The Indianapolis Colts seem to have had a very good draft, even while not having a first-round pick. General manager Chris Ballard deserves credit for what he was able to do, and ESPN's Mel Kiper gave Indy a B+ grade for who they chose. But one major issue still exists.
It might be something that Ballard can't control, even though he most certainly wishes he could. The problem is that two players who don't want to be on the team and have requested trades, Anthony Richardson and Kenny Moore, are still on the team now that the draft is over.
The best time to move on from the quarterback and cornerback would have seemingly been just before or during the draft. This way, whatever draft capital Indy received could have been put to immediate use. The lack of movement also implies that not many teams are interested in Richardson or Moore.
After the 2026 NFL draft, the Indianapolis Colts are still stuck with Anthony Richardson and Kenny Moore
In his post-draft press conference, Ballard gave a two-word answer about any potential discussions about dealing the players: "Not yet."
Fans probably shouldn't hold Ballard too accountable for not dealing with the QB and CB. The truth is that he might not have many valid offers. If someone, for instance, were to offer a single seventh-round selection for Richardson, should Ballard take it just to rid the team of the underperforming quarterback? No.
The same might not be said of Moore, though. He offers no positional flexibility and can only play slot corner. He will also be 31 years old when the 2026 season begins, so he isn't going to give a prospective trade partner a long-term option. This limits what Indy can get in return.
One would assume (though potentially incorrectly because of how ownership has handled the situation so far) that the Indianapolis Colts need to make the postseason, as well as possibly win the AFC South, for Chris Ballard and head coach Shane Steichen to keep their jobs. This means building a winning culture.
That is more difficult to do if a team has two players who obviously don't want to be there. Anthony Richardson and Kenny Moore saying something in the locker room that is anti-team is unlikely, but just like any workplace, if other employees know someone wishes they weren't there, it can affect the overall vibe.
Richardson and Moore could still get traded, of course, but the value gained will probably be small, and might not be able to be used until the 2027 draft. Keeping them on the team shouldn't be an option, though.
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