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How the Colts can claim the No. 1 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft

By Justin Bauerle

Nov 12, 2022; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) drops to throw during the first quarter against the Indiana Hoosiers at Ohio Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 12, 2022; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) drops to throw during the first quarter against the Indiana Hoosiers at Ohio Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports /
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HOUSTON, TEXAS – SEPTEMBER 11: Indianapolis Colts quarterback Matt Ryan #2 is chased out of bounds by Houston Texans defensive tackle Maliek Collins #96 at NRG Stadium on September 11, 2022 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TEXAS – SEPTEMBER 11: Indianapolis Colts quarterback Matt Ryan #2 is chased out of bounds by Houston Texans defensive tackle Maliek Collins #96 at NRG Stadium on September 11, 2022 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) /

Hosting the Chargers on Monday Night Football

With a primetime loss, the Colts could end the week with the first overall pick if the perfect storm happens. At this point in the draft, the only teams standing between the Colts at No. 4 and the first pick are the Texans, Saints, and Bears. One of which needs a quarterback, and the other two are in prime trade positioning (Eagles and Bears).

Another tall order here, the Texans head to Tenessee, where they were able to get a win on the road last season with a better Titans offense. The Bears host the Bills, who could easily beat or lose to the Bears. Lastly, the Saints head to the Browns where they could do the same thing as the Bears.

This is an achievable week for the perfect storm to happen and for the Colts to climb to the first overall pick.

Minor setback for an epic comeback

So there’s an issue here for the Colts, even with a loss to the New York Giants, the Colts will fall if the Texans lose to the Jaguars. What’s a true NFL season for the Colts if the Jaguars don’t spoil Indianapolis’ postseason/offseason plans?

Let’s just say, for now, the Texans lose to the Jaguars and the Colts lose another on the road. This puts both the Colts and Texans at 4-11-1 on the season, tied for the No. 1 pick in the NFL draft, leading to an epic Week 18 showdown between the two teams.

The rest of the league doesn’t quite matter at this point. Sitting behind the Colts are the Seahawks (via Broncos), Eagles (via Saints), Steelers, and Bears, who are all doing either fine or have their franchise QB. The Seahawks are a wildcard here if they plan to go QB in this draft, though.

The epic finale of the season lands the first overall pick

It seems like the Colts are just a few years removed when the Colts vs. Titans season finale was flexed to Sunday Night Football and the winner won the division, but the loser missed the playoffs.

Now, this season’s finale includes the loser getting the first overall pick and the winner getting the No. 5 pick. How is this game perceived by the teams and the fans? Do fans root for the rival? Do the teams try winning for their future employers or lose to help the franchise?

Is this enough intrigue to get this game pushed into primetime and call it the Tank Bowl? The losing team gets their franchise quarterback of the future. The winner (loser) potentially misses out on either C.J. Stroud or Bryce Young altogether as Seattle has the opportunity to draft the other.

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