By now, everything you want to read about the possibilities of the Indianapolis Colts trading away Vontae Davis or T.Y. Hilton is out there for consumption. Even talk about Frank Gore is surfacing as well. Let’s be honest, there’s a handful of players who could be possible bargaining chips as the deadline approaches.
What we have no clue about right now, is how Chris Ballard will approach his first trade deadline as Colts General Manager.
Although Frank Gore, Vontae Davis, Donte Moncrief and a few others are in the final years of their contracts, it doesn’t mean that Ballard will deal them away for an arbitrary late-round, or conditional draft pick. Now, there has been confirmation that the Philadelphia Eagles have inquired about Gore — the team he originally backed away from to join the Colts — which could make sense for both sides. The Colts have Marlon Mack, Josh Ferguson, and Matt Jones on the roster. Sending Gore to a contender would be a good move for a mid-to-late round pick — and would serve as a favor to a player who was hoping for a chance to make a deep run in the playoffs.
Another team that makes sense could be the Seattle Seahawks. Their running game is putrid right now, and Gore would add some much needed pass protection behind a struggling offensive line.
A move for Gore is one that appears predictable and very well could be on the table. I don’t think you can trade away a receiver (Hilton) who has touched 1,000 yards in the last four seasons and led the league just a year ago. That makes no sense to me at all. A trade for Davis could also be predictable, as it would allow the Colts to gain something when a compensatory pick might not be rewarded if he signs elsewhere through free agency in 2018. But, we all see Davis’ shortcomings so you have to imagine that other teams do as well.
As much as Rashaan Melvin has the opportunity to become the next gaining-on-30 veteran for the Colts, his value couldn’t be any higher right now and had he not been concussed in Week 7, I wouldn’t have been a bit surprised to see the Colts taking calls for him. The team has a second-round cornerback they just drafted who isn’t getting on the field in Quincy Wilson, Pierre Desir is playing pretty well, and depending on who goes, you would still have a veteran opposite whoever starts when the other is traded away.
A move that hasn’t really been discussed much is a deal for Moncrief, who has massively failed to live up to his expectations in any sense of the word. Moncrief was a threat inside the 25-yard line last season, but was virtually invisible between the 20s. Maybe a change of scenery helps him and gives the Colts a draft pick they can use to find his replacement next season.
The Colts have Chester Rogers, Matt Hazel on the practice squad — for right now — as well as the possibility of Krishawn Hogan coming back to help with depth in 2018. If a package deal is needed to move him, I’d be all for it and I think most Colts fans would be as well.
Just to get it out of the way, the Colts aren’t going to trade Anthony Castonzo and if you hope they do, you should be ashamed of yourself.
The Colts are viewed as a team who should be selling, but I don’t think you can rule out Ballard proactively going after an addition if he sees one that is beneficial to the team’s future. What might that look like?
Maybe Carlos Hyde? And while we’re in San Fran, how about Aaron Lynch? Just spit-balling, but adding assets typically makes me happier than losing players.
I believe that nobody is safe or off of the table. At this point I’m good with just about anything. Chaos is welcomed just as long as it is controlled and nets the best possible return for the greater good of the organization to move in the right direction.
We don’t know what Ballard may, or may not decide to do. If were to guess right now, any of the above is possible. However, it’s very possible that none of it happens. In fact, I’d say it’s more likely that the Colts roster looks exactly the same on Wednesday as it does today.