We are just one day out from the 2024 NFL Draft, and social media is buzzing with potential draft selections.
However, one analyst from the NFL Network floated out a potential move for the Indianapolis Colts involving a veteran player.
Daniel Jeremiah mentioned the Colts as a possible fit for disgruntled San Francisco 49ers star WR Brandon Aiyuk.
It's important to note that it seems that Jeremiah is just stating that the Colts fit on paper as a team to trade for Aiyuk. The Colts have been pretty quiet on outside moves this offseason, with just two new players currently on the roster. Instead, they chose to prioritize re-signing their own guys, such as Michael Pittman Jr.
If the Colts were to trade for Aiyuk, the expectation would be that he be signed to a new extension to facilitate the trade. This would mean that GM Chris Ballard and co. would be committing to paying two top-dollar WRs at the same time, which would be pretty out of character for how they've operated in the past. But to be fair, they didn't have their starting QB on a rookie contract in the past. Aiyuk is coming off back-to-back 1,000+ yard seasons and has combined for 15 touchdowns over the last two years. His skill set would perfectly fit the Colts' WR room and form a dangerous trio with Pittman Jr. and Josh Downs. While it's not usually their style, you could argue that this is the exact move a team should make when they do not have to pay their QB at the moment.
To be clear, I'd be shocked if the Colts won the bidding war for Aiyuk if the 49ers elect to trade the star WR. He is projected to net a package, including a first-round pick. The Colts have traded their first-round pick for a player twice during Ballard's tenure as the team's GM, the most recent being for QB Cardon Wentz; I think it's fair to say they regret making that trade. But the other time was with the 49ers for DT DeForest Buckner, and that's a deal the Colts would do over without hesitation.
More must-reads: