GM Chris Ballard claimed that Colts wanted to trade up for offensive talent from #15 pick

The Colts were active in trade talks trying to trade up from the 15th overall pick, but couldn’t find a willing trade partner.

According to general manager Chris Ballard, the Indianapolis Colts attempted to trade up from the #15th overall pick for a top offensive player, but were clearly unsuccessful in finding a willing trade partner—despite making “big offers” (via StampedeBlue’s Chris Shepherd).

Chris Ballard said that they tried to move up in the draft but that no one wanted to move back to #Colts spot at 15, despite making a big offer. pic.twitter.com/m7x0PMg7MS

— Chris Shepherd (@NFLscheme) April 26, 2024

This openness by Ballard suggests that some of the previous buzz about the Colts as one of the teams most aggressively attempting to trade up into the Top 10 may have been accurate.

However, it was all for naught because the Colts couldn’t find a taker willing to go back to #15—and one of the top three wideouts and/or Georgia tight end Brock Bowers were most likely the original targets.

Instead, the Colts selected UCLA edge Laiatu Latu, becoming the first defensive prospect chosen after the previous fourteen picks were all made by offensive players.

Well, if I were a betting man (which I am not), I believe the Colts will attempt to supply second-year starting quarterback Anthony Richardson with a wideout (most likely one with deep speed) on ‘Day 2’ of the 2024 NFL Draft.

So stay tuned, Colts fans—it appears like offensive help is on the way, even if it isn’t the ‘big fish’ that Indianapolis was expecting for early on.