3 best moments from Colts behind-the-scenes Draft series: With the next pick
2. Colts realize they can draft Anthony Richardson
After the draft, Indianapolis made it clear that Anthony Richardson had been their guy for a while. That was clear throughout the episode as well. Everyone in the scouting department had been raving about Richardson and his unique abilities for weeks.
Entering Thursday night, the Colts had their mind made up on picking Richardson. However, things did get a bit tense, and Indianapolis wasn’t sure if Richardson would make it to No. 4. Ballard had decided to take a gamble and not trade up to No. 3. In the footage, when it was announced that the Arizona Cardinals traded the No. 3 pick, you could see the split second of disappointment where Ballard thought the gamble backfired.
The moment Chris Ballard knew AR was coming to Indy.#WithTheNextPick Part 2: https://t.co/NdnvmqnGhV pic.twitter.com/rDw7XCzfGf
— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) May 5, 2023
Ballard was deflated for a split second, then it was announced that the Houston Texans were the team that acquired the third-overall pick. Houston had just drafted CJ Stroud at No. 2, so everyone knew they were moving up for edge defender Will Anderson Jr.
When the trade was announced, the Colts’ draft room may have been more excited than the Texans were. Ballard’s face quickly shifted from disappointment to joy, and the room started to cheer and fist bump because they knew they were getting their guy.