Should the Indianapolis Colts Trade The 18th Overall Pick?

The Indianapolis Colts desperately need find multiple playmakers in the 2016 NFL Draft. The only problem is they do not have at a lot of draft picks. Currently, the Colts are one of eight NFL teams that have six draft picks or fewer in the upcoming NFL draft. Remember, they traded their sixth round pick in this year’s trade to the Oakland Raiders in exchange for Sio Moore. For this reason, should the Colts trade the 18th overall pick to acquire more draft picks?

Obviously, this is a complicated question because this decision depends on three variables. One variable is who the Colts are interested in, another variable is what draft picks the Colts can get in exchange for theirs, and the last one is which teams are looking to move up. Ultimately, a decision to down in the draft order will be made if these three factor work in the Colts’ favor.

Dec 31, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide tackle Ryan Kelly (70) protects quarterback Jake Coker (14) against the Michigan State Spartans in the third quarter in the 2015 CFP semifinal at the Cotton Bowl at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports /

The Colts have been very quiet about which draft players they are interested in. Draft experts seem to be changing their Colts’ predictions week-by-week. Some experts see a pass rusher like Noah Spence falling to the Colts while other experts have the team reaching for an interior offensive lineman like Ryan Kelly. If the Colts are going to pick a clear-cut first round talent, they should not trade their pick, but if the player they want to draft is not a definite first round talent, they might want to consider a trade. Remember, the Colts reached on wide receiver Phillip Dorsett in the first round last year, and it did not work out very well for them during the regular season.

With the 18th overall pick, what can the Colts realistically get in exchange for it? First of all, any trade that does not include a first round pick in return should not even be entertained. At minimum, the Colts need a first and a fourth round pick in return for their 18th overall pick. General manager Ryan Grigson has been pretty good with fourth round picks. His only two fourth round picks became two eventual starters in center Khaled Holmes in 2013 and safety Clayton Geathers in 2015. Also, if any team offers more than this minimum, the Colts should take the deal.

The final question is what teams are willing to move up in the first round? Well demand should not be a problem. Last season, there were two trades where a team moved back in the first round to allow another to move up in 2015. Traditionally, there are always teams in the back half of the draft looking move up. With the 18th overall pick, the Colts are in a prime spot to garner trade offers from teams that draft later in the first round.

Ultimately, the Colts should think about moving back in the draft if they can get more draft picks. A six-player draft class is not going to dramatically improve this roster, which is why trading back to acquire more could benefit the Colts. Obviously, they are not going to take a trade that does not benefit them. However, moving back in the first round should be a real option for them.