The Indianapolis Colts ought to investigate trading for…
Jonathan Taylor against the Tennessee Titans: Limited?
Four Participants By the trade deadline, the Colts ought to trade away.
With the announcement that Sam Ehlinger, a second-year quarterback, will start going forward, the Colts seem to be beginning a rebuild. Which veterans ought to be moved by the team to begin this overhaul or rebuild?
The Indianapolis Colts have decided to start former sixth-round pick Sam Ehlinger at quarterback for the remainder of the season instead of the seasoned Matt Ryan. Throughout his career, Ehlinger has only made 19 appearances in snap counts.
Given how drastically the team’s direction has changed in a short period of time, it might be wise to begin selling off some veteran contracts. They could fully capitalize on this retooling to buy themselves some time, though it may be improbable given that Chris Ballard and Frank Reich are both vying for the same position.
Here are five players that the Colts should try to move by the November 1st trade deadline, regardless of whether it actually happens or not:
Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; September 25, 2022; Indianapolis At Lucas Oil Stadium in the second quarter, defensive end Yannick Ngakoue (91) of the Colts celebrates sacking quarterback Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs (not pictured). Required Credit: USA TODAY Sports/Marc Lebryk
© USA TODAY Sports/Marc Lebryk
1. Ngakoue Yannick
The most obvious move Yannick Ngakoue, a seasoned pass rusher, could make for a draft pick is what the Colts could make at the deadline. Having been dealt three times in his NFL career, Ngakoue is no stranger to trades.
Ngakoue was signed in 2022 with the intention of saving the Colts from the brink, but he has largely fallen short of expectations. He is currently rated by Pro Football Focus as the fourth-worst edge rusher in the NFL for run defense. Not only is he not making up ground as a pass rusher, but he is currently ranked 50th in pass rush win rate among starting edge rushers.
To put it briefly, Ngakoue has performed poorly as a run defender and as a pass rusher for the Colts. The best thing the Colts can do at the trade deadline is to ship him off for whatever they can get.
October 2, 2022, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA In the first half at Lucas Oil Stadium, Tennessee Titans linebacker Dylan Cole (53) stops Colts tight end Mo Alie-Cox (81) from scoring a touchdown.
Required Credit: IndyStar-USA/Jenna Watson NETWORK TODAY
2.) Mo Alie-Cox
Despite being a mainstay for the Colts since 2018, Mo Alie-Cox’s performance as the team’s starter has drastically declined this year. Alie-Cox appears to be one of the team’s worst overall deals, just months after agreeing to a three-year, eighteen million-dollar contract in the offseason.
It might be challenging to trade him, but given his potential as a pass catcher, I’m sure a team would take on his contract in exchange for a conditional late-round pick. Jelani Woods and Kylen Granson are the Colts’ best tight end options going forward, so the team can move on from having someone like Alie-Cox take snaps.
During the Colts mandatory mini-training camp on Tuesday, May 7, 2022, at the Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center in Indianapolis, Colts player Stephon Gilmore (5) runs drills. 18 Finals
© USA TODAY NETWORK/IndyStar/Michelle Pemberton
3.) Stephon Gilmore
Stephon Gilmore, the veteran cornerback, has been an incredible asset to the team this season, so his inclusion in this piece has nothing to do with his lackluster performance. He signed with the Colts in the offseason, but they’re just not the same team.
Although Gilmore is getting close to thirty years old, he is still a valuable player in the league who can perform well as a cover man. His services would be greatly appreciated by the Kansas City Chiefs, and I’m curious to know if the Colts could wrangle a day-two pick from one of the Super Bowl contenders.
On Sunday, October 16, 2022, during an Indianapolis Colts game at Lucas Oil Stadium against the Jacksonville Jaguars, safety Rodney McLeod Jr. (26) and linebacker Bobby Okereke (58) celebrated a defensive stop.
© Robert Scheer/USA TODAY NETWORK/IndyStar
4.) Bobby Okereke
Alright, so you might find this one surprising, but bear with me. Bobby Okereke, a linebacker, is nearing the end of his rookie contract. Meanwhile, the Colts are heavily investing in Shaquille Leonard to fill his place. It might be best to deal with Okereke now if the Colts can’t afford his contract this summer.
Although Okereke has been playing well for the Colts in 2022, Zaire Franklin and E.J. Speed’s recent play have given the team some depth at linebacker. Okereke might be somewhat expendable for this front office next season, given that the Colts will be paying out a lot of bad contracts.
Although I would personally prefer to hold onto Okereke for as long as possible, it makes sense to look into trading for him.
