Colts send encouraging wink to Pacers after NBA Draft

The NFL Draft is multiple months old already and the Indianapolis Colts are hopeful wideout Alec Pierce, tight end Jelani Woods, offensive lineman Bernhard Raimann and safety Nick Cross — who could step into a starting role after Khari Willis’ retirement — will help the team reclaim the AFC South crown in 2022.

Like most years, GM Chris Ballard received rave reviews for his showing, especially since he was down a first-round pick. In a vacuum, the Colts drafted readymade prospects with elite athleticism and compelling upside. Though Indy already had a playoff-caliber roster, these rookies should see heavy playing time in Year 1.

On Thursday night, it was the Indiana Pacers’ turn to follow in the Colts’ footsteps and turn in a strong draft performance.

When the dust settled, the Pacers kept trade candidate Malcom Brogdon and selected Arizona guard Bennedict Mathurin at No. 6 overall.

Having reaped the benefits of taking then-Notre Dame guard Quenton Nelson No. 6 overall back in 2018, the Colts showed their approval of the Mathurin pick in a clever tweet to the Pacers.

The Colts approve of the Pacers’ selection of Bennedict Mathurin.

It admittedly stings coveted Purdue guard Jaden Ivey came off the board one pick before the Pacers’ turn, but Mathurin is an exciting consolation prize. Not to mention, it was never expected Ivey would fall to the sixth pick anyway. In some order, the top five picks were long expected to be composed of Paolo Banchero, Chet Holmgrem, Jabari Smith, Keegan Murray and Ivey.

Like Nelson back in 2018, Mathurin is excellent value at No. 6 overall.

Of course, the Colts exploited the Jets’ desperation to land a quarterback after Cleveland shocked the world and took Baker Mayfield No. 1 overall. When the dust settled, New York moved one spot behind the crosstown rival Giants, who were determined to select Saquon Barkley second overall, and gave up a haul to do so: the No. 6 pick, two second-round picks that year and a 2019 second-rounder.

Drafting Nelson, a generational lineman in his own right, makes the trade a colossal win for Indianapolis. The fact Darnold fell on his face with New York is another huge W, but those other picks eventually became franchise right tackle Braden Smith, Kemoko Turay, Jordan Wilkins and Rock Ya-Sin.

Expecting Mathurin to fill Nelson’s shoes as a local superstar is unreasonable, but he’s an excellent fit on a Pacers team that’s at a crossroads with Brogdon and Myles Turner’s futures up in the air. Should Indiana find a trade partner for Brogdon this summer, the Arizona product could slot into the starting shooting guard role with elite playmaker Tyrese Haliburton shifting to his familiar point guard position in place of Brogdon.

Whatever happens, we need the two No. 6 picks to link up at some point in the next few months. Who knows? Maybe the Colts’ superstar will treat the Pacers’ rookie to some tickets for a game at Lucas Oil Stadium next season.

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