The Indianapolis Colts are 2-3, but should be 3-3 after playing the Tennessee Titans in Week 6. A potential playoff berth still hangs in the balance, and not making the postseason could result in massive organizational changes. That might mean no more Daniel Jones, too.
If Indy doesn't make the playoffs and general manager Chris Ballard and head coach Shane Steichen are let go, a new GM and coach would want to approach the team with their own vision. Part of the issue is that Indianapolis doesn't have a first-round 2027 NFL Draft pick, but let's assume the team trades back into that round.
That, of course, could be a must for a new general manager. To rebuild the team, first-round picks are needed. How Indy gets there isn't our concern here, but it could be a package that includes Sauce Gardner or Jonathan Taylor somehow.
Three NFL Draft picks that could reshape the future of the Indianapolis Colts
What the future holds with Daniel Jones could be quite different, though, especially if he continues to underwhelm this season. He is signed through 2027, but if the team releases Jones, Indy would save $38 million, enough to bring in a solid veteran, if only for the short term, while focusing on drafting the next long-term starter.
Assuming the Colts move up into the first round next year, the team wouldn't need to try to get a top-5 pick. A quality quarterback can be found a bit later in 2027, like one of the three that follow.
CJ Carr - Notre Dame
The 6'2" and 215-pound QB might be one of the most NFL-ready players at his position. He doesn't have the strongest arm, but he can still make throws to all three levels of the field, and he can throw receivers open. He doesn't turn the ball over and doesn't try to do too much.
He also has mobility and can throw on the run. He might not be Josh Allen, but he could become a high-end starter for a decade-plus and a quality leader. With a solid team around him, he could elevate his squad to consistent contender status.
Dante Moore - Oregon
Moore is a tick bigger than Carr at 6'3" and 220 pounds, but he's missed a couple of games after suffering a concussion in Oregon's fourth game. That it is taking so long for him to return is a bit concerning, but it shouldn't affect his NFL future.
There is seemingly little that Moore can't do. He has excellent arm strength and can run well. He also has good experience in one of the two best conferences in college football, and that should help prepare him for success in the league more quickly. He could be around the middle of the first round or later, a position that Indy should be able to move up to.
Austin Simmons - Missouri
Simmons might be a great choice if the Indianapolis Colts decide to move on from Daniel Jones, but they also sign a veteran as a bridge before replacing him with a younger player. Simmons is 6'4" and 220 pounds, but doesn't have a ton of starts in college. In other words, the team wouldn't want to potentially have Anthony Richardson 2.0 and make the mistake of starting him too early.
The Missouri quarterback has elite velocity and good touch. He's got solid speed, too, and appears to always be on the verge of making a big play. One of his few drawbacks is that he is left-handed, so that could lead to Indy reshaping its offensive line a bit.
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