Colts make blockbuster trade to level-up Anthony Richardson in this 2024 mock draft

This offseason, the Indianapolis Colts have done everything in their power to maintain the culture and continuity within their building.

It's been all about retaining good players and building upon their current core, and the Colts have done a great job accomplishing that goal. Now, it's on to the 2024 NFL Draft, where the Colts pick at no. 15 in the first round.

What if Chris Ballard and company opted to make a bold move in this one? Let's say a monumental trade up, but a necessary one in order to really help Anthony Richardson flourish?

The Colts make Anthony Richardson one happy man in this 2024 NFL mock draft

To kick off the first round, the Colts make a bold trade up with the Los Angeles Chargers. In this mock simulation via Pro Football Focus, it cost the Colts their no. 15 selection, their second rounder this year and a third-round pick next year.

Who's the pick?

The Colts go with a guy that many would call either the second-best or the best wide receiver in this draft class, in LSU's Malik Nabers. Between he and Marvin Harrison Jr. there have been plenty of heated debates about just who is WR1 in this class.

Nabers is in a class of his own, though, in terms of playmaking ability. There might be no one better, all-around at the receiver position, than Nabers. You want elite quickness? He's got it. You want the ability to make acrobatic catches? He's got it. How about the knack for taking the ball past the chains and into the end zone? Nabers has that, too. He's the complete package and a walking, talking big play.

Nabers is going to completely change the face of this offense, taking pressure off Michael Pittman Jr. and Jonathan Taylor, allowing this offense to truly go 3-men deep in terms of top-level playmakers. He's going to make life a lot easier on Richardson, too, which could help catapult the second-year pro into a whole different stratosphere, development-wise.