Todd McShay's latest mock draft has a team trading up for the first pick
On Wednesday, Todd McShay of ESPN released his first mock draft of the offseason, which featured a trade at the top of the board. In his projection, Chicago moves down to the fourth overall pick, while Indianapolis jumps to the first pick.
With the first pick, McShay has the Colts selecting Alabama QB Bryce Young, the number one prospect in his 2023 NFL Draft rankings. He mocks two-time national champion Georgia DT Jalen Carter to Chicago as the fourth overall pick.
McShay believes Indianapolis would have to offer something "in the ballpark" of the Nos. 4 and 35 overall picks, a fifth-round pick, and possibly a 2024 first-rounder to trade up.
Chicago could have its long-term answer at QB in Justin Fields, so trading back for more assets to build around him makes sense, should Bears GM Ryan Poles do so. Following last season's rotating cast of Matt Ryan, Sam Ehlinger and Nick Foles, Indianapolis is desperate to land its franchise QB.
New Colts HC Shane Steichen's history of developing young signal-callers such as Chargers QB Justin Herbert and Philadelphia's Jalen Hurts factored into McShay's decision to include the trade in his mock.
Under Steichen, Herbert, the 2020 Offensive Rookie of the Year, broke multiple NFL rookie passing records, including most passing touchdowns (31) and most games with 300-plus passing yards (eight).
A completely different play-style from Herbert, Hurts had a breakout season this year with help from Steichen, finishing second in MVP voting. Philadelphia was the third-highest-scoring offense in the league, averaging 28.1 points per game.
Colts owner Jim Irsay's comments from Steichen's introductory news conference on Tuesday suggest McShay's prediction is realistic. As Irsay indicated, Indianapolis' streak of acquiring washed-up veteran QBs has ended, and he's willing to give the new QB plenty of time to adjust to the NFL.
"Offense, in my mind, can be a little more complex," Irsay said. "It takes a lot more time to develop, knowing we're going to have to find a young quarterback to develop; that's a key factor."
While there's a plan to bring in a young QB, Irsay may have lost negotiation leverage after referring to Young as a potential option.
"The Alabama guy doesn't look bad, I tell you," he admitted.
Given Irsay's unconventional nature, it's unclear whether the praise for Young was an oversight or a calculated attempt to get a different QB to fall to the fourth pick.
In two seasons as Alabama's starter, Young threw for 8,200 yards, 79 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. The 2021 Heisman Trophy winner is the current betting favorite to be the first overall pick in April's draft, according to Oddschecker. A trade might be imminent if oddsmakers believe he'll be chosen first.
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