The Colts vision to maximize each player through Steichen’s system

If an impact player is available when the Colts are on the clock, Steichen will discover how to maximize the rookie’s abilities in his system. 

Colts general manager Chris Ballard lectured to reporters on Friday, explaining how NFL teams cannot build a roster through free agency because “it is too expensive and does not last over time.”

Ballard stays true to his philosophy to build and develop a contender through the NFL draft. He mentioned the war room currently has between 19-21 prospects with first round grades. It will be his eighth draft class aiming to field the best team possible before laying all his chips into second-year head coach Shane Steichen. Ballard complimented Steichen’s vision to design an offense to compliment the skill set of a college prospect. If an impact player is available when the Colts are on the clock, Steichen will discover how to maximize the rookie’s abilities in his system.

Indianapolis structured the salary cap to retain and fit its core players through 2026, around the timeline of franchise quarterback Anthony Richardson’s rookie contract. The Colts reached three-year extensions with a trio of starters this offseason, including receiver Michael Pittman Jr., defensive tackle DeForest Buckner and linebacker Zaire Franklin. Defensive tackle Grover Stewart and nickel Kenny Moore II both entered free agency on the open market, but chose to resign to three-year deals.

There is a challenge when making a real-time executive decision based on a variety of factors. To combine team needs, pure skill, film, performance at the scouting combine, medical and mental testing when evaluating a prospect. Last April, Indianapolis found a hidden gem in the third round and drafted receiver Josh Downs with the 79th pick. The North Carolina speedster put together a historical rookie campaign in Indianapolis with 68 receptions for 771 receiving yards, setting the record for the most catches in a season by a rookie in franchise history.

“I will say this, I do think you’re going to see a lot of offensive players taken early in the first round,” Ballard told reporters at Friday’s press conference. “I’m not saying it’s a weak defensive draft, but it’s a really strong offensive draft, especially at the top of it.”

Ballard suggested the Colts may choose to trade down if executives in the war room agree there is value in acquiring more picks. The general consensus entering draft week is the demand for offensive skill players will lead one side of the football to dominate the top-half of the first round. Ballard has a track record of trading down during the draft and stated on Friday, “the more picks you have, the better chance you have to hit.” Ballard reminded reporters of the 2020 NFL Draft when the Colts moved up in the second round to select running back Jonathan Taylor with the 41st overall pick.

“When we see one that’s in striking distance that we think we can go get, we will do it, but it’s got to work out and then you have got to have somebody that wants to make the trade,” Ballard said.