If the Indianapolis Colts were willing to take the bold step of swinging a trade for disgruntled superstar quarterback Lamar Jackson, one top NFL insider believes the cost would be fairly reasonable.
With the biggest moves in NFL free agency in the rearview, much of the focus of the offseason is now on the trade market and the NFL Draft later this month. Both avenues offer the Indianapolis Colts strong options to address their primary focus this spring, and that is to try and find a franchise quarterback.
Related: Indianapolis Colts working out top QB prospects for 2023 NFL Draft
After several seasons of investing in short-term veteran fixes, the team seems much more likely to prefer an answer to their QB situation in the NFL Draft. Unfortunately for the Colts, the team’s selection at fourth overall may place them just far enough away from landing one of the two top signal-caller prospects in this year’s class — Bryce Young and CJ Stroud.
It puts Indianapolis in a difficult predicament and it’s why recent reports around the NFL suggest the team could make a play for the Ravens star as he in the team continues to remain at a stalemate over a long-term contract extension.
Indianapolis Colts record (2022): 4-12-1, third place in AFC South
Lamar Jackson had a non-exclusive franchise tag placed on him last month which allows other teams to negotiate a contract with the 26-year-old. However, under such a scenario, Baltimore would need to be compensated with two future first-round picks. Well, a top league insider believes the one-time NFL MVP could be had for less in a trade.
In a Monday edition of “Football Morning in America,” NFL Insider Peter King wrote about the possibility of the Indianapolis Colts trading for Jackson. Due to the fact that the Ravens have made little progress on a contract extension, and with reports that Jackson wants a historic deal from them or any team, King believes the asking price for the QB in a trade to Indy could be lower than some might think.
“My bet is the Ravens would take the fourth pick in the draft, solely, for Jackson,” King wrote.
However, the veteran insider did note he had doubts if the Indianapolis Colts would actually make a push for the two-time Pro Bowler due to his contract demands and recent injury history. Nevertheless, one single first-round pick would be extremely low compared to what quarterbacks like Deshaun Watson and Russell Wilson netted their former teams in blockbuster trades last year, which included multiple picks and players.