Everyone is expecting the Indianapolis Colts to select a quarterback in the 2023 NFL Draft, but what if Indy selected edge rusher Will Anderson?
The Indianapolis Colts absolutely need a quarterback. With the No. 4 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, ideally, the Colts will select one of the top quarterbacks in this draft class and he will be the franchise quarterback of the future. However, things don’t always go according to plan. With Indy having the No. 4 selection, the team’s pick will be largely decided by other teams.
The Carolina Panthers have already traded up to the No. 1 pick, and with the Houston Texans picking second, that’s likely two quarterbacks that will be selected before the Colts get on the clock. At No. 3 is the Arizona Cardinals, but since they have Kyler Murray, they could be willing to trade the pick to a quarterback-needy team. Hypothetically speaking, if a team jumps Indy and takes a QB at No. 3, Indianapolis will be on the clock after three quarterbacks were already chosen.
That's not necessarily a bad thing. The selections could shake out to where the No. 1 quarterback on the Colts’ draft board ends up falling right to them at No. 4. If that happens, Indianapolis would gladly select the QB and move on. But what happens if the top three QBs on Indy’s board are the first three taken? Should Indianapolis settle on its QB4 or should they select the best player available and draft a defensive talent like Will Anderson?
Should Colts select Will Anderson over QB4?
Many scouts believe that Will Anderson is the best player in the draft. The edge rusher from Alabama has been the best defender in college football for the last two seasons. With his combination of skill, leadership, and off-field character, some believe he’s the safest pick in this draft. All that’s to say that any team would love to add Anderson to their roster. However, when a team is as desperate for a quarterback as the Colts are, would drafting Anderson over a quarterback in the top five be a mistake?
This all depends on how Indianapolis evaluates whoever the QB4 is. If Indy believes the player has any upside and could develop into a quality starter, they obviously need to draft him. But if the Colts aren’t sold at all, it may not be a good idea to draft a quarterback you don’t believe in just because you need one. Drafting a quarterback that early means you have to be sure about him.
Chris Ballard has even said that’s how he views it as well, so it would be believable if Indy did go with Anderson. The biggest question is: when will the Colts be in this position again? They aren’t going to tank and they probably won’t lose enough games to have the No. 1 pick next season. So they’ll probably have to trade up to be picking this high again. Could that be a factor that forces Indy to just draft a quarterback regardless of how they feel about him?
Who knows. It’s best to just hope that the Colts are able to come away with a quarterback that they love in this year’s draft.
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