Ranking the 7 best trades made by Colts GM Chris Ballard

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Indianapolis Colts offensive guard Evan Boehm (67) walks off the field following an injuryn in the second half of their game at TIAA Bank Field on Thursday, Dec. 2, 2018. The Jacksonville Jaguars defeated the Colts 6-0. Indianapolis Colts Play The Jacksonville Jaguars /

#2 – Evan Boehm traded to the Dolphins (2019)

Evan Boehm came to the Colts in 2018 as a backup offensive lineman, and in 2019, he was moved to his fourth team in as many years.

The Colts were able to move Boehm and a 2020 seventh-round pick to the Miami Dolphins for the Dolphins’ 2020 sixth-round pick. At the time, it seemed like a very straightforward trade, that just got the Colts moved up to the sixth round for trading away a backup.

In the 2020 draft, the Colts traded that sixth-round pick along with the 75th overall pick in the draft for three more picks (85th, 149th, and 182nd) from the Detroit Lions. The Lions used the 85th pick to draft pro-bowl guard Jonah Jackson.

Later in the draft, the Colts traded away the 182nd pick to the New England Patriots in exchange for the 212th and 213th picks. The Patriots drafted guard Michael Onewnu with the 182nd.

Ballard walked away with a plethora of picks by moving up one round in the original trade. Just from the first trade, the Colts drafted Julian Blackmon, Danny Pinter, Dezmon Patmon, and Jordan Glasgow.

Even though Glasgow has not panned out and is a rotational player who sometimes sees the field, the other three have done well. Blackmon returned after an injury just four games into his rookie season.

Pinter is now earning a spot on the offensive line and will compete for a starting role this season. Patmon is a rotational piece in the wide receiver room that will likely see playing time more this year with the loss of Zach Pascal.

The Evan Boehm trade did a lot more for the Colts than most fans realize.

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