan Mailata was handed a huge contract extension. Dillard might be rooted to the bench in Philadelphia…until someone like Ballard snatches him up.

Eric Fisher is coming off of an Achilles injury, and as we saw in the preseason (and Week 1…), the depth behind him is suspect. Dillard was picked as high as he was out of Washington State for a reason, and that pedigree could help make him a natural fit for this offense.

Could the Colts use Andre Dillard at left tackle?

Dillard came from an Air Raid offense and an Eagles attack that loved to throw the ball. If the Colts want to live and die by the arm of Wentz, look for Dillard to potentially end up in Indianapolis. Kick a Day 3 pick this year and a conditional selection next year to Philadelphia (again) and we’ve got a deal.

Fisher is a solid tackle, but his age and injury history mean that he has a very fixed ceiling on how much he can help the Colts in the future. Dillard’s lackluster time in Philly and injury issues of his own are worrying, but that pass protection skill might be enough to convince Ballard to add him.

1. LB Jamie Collins, Detroit Lions

The subset of teams that have good front sevens and are potentially looking to sell some solid players for draft picks is very small, but Dan Campbell and the Lions might be able to help Indianapolis make an improvement to their linebacking and pass rush depth chart with the addition of Collins.

Collins is a former Bill Belichick project, meaning he could drop back into coverage, hang around the line of scrimmage, and rush the passer when needed. With an interesting crop of linebacker prospects available in this draft, Collins could fill a variety of roles for Indianapolis if and when Detroit sells.

Jamie Collins would be a solid veteran addition at linebacker for the Colts.

Darius Leonard and Bobby Okereke are a fine linebacker duo, but they are not infallible, as evidenced by the fact they have combined to give up some big plays already this season. Kwity Paye and the pass rush barely laid a finger on Matthew Stafford. Collins won’t fix those deficiencies by himself, but he’ll help out just a tad.

The defense appears to be the larger issue, as the offense has several core members contributing well. Collins’ age means that he can be had without Indy giving up an obscene amount of picks to acquire him, while his pedigree suggests he could be a valuable switchblade for Indianapolis.

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