Lance Zierlein: Colts are linchpin of NFL draft

In the early days of April, it’s impossible to know what the Indianapolis Colts are going to do with the No. 4 overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft.

What we do know is that the Colts are one of the biggest tone-setters for the rest of the way after they send their card into the table when they’re on the clock during Round 1 of the draft.

Lance Zierlein of NFL.com called the Colts the linchpin of the draft because of the different avenues they have to choose from when it comes to their pick in the first round.

“I think that is a real linchpin of the first 10 picks of this year’s draft,” Zierlein said of the Colts’ decision. “It’s going to really have an impact on the rest of the draft.”

The Colts have a few options to consider over the next few weeks as the draft rapidly approaches. The majority consensus favors the Colts selecting a quarterback prospect with the No. 4 overall pick. Which one that would be is impossible to tell, but it seems to be shaping up as a decision between Florida’s Anthony Richardson and Kentucky’s Will Levis.

Both Richardson and Levis are considered projects, and the teams that draft them will need to stress patience as they go through growing pains.

“I think they’re one of the most interesting teams in this draft because—look we’ll see what happens with Houston at two if any shenanigans jump off there. Arizona (Cardinals) could be a draft-in spot but the Colts—if two quarterbacks are gone off the board—we know they need a quarterback. Which one would they go with? Would they go with the developmental Levis or the developmental Richardson? Those are both guys that are going to take time,” Zierlein said.

The Colts also could look to trade up one spot with the Cardinals, but there haven’t been any reports about that kind of deal yet as the month of April begins.

The other option Zierlein mentioned would be a bit more aggressive and includes a likely blockbuster deal for Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson.

“Will they get more aggressive and go with a guy who’s not a developmental player in Lamar Jackson? And if that happens, then of course I’m assuming that Baltimore would want to get that done before the draft so they can get their hands on the No. 4 pick. Then would the Ravens lean into the young quarterback and developmental quarterback at No. 4?”

The Colts are doing their homework on a potential trade for Jackson, but that move has lower odds of happening than Indy selecting a quarterback in the draft.

Regardless of what happens, the Colts at No. 4 have a strong chance at shaping the outlook of the draft with their selection.

We’ll be tracking the Colts’ reported interest in the 2023 draft class so be sure to keep up with latest updates via our tracker.

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