The Indianapolis Colts simply made a transfer at quarterback, electing to roll with former sixth spherical decide Sam Ehlinger over the veteran Matt Ryan for the remainder of the season. Ehlinger has appeared in simply 19 snaps in his profession up till this level.
With the route of the staff drastically altering in a single day, it may make some sense to begin promoting off some veteran contracts. Whereas it could be unlikely with each Frank Reich and Chris Ballard preventing for his or her jobs, they may totally lean into this retooling to purchase themselves a while.
Regardless if it truly occurs or not, listed below are 5 gamers that the Colts may/ought to look to maneuver by the November 1st Commerce Deadline:
The obvious transfer the Colts may make on the deadline is to maneuver veteran move rusher Yannick Ngakoue for a draft decide. Ngakoue isn’t any stranger to trades, as he has already been dealt thrice in his NFL profession.
Ngakoue was introduced in to be the Colts’ savior off of the sting, however he has largely been a disappointment in 2022. Professional Soccer Focus has him graded out because the fourth-worst run defending edge rusher within the NFL for the time being. He additionally is not choosing up the slack as a move rusher, as he at the moment ranks fiftieth amongst beginning edge rushers in move rush win price.
Briefly, Ngakoue has been a under common move rusher and a putrid run defender for the Colts. Transport him off for no matter they’ll get is the very best transfer for the Colts on the commerce deadline.
Mo Alie-Cox has been a fixture for the Colts since 2018, however his play has severely dropped off because the starter this season. Simply months after signing a 3 yr, 18 million greenback deal within the offseason, Alie-Cox seems to be one of many staff’s worst total offers.
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Buying and selling him may show to be troublesome, however I am certain there’s a staff that might tackle his contract for a conditional late spherical decide (attributable to his potential as a move catcher). The Colts’ future at tight finish lies with Jelani Woods and Kylen Granson, and this staff not wants a participant like Alie-Cox taking over snaps.
Veteran cornerback Stephon Gilmore has been an outstanding participant for the staff this season, so his point out on this article has nothing to do with him disappointing. The Colts merely aren’t the staff that he signed up for within the offseason.
The veteran Gilmore is on the improper facet of 30, however he ought to have worth across the league as a participant that may nonetheless get it executed as a prime cowl man. A staff just like the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs may simply use his providers, and I ponder if the Colts may squeeze a day two pick of the Tremendous Bowl contenders.
Okay, so this one could also be a bit shocking, however hear me out. Linebacker Bobby Okereke is within the remaining yr of his rookie contract and the Colts are already spending large cash on Shaquille Leonard on the place. If the Colts cannot afford Okereke’s price ticket this Summer season, it could be greatest to deal him now.
Okereke has had a robust season for the Colts in 2022, however the staff does have some depth at linebacker with the latest play of E.J Velocity and Zaire Franklin. With the Colts paying out quite a lot of unhealthy contracts subsequent season, Okereke could also be a bit expendable for this entrance workplace.
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I, personally, would maintain Okereke for so long as doable, but it surely would not not make sense to discover a commerce for him.
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