The Indianapolis Colts, who have improved themselves during the offseason, head into the 2020 NFL Draft with several needs.
The virtual draft is scheduled for April 23 to 25, 2020, and there are many quarterbacks to choose from.
However, in Friday’s pre-draft media session, Colts general manager Chris Ballard said:
“It’s gotta be the right guy, the right fit for us, and for our staff and for our organization. So I don’t know when it’s gonna happen: maybe this year, maybe next year, maybe two years from now. I don’t know. And I’m not gonna force it — much to everybody’s dismay, and it might drive everybody nuts, but I’m not gonna force that issue. When we decide to take one up that we think’s going to be the future guy of this franchise, you gotta be right.”
Colts fans may be saddened to hear that the organization may not be finding its franchise quarterback in 2020.
With the draft around the corner, many Colts fans have been reminiscing recently:
22 years ago today, the Indianapolis Colts drafted some quarterback from Tennessee. pic.twitter.com/mukyLiR7Ea
— Tom James (@TJamesIndState) April 18, 2020
On April 18, 1998, at the Madison Square Garden Theatre, the Colts drafted Peyton Manning first overall.
The NFL superstar won Super Bowl XLI, along with the Super Bowl MVP award, with Indianapolis.
The Colts, who signed 38-year-old Philip Rivers during the offseason, are hoping to catch magic in a bottle.
Indianapolis is taking a chance at quarterback with Rivers because he will only be the team’s short-term solution.
Although Rivers will not be the quarterback that the 14-time Pro Bowler Manning was, the Colts are looking for him to lead them to a bounce-back year.
The 2019 Colts went 7-9 and finished 16th in the NFL in points per game.
Plans for the 2020 NFL Draft
Heading into the NFL draft, the Colts have players they can trade up for.
There are some quarterbacks that could be future Colts, and head coach Frank Reich likes the idea of winning now:
Frank Reich weighing the Colts’ aggressive moves in F.A. vs. Chris Ballard’s stated goal of building for the long haul.
“It’s important to win now. We wanna win now. Our fans expect us to win now.”
Adds that they’re “always looking hard at the quarterback spot in the draft.”
— Zak Keefer (@zkeefer) March 31, 2020
Many suspect that Reich will not be utilizing backup quarterback Jacoby Brissett as the future of the franchise.
Therefore, the head coach will hope to see a quarterback drafted.
Jacob Eason, who is Mel Kiper’s quarterback pick for the Colts, has the arm strength that could be very useful in Indianapolis.
The Colts also have the third-highest odds of drafting Utah State’s Jordan Love.
Both of these quarterbacks expect to be first-round selections though.
With the Colts not having any current first-round selections for the 2020 draft, Ballard may be referring to these quarterbacks as not being on the team’s big board.
Since Ballard does not want to “force” the situation, the Colts may have to balance Reich’s win-now approach and the organization’s long-term process.
Although Indianapolis would have to trade up for Eason and Love, Georgia quarterback Jake Fromm could be selected with draft pick No. 34 or No. 44.
If the 2018 NCAA leader in touchdown passes is scooped up before the Colts’ No. 34 pick, then the team may have to go away from a quarterback selection.
With that in mind, the Colts could use their two second-round selections to sure up the offense around Rivers.
Chase Claypool, Justin Jefferson, Isaiah Hodgins, and Denzel Mims are all wide receiver options for the Colts.
Later in the draft, Indianapolis could also help with the kicking position: 2019’s best kicker Rodrigo Blankenship would be an intriguing selection.
The Colts also have the chance to draft cornerback Luqman Barcoo and defensive lineman Jonathan Garvin to help the defensive side of the football.
There are many ways that the Colts can decide to go with their seven draft selections; they can select a quarterback and they can trade multiple picks.
The 2020 draft is full of possibilities for Ballard and the Colts.
NEXT: Bold Prediction: Indianapolis Colts Land Jordan Love