Colts HC discusses NFL Draft amid Lamar Jackson rumors

It sounds like the Indianapolis Colts want it known they won't be using the fourth overall pick of the 2023 NFL Draft to land Baltimore Ravens star Lamar Jackson.

According to Joel A. Erickson of the Indianapolis Star, new Colts head coach Shane Steichen addressed the club's plans for its top draft asset while speaking with reporters on Wednesday. 

"We’re focused on the draft, and we’re focused on the guys that are in the building at the moment," Steichen said. 

Steichen offered his comments the same day that ESPN's Stephen Holder shared that "the Colts appear to be steadily moving forward with their intent to select a quarterback with their fourth overall pick" of this year's draft. 

Colts general manager Chris Ballard raised some eyebrows when he suggested in late March he could pursue Jackson after the Ravens retained the quarterback's rights via the non-exclusive franchise tag. Big-name agent Drew Rosenhaus then generated headlines last week when he linked the Colts with the one-time NFL Most Valuable Player.

However, NBC Sports' Peter King, Holder and others have pointed out that Jackson's alleged contract demands coupled with the draft picks Indianapolis would have to send Baltimore could prevent Ballard and team owner Jim Irsay from signing Jackson to any offer sheet. Jackson reportedly wants over $230M in fully guaranteed money, while the Ravens would be owed two first-round draft picks if they didn't match an offer for the 26-year-old. 

ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. predicted in his latest mock draft posted on Tuesday that the Colts will stay at pick No. 4 and take Kentucky Wildcats signal-caller Will Levis. Five of six CBS Sports analysts have Indianapolis selecting quarterbacks in their mock drafts, while Will Brinson decided to troll with his latest forecast. Ryan Wilson, Chris Trapasso, Josh Edwards and Pete Prisco of CBS all have the Colts trading up to pick No. 3 to take a QB1. 

"I'm looking for good guys. I mean, that's the biggest thing," Steichen said about the type of starting quarterback he wants, per Eric Edholm of the NFL's website. "Obviously, there (are) the tangibles and the intangibles, and I'm not going to get into all the details of what I look for, but really I want good guys in this building."