The Indianapolis Colts must be prepared to outbid competing, quarterback-needy teams for the No. 3 pick, but who are those potential suitors?
Ever since the Carolina Panthers traded all the way up to the No. 1 pick from pick 9, the Indianapolis Colts have since entered a mindset that could have them picking the fourth-best QB in the class. At the end of the day, the Colts could walk away with their QB1 while not having their pick of the litter, however, it's incredibly unlikely for that to happen.
The current beholders of the No. 3 pick, the Arizona Cardinals, seem perfectly content with either going BPA (best player available) or holding an old-fashioned bidding war for their pick. As far as Indianapolis is concerned, a one-spot move-up from pick four to pick three could allow a touch more flexibility, as this hypothetical change in draft order could be the difference in QB2-QB4.
What I mean by that is it has been heavily rumored in recent days that, with a scenario where Alabama's Bryce Young goes No. 1 overall, Houston could forego quarterback altogether with their first pick of the draft.
If that indeed happens, the Colts could end up picking from three QBs, potenially from No. 4 overall. However, if you've already tested fate by sticking at No. 4 knowing there's a good chance of getting the runt of the litter, why test it a second time? Indy could bypass a second wave of uncertainty (i.e., waiting at No. 4 even after Houston elects to go non-QB), by moving up one spot and securing QB2 of the draft. Here's a look at who they would have to outbid for No. 3 overall, regardless of scenario:
5. Colts must outbid the Tennessee Titans
The Colts' biggest inter-divisional rival, the Tennessee Titans, aren't the biggest threat to Indy, logistically-speaking, however, they do warrant serious contention of a massive trade-up, à la the Carolina Panthers just months ago.
The Titans have brought in Ran Carthon, a former Indianapolis Colt, to become their new general manager after abruptly firing their last GM, Jon Robinson, towards the end of last season. This firing was a likely due to a culmination of things, however, the final nail in Robinson's coffin seemed to be not paying AJ Brown as he promptly shipped him off to Philly on (2022) draft night.
The Titans have seemingly blown up their roster since Carthon was annointed, cutting roster mainstays left and right. With Ryan Tannehill still on the roster, and with 2022's QB3 Malik Willis set to take over, questions as to why the Titans would do such a thing are warranted.
First time general managers like Carthon like to get the ball rolling sooner rather than later, and bringing in a franchise QB to call your own sounds like a route worth exploring. It's an expensively steep requirement though, moving up eight spots to a top-3 pick. Don't get comfortable though Colts fans, if you're in your own end zone with a chance to take the lead, chances are a left-handed shovel pass could zip right past you as you watch your rivals celebrate.
4. Colts must outbid the Las Vegas Raiders
The Las Vegas Raiders have somewhat blossomed into being contenders for a move-up into the top 5. Once sleepers for such a move, the Raiders are now nappers. They have since released Derek Carr and suplemented said loss with a Jimmy Garoppolo addition, but the opportunity for a rookie QB remains. The Raiders currently sit with the 7th-overall pick in the first round of the draft.
Although Garoppolo was signed to a three-year deal, the Raiders could still choose to go the rookie QB route. They have a veteran leader ready to lead said rookie and show him the ropes of what a successful NFL quarterback looks like. The rookie would be allowed to sit and learn before being thrown into the fire.
Even after trading Pro Bowl TE Darren Waller away, the Raiders still have one of the better WR duos in the league with Davante Adams and Hunter Renfrow. Not to mention the QB-centric HC they have in Josh McDaniels (hiss) who has a solid history with elevation in QB play (hiss pt. 2).
Even with their solid bunch of offensive threats, Jimmy Garoppolo on a three-year deal still questions a trade-up for Las Vegas. However, a move for a QB actually makes a lot of sense when you factor in Garoppolo's injury history. Be on the lookout for the Raiders to avenge their 2022 selves after the only win in the Colts' Jeff Saturday as HC era was against them.
3. Colts must outbid the Atlanta Falcons
The Atlanta Falcons are a sleeper team to watch as they possess the No. 8 pick, one spot back from the Raiders. Atlanta remains a question mark for as far as what they want to do with the eighth pick goes. There have been talks about the Falcons adding a quarterback, a running back, a receiver, and defensive players.
The Falcons are reportedly all-in on second year quarterback Desmond Ridder, who sat behind veteran Marcus Mariota for most of his rookie campaign, eventually starting four games and coming away victorious in two of those contests. They have retooled what feels like their entire defensive unit but their offense remains untouched.
Could Ridder be Atlanta's guy? Absolutely, but with the aforementioned four starts under his belt, the jury is still out on whether or not he is even a guy, let alone their guy.
Indianapolis is likely hoping for the Falcons to remain content with rolling with Ridder for the forseeable future, but there's always a chance some team, in this case Atlanta, does the unthinkable. Regardless if the Falcons enter the No. 3 overall sweepstakes, they remain a viable threat.
2. Colts must outbid the Seattle Seahawks
The Seahawks are coming off a year where they genuinely could say they fleeced the Denver Broncos in the blockbuster trade the sent longtime Seahawk and Super Bowl Champion, Russell Wilson, to the Mile High City. Veteran QB Geno Smith stepped in as the team's starter and went absolutely ballistic, leading the league in completion percentage en route to a comeback player of the year nod, all while receiving MVP votes.
The Seattle Seahawks currently sit at pick No. 5 and have exclusively been mocked as a team to take the best defensive lineman available. They don't feel like a team who would go QB after re-signing their Pro Bowl signal caller to a massive 3-year extension. However, always remember, never say never.
As a roster, the Seahawks still lack top talent at key positions, so the re-signing of Smith may serve as a band-aid to alleviate pressure to rebuild. On the flip side, like Las Vegas, the continued emergence of Smith is by no means a certainty. Whereas in Vegas where their uncertainty relies on the questionable availabilty of their veteran QB, Seattle putting all of their eggs in Smith's basket may come back to bite them.
To be fair, in order to trade up to No. 3 from No. 5, they would likely have to mortgage their future draft capital away to do so since the Arizona Cardinals, an inter-divisional rival, currently sit at that spot. Regardless, look out for Seattle to potentially trade-up to usher in their next franchise QB under one of the most optimistic and driven veteran QBs this league has seen in quite some time.
1. Colts must outbid the Detroit Lions
Similarly to the recently laid-out example in the Seattle Seahawks, the Detroit Lions saw a resurgence in play from their starting QB, the former No. 1 overall pick, Jared Goff. The Lions hold the No. 6 pick in the NFL draft and could end up with a QB at that spot, but if they come to the conclusion that one of the top four QBs is their guy, they could move up three spots to groom their next franchise QB.
Goff led one of the most explosive offenses in the NFL last year and their overall resilience as a team silenced doubters far and wide. Although, being one of the youngest teams in the league, they (the Lions) could very well follow suit with said theme and elect to go QB in this year's draft.
It's not as steep of a hypothetical trade-up like that of the Seahawks, despite being one spot back from them, but with Goff only having two years left on his contract, watch for the Lions to make a big move as they bet on the one to four year window (assuming Goff is there for at least one more season) of a young QB on his rookie deal.