Coming off of a dismal 4-12-1 season, Chris Ballard became Public Enemy #1 in the eyes of a Colts fanbase that became tired of weak motivational quotes and empty promises. Phrases like “Chopping Wood” and “Climbing Mountains” became the norm for a team that went out on the field weeks after week with little to no energy and unmotivated, at times. Based on this past regular season, this offseason had to be different from previous seasons, right?
Fast forward to Free Agency, Chris Ballard, a.k.a. “Bargain Bin Ballard” didn’t resign in-house guys like Bobby Okereke and Parris Campbell, traded away Stephon Gilmore for a 5th round draft pick, and failed to land any big names to replace those players lost in the process. Players like Isaac Seumalo, Tremaine Edmunds, and Mecole Hartman could’ve been signed as replacements but instead, opted to do what had frustrated much of the fanbase in the past: sign “depth” players to smaller deals for minimal amounts of money. This method is great, you get draft picks based on how much the team isn’t spending, but that’s not the case here.
After another Free Agency period that saw no progress made in terms of improving the team, there was speculation that the draft could be more of the same. Chris Ballard came under fire and had to answer for his past failures in drafting or signing a Quarterback that wasn’t a redemption story or closer to qualifying for AARP than they were to being barely old enough to drink alcohol. Quarterbacks like Derek Carr and Jimmy Garroppolo signed with other teams so we knew that the draft would be where Indy was getting there QB1 from.
The spotlight was on Ballard this whole offseason to finally get a Quarterback and he even hinted at drafting a Quarterback. Colts fans rejoiced as Ballard even mentioned potentially trading up, yes trading up! Fast forward past the smokescreens and rumors to draft day. Bryce Young came off the board at 1, CJ Stroud came off the board at 2, but pick 3 became interesting. Many QB needy teams had been projected to trade up to pick 3 to draft the best available passer but Houston traded up to pick 3 to pick Will Anderson Jr.. This move helped Indianapolis finally get their guy: Anthony Richardson. Richardson is a raw talent with exceptional athleticism and extremely underrated work ethic. This move was surprising for 2 reasons: Richardson isn’t the typical Quarterback prospect that Ballard has ever had and 2. Ballard didn’t trade down. In the later rounds though, Ballard did show his normal tendencies when he traded down twice in the 2nd round but this draft was different.
Chris Ballard, in the 2023 draft, managed to go from Public enemy #1 to every Colts fan’s favorite person by not only drafting the most athletic QB prospect probably in draft history but doubling down on drafting some of the most athletic players in the draft. Chris Ballard drafted multiple needs and drafted them in a way that really made it seem as though Ballard heard the frustration of the fanbase and actually listened. Chris Ballard has proven to be very stubborn and stuck in his ways but this draft proves Ballard can have a meaningful draft and fill team needs.
Will this draft class pan out? Only time will tell but based on what we’ve seen so far, this Colts team has the potential to be extremely fun to watch!
