Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard gets a lot of praise for some of his roster-building. This would seem somewhat illogical as his rosters have not produced a playoff appearance since 2020, and only two since he took his post in 2017. Maybe that's because he keeps whiffing at two key positions.
One is clearly at quarterback. Ballard took Anthony Richardson with the fourth overall pick in the 2023 draft, and that obviously hasn't worked out. Instead, the team keeps starting free agents it has picked up, many of the older variety.
The other spot is at edge rusher, where Ballard has rarely hit. 2024 first-round choice Laiatu Latu might be one of the few wins, but Latu also needs more help this coming season than what Indianapolis appears to currently have on the team. Arden Key is fine, and the hope is that Jaylahn Tuimoloau might one day be good.
Chris Ballard has a chance the Indianapolis Colts cannot afford for him to pass up
The problem for Ballard is that he may not have time to wait for Tuimoloau to be good. If the Colts don't make the playoffs this coming season, the general manager should be out of his job. What other GM in the NFL could spend 10 seasons not winning their division, and only making the postseason twice, and still be employed?
Ballard needed to be far more aggressive in adding talent at needy positions after saving some money by re-signing Alec Pierce and Daniel Jones. Bringing back one's own players should not be an offseason make. Instead, bringing back those guys while adding talent from other teams is necessary.
The positive part for the general manager is that he still has time to find Latu some high-end help. Jadeveon Clowney and Joey Bosa are still free agents, for instance. So is Von Miller. Those players come with risk, of course, but their best is far better than anyone else on the Indianapolis Colts roster, not named Laiatu Latu.
Indy's defense could be terrifically better in the new season. Sauce Gardner will be around for a full season, and Charvarius Ward and DeForest Buckner will likely stay healthier. CJ Allen will allow the inside linebacker group to be more athletic. Defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo has all the tools he needs.
But he could use even more. Chris Ballard has to address the edge rusher position while he has a chance to do so. The team has $31,996,674 left to spend in free agency, according to Spotrac, seventh-most in the NFL. More than enough to add Clowney, Bosa, or Miller, or even two of them.
The Indianapolis Colts must make the playoffs this coming season. Chris Ballard needs to simply do a bit more to help the team get there.
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