Indianapolis Colts GM Chris Ballard knew that he had a golden opportunity to cement his team as the unquestioned best squad in the AFC South after the rival Titans started to sell off their best pieces. Figuring out what to do with Carson Wentz had to be at the top of the priority list.
Ballard knew that he needed to get rid of Wentz despite his impressive statistics after his Week 18 collapse. Flipping him to the Commanders and pilfering Matt Ryan away from the Falcons preceded Ballard throwing it back to 2018 and hauling in one of the sport’s best draft classes.
Cincinnati receiver Alec Pierce got things started in the second round before Indianapolis brought in a freak athlete at tight end in Virginia’s Jelani Woods and found a new developmental offensive tackle for the future in Central Michigan’s Bernhard Raimann.
Not only did the Colts get a quarterback of a similar ilk to Ryan, but they managed to snag one of the best receivers in the draft in Pierce while pilfering a pair of second-round grades in Woods and Raimann during the third round. Ballard isn’t perfect, but he nailed it in this regard.
Ballard turning the wentz failure who they were going to cut and eat the $ into Matt ryan, Alec Pierce, jelani woods, Bernard raimann, and a future 2/3 is insane. Whatever you think about those 3 rookies colts were shocked to get any of them let alone all 3. Masterclass
— Maxx Hotton (@getinHottonhere) May 6, 2022
Chris Ballard has helped the Indianapolis Colts this offseason.
Pierce was a productive receiver at Cincinnati, but his athletic testing numbers made his selection in the second round a no-brainer. Woods literally tested as the most athletic tight end on record, and Raimann lasting as long as he did made no sense. Ballard aced the draft despite not having a first-round pick.
Ryan is going to have an armada of physically imposing receivers that are capable of doing damage down the field. With a robust offensive line, an upgrade at quarterback, and the financial flexibility that Ballard so clearly craves, don’t be surprised one bit if the Colts end up with double-digit wins.
Welcome to Lob City #Colts
— Primetime Sports (@Primetime2828) April 30, 2022
Jelani Woods - 6’ 7”
Mo Alie-Cox - 6’ 6”
Michael Pittman Jr - 6’ 4”
Alec Pierce - 6’ 3”
Ballard needs to be more aggressive in free agency, as the signing of Stephon Gilmore by itself is not enough to cancel out all of the promising skill position players that he did not bring to Indy. Still, it’s hard to be too critical of what he’s done (on paper, at least) this offseason.
Ballard’s progress could be undone if Ryan starts to show his age and is less statistically proficient than Wentz. If Ryan is anywhere close to what he has been in Atlanta over the last few years, though, Indy could go from stuck in the mud to a contender in just one offseason.
5 signings the Colts should make before OTAs
With the NFL Draft over and free agency nearing an end, there are still several high-profile players that would make a great addition to the Colts.