NFL
By Bill Carroll
As the 2023 Colts NFL Trade Deadline plan of complete inaction played out, the silence was quiet loud, When a team does absolutely nothing at the NFL Trade Deadline, they are telling you two or three things. First, they do not see themselves as within striking distance of the Super Bowl. Also, they do not see themselves as a team that is need of rebooting and trading away their most attractive assets. Finally, it is quite clear that the 2023 Colts front office thinks that the future takes precedence over the present, but not so much that they are willing to become less competitive, in a still open AFC South.
2023 Colts NFL Trade Deadline: Players of Interest
Defense
I find it very difficult to believe that the 2023 Colts approached the NFL Trade Deadline without at least exploring the opportunity to bolster a pass-rush unit that features two players with four sacks, one with three and two players with two sacks. Danielle Hunter stayed put, prior to the NFL Trade Deadline, Montez Sweat was traded to the Chicago Bears. It is clear that for this to make sense the Bears must sign him long-term.
The contract talks will begin soon and you should not give up a second round pick for a short-term player. Sweat has a high-water mark of a nine sack season, in his career. As of now the Bears have 10 sacks as a team. Currently, I am assuming that they will continue to address this position in the draft and build around Sweat and those additions. Regarding his future here is Montez Sweat:
“Yeah, I mean, I’m not really into the contract talks,” Sweat said. “I don’t really know too much about leverage and all that stuff, I just want to consider everything around me before I make a decision.”
The other jewel in the Commanders crown of pass-rushers was Chase Young. The former second-overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft and AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year has been reunited with fellow, former Ohio State Buckeye Nick Bosa on the 49ers’ defensive line. The two pass rushers played together during the 2017 and early in the 2018 season. Young was traded for a compensatory third-round pick, the 49ers retained a pair of Round 3 selections.
The Colts initial 2024 Draft Pick, as of this moment, would be the seventh pick in the 1st round, if they were to improve their record in the second half, that becomes a later pick. Their other projected picks: in the 2nd #42, in round 3 #73, round 4 #108, in the 5th round #143, in round 6 #187 and in round number 7 pick #228. In Colts’ general manager Chris Ballard’s seven year tenure, 2022 was the only time the Colts made an in-season trade, (Nyheim Hines to the Bills for Zack Moss and a future 5th round pick, which became Will Mallory). So it’s not a shock that the 2023 NFL Trade Deadline, so little happened.
Corner-back
As I wrote previously, the 2023 Colts CB depth chart was quite callow: Isaiah Rodgers was suspended indefinitely, for betting on Colts games, then released. The vaunted rookie, Julius “Juju” Brents, has been good, when he is on the field, Darrell Baker Jr., Dallis Flowers, Tony M. Brown Jr. and Kenny Moore II round out the room. Moore is very solid in the slot, but after that it is a very mixed bag. Jaylon Jones may become the best option, he garnered a PFF score of 55.7.
2023’s NFL Trade Deadline came and left and the 2023 Colts’ CB depth chart is unchanged, but Brents may miss a few more weeks with a quadriceps injury. Darrell Baker Jr. has been extremely inconsistent and has a 30.1 PFF grade. Dallis Flowers is on injured reserve and Tony M. Brown Jr. is sporting a 30.1 PFF grade. Though Casey Heyward is 33 years-old and Kaiir Elam has issues of his own, depth is an issue.
Finally, The Bills traded for corner-back Rasul Douglas and a 2024 fifth-round pick from the Packers for a 2024 third-round pick. e fits the Colts’ physical and stylistic profile at the position. He is 29, but has a 75.2 PFF grade and his high marks for character and leadership. Since 2021, Douglas has six interceptions in the 4th quarter or OT, which ranks as the most among active corners in the NFL.
Offense
Before the NFL trade deadline, Jacksonville acquired Ezra Cleveland for a sixth-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Minnesota’s second-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, from Boise State, Ezra Cleveland played tackle for the Broncos in college, but the Vikings moved him to right guard for his rookie season before lining him up at left guard in 2021. He solidified that position making 45 consecutive starts. Here is Cleveland’s 2023 so far, by the numbers:
248 pass blocking snaps
10 pressures allowed
1 sack allowedHis 73.8 PFF grade ranks 8th/84 eligible guards via (@PFF_Jaguars)
“We’ve already got a good offensive line and Ezra can come in and give us really good depth,” Pederson said on the show. “It’s just a matter of getting him caught up. Getting him in the room with a really good offensive line. Guys like Brandon Scherff, he’s the leader in there, and Luke Fortner. Cam Robinson, Walker Little, these guys are just busting their tail every week.
“So getting a guy like Ezra, his caliber, we’ve got a starting type guard. It really solidifies our offensive line and makes us better.” via (@PatMcAfeeShow)
Cleveland was made available due to their recent signing of Dalton Risner. The 2023 Colts offensive line still boasts Quenton Emerson Nelson, who is great and Ryan Kelly, who is terrific, was selected to three consecutive Pro Bowls and has a sterling 83.5 from PFF. However the rest of the line is a bit less impressive. Will Fries has been above average, as has Braden Smith. Bernhard Raimann at left tackle has had the occasional struggle, but has mostly been very good.
Depth is where the 2023 Colts may regret hesitating at the NFL trade deadline. The other place where the 2023 Colts have an obvious need is tight end. As I discussed prior to the season. The 2023 Colts tight end room is athletic and young, but lacks anyone who resembles a proven commodity. The Commanders were wide opened for business, I wonder if they would have moved Logan Lamont Thomas Sr. for a day three pick. Thomas is 32, but still productive, pick 228 may have been enough.
NFL trade deadline moves are not always the right thing to do, but I wonder if the 2023 Colts will later regret not being buyers or sellers. Only time will tell.
