- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 432,140
- Reaction score
- 44
Pro Football Focus mentioned the Indianapolis Colts as one of three teams that should be looking to trade back in the 2025 NFL draft.
"The easy priority players for Indianapolis at No. 14 are tight ends Tyler Warren and Colston Loveland and linebackers Jihaad Campbell and Jalon Walker," wrote Trevor Sikkema. "There is a chance only one of those four will be available when the Colts come on the clock, so perhaps they will feel their best draft strategy is to secure more picks in Rounds 2-4, as they have done many times in the past, as this class is deeper than it is top-heavy."
Unless Tyler Warren is available when the Colts are on the clock at pick No. 14, I think trading down makes a ton of sense for them.
For one, the Colts do have the ability to go in a variety of directions with thier first pick, which should provide them with several options when they are on the clock. This is always an important part of the equation when it comes to making a trade because the team still wants to make sure they can land someone who is rated highly on their big board.
Also, with seven draft picks, it's not as if the Colts are short on draft capital, but they have only three of those picks in the top 100 and there are several positions, including tight end, linebacker, offensive line, and defensive line, where Indianapolis could use some immediate impact help on the roster.
Now, this isn't to say that instant contributions can't be found on Day 3, but it obviously becomes less likely the deeper into the draft a team gets.
In addition to those important factors, with the strength of this year's draft class seemingly being in the heart of Day 2, where there is a lot of depth, being able to accumulate an additional draft pick in that range could be quite valuable as the Colts still look to round out their roster.
With all that said, as we know, pulling off a trade takes a second team. But finding that trade partner who wants to move up in the middle portion of Round 1 could prove to be difficult this year, says Ian Rapoport. With a lot of high-end talent on Day 2, teams may not be as willing to part with draft picks in that range.
Of course, when it comes to a draft day trade materializing, there are numerous variables in play. But at least from the outside looking in, the recipe for the Colts moving back in Round 1 does seem to exist.
"In six of Ballard’s eight drafts as a general manager, he has made more than one selection in the second, third or fourth round," added Sikkema. "That seems to be his sweet spot when it comes to roster building, helping him acquire players such as tackle Bernhard Raimann (career-high 85.1 PFF overall grade), running back Jonathan Taylor (87.1) and tackle Braden Smith (83.3) — all of whom were one of multiple picks in those rounds."
This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: 2025 NFL draft: PFF picks Colts as team that should trade back
Continue reading...
"The easy priority players for Indianapolis at No. 14 are tight ends Tyler Warren and Colston Loveland and linebackers Jihaad Campbell and Jalon Walker," wrote Trevor Sikkema. "There is a chance only one of those four will be available when the Colts come on the clock, so perhaps they will feel their best draft strategy is to secure more picks in Rounds 2-4, as they have done many times in the past, as this class is deeper than it is top-heavy."
Unless Tyler Warren is available when the Colts are on the clock at pick No. 14, I think trading down makes a ton of sense for them.
For one, the Colts do have the ability to go in a variety of directions with thier first pick, which should provide them with several options when they are on the clock. This is always an important part of the equation when it comes to making a trade because the team still wants to make sure they can land someone who is rated highly on their big board.
Also, with seven draft picks, it's not as if the Colts are short on draft capital, but they have only three of those picks in the top 100 and there are several positions, including tight end, linebacker, offensive line, and defensive line, where Indianapolis could use some immediate impact help on the roster.
Now, this isn't to say that instant contributions can't be found on Day 3, but it obviously becomes less likely the deeper into the draft a team gets.
In addition to those important factors, with the strength of this year's draft class seemingly being in the heart of Day 2, where there is a lot of depth, being able to accumulate an additional draft pick in that range could be quite valuable as the Colts still look to round out their roster.
With all that said, as we know, pulling off a trade takes a second team. But finding that trade partner who wants to move up in the middle portion of Round 1 could prove to be difficult this year, says Ian Rapoport. With a lot of high-end talent on Day 2, teams may not be as willing to part with draft picks in that range.
Of course, when it comes to a draft day trade materializing, there are numerous variables in play. But at least from the outside looking in, the recipe for the Colts moving back in Round 1 does seem to exist.
"In six of Ballard’s eight drafts as a general manager, he has made more than one selection in the second, third or fourth round," added Sikkema. "That seems to be his sweet spot when it comes to roster building, helping him acquire players such as tackle Bernhard Raimann (career-high 85.1 PFF overall grade), running back Jonathan Taylor (87.1) and tackle Braden Smith (83.3) — all of whom were one of multiple picks in those rounds."
This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: 2025 NFL draft: PFF picks Colts as team that should trade back
Continue reading...
