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Draft expert predicts Colts trade up to No. 1 but for which quarterback?

By Jaleel Grandberry

Dec 11, 2021; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Heisman candidates Alabama Crimson Tide Bryce Young (left) and Ohio State' Buckeye C.J. Stroud (center) and Pittsburgh Panthers quarterback Kenny Pickett talk with ESPN Game Day before the game between the Army Black Knights and the Navy Midshipmen at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 11, 2021; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Heisman candidates Alabama Crimson Tide Bryce Young (left) and Ohio State' Buckeye C.J. Stroud (center) and Pittsburgh Panthers quarterback Kenny Pickett talk with ESPN Game Day before the game between the Army Black Knights and the Navy Midshipmen at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports /
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In one of the latest mock drafts, a draft analyst sees the Indianapolis Colts trading up to the No. 1 spot to select a quarterback.

While two teams prepare for a Super Bowl, the other 30 teams in the league are already preparing for the offseason. For the Indianapolis Colts, that preparation looks like a never-ending coaching search and a top-five pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. While the Colts have plenty of other offseason tasks to tend to, the decisions made at the top of the draft will garner the most attention. What quarterback does Indy want to draft and is the team willing to attempt a trade-up to select them?

ESPN’s draft analyst, Matt Miller, answered this in his most recent two-round mock draft. Miller predicted that Indy would be able to negotiate a trade for the No. 1 pick with the Chicago Bears. Based on conversations Miller has had with people in the league, he believes in order to get the deal done, the Colts could send the Bears the Nos. 4 and 35 picks from this year’s draft as well as a 2023 fourth-round pick and a 2024 third-round pick. Chicago, of course, would be sending Indy the No. 1 pick.

Miller believes with that pick, Indianapolis would select Alabama quarterback, Bryce Young. Miller acknowledges that Bryce Young is considered undersized but also argues that he’s “the best— and most pro-ready —passer in this class.” Miller also compares his skill set to Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow.

Colts trade up for Bryce Young in latest mock draft

This is an outcome that should excite Indianapolis fans and one that should be very good for the franchise. Indy gets arguably the best quarterback in the draft and the trade package isn’t too much. The Colts were able to make the trade without moving any players and only one first-round pick, which is really more so a pick swap. A second-, third-, and fourth-round pick is a very reasonable exchange to move up to the No. 1 pick.

As far as Bryce Young, he showed that he was a baller during his time at Alabama and his film speaks for itself. If Indy has any concerns about his size, the team should just be motivated to build around him properly. Give Young a quality offensive line and weapons to get the ball to. If that’s done effectively, Young should be just fine in the NFL.

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