TAKING STOCK: 2022 INDIANAPOLIS COLTS

BY ADAM GREENE

There were two big quarterback trades in the 2021 offseason and the Indianapolis Colts were involved in the one that didn’t turn out quite as well. Indianapolis got former No. 2 overall pick Carson Wentz and because he took the majority of their starting snaps last season, the compensation for him became a first round pick for the Philadelphia Eagles.

Wentz showed at times exactly why he was drafted so high out of North Dakota State and was in the 2017 MVP race. He also showed at times exactly why the Eagles wanted to shove him out the door while getting his head coach, Doug Pederson, fired. The Colts faced a win and you’re in playoff scenario playing at the lowly Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 18 and were never really even in the game.

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS

2021-22 Record: 9-8, second place AFC South

Playoffs: N/A

NOW WHAT?

Every indication out there is that the Colts are moving on from Wentz and will be highly involved in the upcoming quarterback sweepstakes. Three names top that list — Aaron Rodgers, Russell Wilson and Deshaun Watson. Normally, with a guy like Watson, you’d expect the Houston Texans to look for trade partners outside the AFC, but Houston’s recent trade history can’t be called “smart.” And since there’s no way they expect to compete for anything realistic next season, they’ll listen to and take the best offer, even from a team in their own division.

If none of those three wind up in a Colts uniform, don’t be surprised to see Jimmy Garoppolo land in Indianapolis. His talents fit what they do on offense almost perfectly and he’ll be significantly cheaper to attain.

FREE AGENCY

If they can’t work a trade for a real name, they might stick with Wentz, but bring in a guy like Mitchell Trubisky or Marcus Mariota as insurance and a potential starter. The Colts have plenty of cash to spend, currently $36.399 million over the salary cap. They have guys possibly exiting the building they should really think about keeping like left tackle Eric Fisher and Colts all timer TY Hilton.

With no first round pick, they need to be aggressive in landing another pass catcher in free agency and Allen Robinson would be a godsend.

DRAFT

Indy won’t make its first selection, barring a trade, until Day Two at No. 47 overall. On a team that led the NFL in Pro Bowl nods, they don’t have a lot of holes outside of the obvious one behind center. That means they can look at the best player available and should still be able to nab a starter at that spot. Drake Jackson, edge rusher out of USC, Darian Kinnard, offensive lineman out of Kentucky and Kyler Gordon, cornerback out of Washington, all make a lot of sense there.

AFC SOUTH

Unless something catastrophic happens with the Tennessee Titans, they should once again be the class of this division. That is, unless the Colts can pull off one of the QB trades mentioned above. I don’t see anything better than a Wild Card with Wentz, but if you put Russell Wilson on this team, they’re a legit Super Bowl contender.

Follow Adam Greene on Twitter @TheFirstMan.

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