As the NFL enters the second week of free agency, Bleacher Report argues that the Indianapolis Colts should trade one of their veteran players.
The Indianapolis Colts started the new league year by trading cornerback Stephon Gilmore to the Dallas Cowboys. Indy also released Matt Ryan and lost Parris Campbell and Bobby Okereke in free agency. With a first-year head coach, and soon a rookie quarterback, there’s a belief that the Colts should just go ahead and move other veterans and embrace a rebuild.
It’s unclear if that’s the path Indianapolis wants to take, but the franchise is at a crossroads of sorts. Indy still has several talented players on the roster, and with a few calculated moves, Indy could be competitive next season. However, the Colts also have players like DeForest Buckner, Ryan Kelly, and Kenny Moore that they could decide to trade if they wanted to go full rebuild mode.
As the league waits to see what direction Chris Ballard and the organization will go, some are already making the case for Indy to trade a specific veteran. Maurice Moton of Bleacher Report recently named eight players that must be traded this offseason. One of those players was Indy’s center, Ryan Kelly.
Bleacher Report says Colts must trade Ryan Kelly
Moton references the ESPN piece that said Indy was shopping both Kelly and tight end Mo Alie-Cox, and also explained why it would make sense for Indianapolis to follow through and actually trade Kelly. Moton argued that between Indianapolis having a new coaching staff, and Kelly’s $27 million cap hit over the next two seasons, the Colts could be giving serious thought to move Kelly.
Moton also named the New York Jets as the perfect team for Ryan Kelly. With Aaron Rodgers likely on the way to New York, Kelly could be the one snapping him the ball.
The Colts, along with the rest of the NFL, are probably waiting for a couple of more moves to happen before it’s decided if Ryan will be moved or not. For Indianapolis, moving Ryan’s contract sounds good, but the bigger question is who will replace Kelly? Even though Kelly’s play declined last season, he was still Indy’s best option at center. Downgrading just for money purposes isn’t going to help Indy be competitive next season. Unless the Colts can find an adequate replacement, Ryan Kelly should be on the roster next season.
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