Who was the Colts best offseason acquisition: Matt Ryan, Yannick Ngakoue, or Stephon Gilmore?
The Indianapolis Colts added big names this offseason with Matt Ryan, Yannick Ngakoue, and Stephon Gilmore but which was the best acquisition?
This offseason, it was evident the Indianapolis Colts were determined to bring in the necessary pieces to get better. After an embarrassing Week 18 loss that cost the team the playoffs, change was needed. The Colts started that change by trading cornerback Rock Ya-Sin to the Las Vegas Raiders to acquire Yannick Ngakoue.
Shortly after, Indianapolis sent some draft picks to the Atlanta Falcons to bring veteran quarterback Matt Ryan to Indy. The Colts would conclude their major offseason moves by signing Pro Bowl corner, Stephon Gilmore, to a two-year contract. With these three veterans now in Indianapolis, they have already been leading.
Matt Ryan has impressed everyone with his on-field ability and his commanding leadership, and Yannick Ngakoue has attacked every practice with infectious energy while quickly immersing himself in the Indianapolis community. Meanwhile, Stephon Gilmore has looked like the version of himself that won Defensive Player of the Year in 2019.
With all three acquisitions returning great early results, which one can be considered the best offseason move for the Colts? Alex Ballentine of Bleacher Report answered that in a recent article looking at the best offseason move for every team. For Indy, Ballentine named the trade for Yannick Ngakoue as the team’s best move of the offseason.
Yannick Ngakoue named best offseason acquisition for Colts
Ballentine believes that the Matt Ryan trade will be the most impactful for Indianapolis but argues the impact could be good or bad. Ngakoue, however, is the best move because he’s guaranteed to improve the pass rush for Indianapolis.
Highlighting how much the Colts struggled to get after the quarterback last season, Ballentine contrasted that with Ngakoue’s consistency in rushing the passer. With Ngakoue now added to a line with Pro Bowl defensive tackle DeForest Buckner and emerging talent Kwity Paye, Indy should be able to finally have a quality pass rush.
While there may be a debate about which was the best move for Indy this offseason, the Colts are lucky to have made all three moves. Each was necessary and all three players should play a big part in Indy’s success this season.
