More TFLs than any player in college football last year.

How we’re feeling this fine morning:

GM Chris Ballard indicated Colts tried to trade up for offensive player from #15 pick
stampedeblue.com/2024/4/26/2414…

Among the players available for Friday night:

DT Jer'Zhan Newton
OL Jackson Powers-Johnson
OL Zach Frazier
CB Kool-Aid McKinstry
CB Cooper DeJean
CB Ennis Rakestraw Jr.
WR Adonai Mitchell
WR Ladd McConkey
WR Keon Coleman
DT Braden Fiske
LB Edgerrin Cooper
LB Junior Colson
QB…

There’s a cost to it all. Can the Colts still land that No. 2 outside receiver? Can they cover enough to make the pass rush matter?

Is this enough to skip free agency, too?

We’ll see. But the process feels more modern. At least the draft version of it does.

What we saw tonight is a general manager evolving. Chris Ballard wanted to trade up for the big-time WR because that’s his coach’s playbook for building a young QB.

He settled for a proven premium player rather than the idea of one. He did not just ask a rookie to solve a need.

Laiatu Latu is different than what they’ve tried here before. He is all production. Lots of polish. And still a very good athlete.

It’s the inverse of the Kwity Paye pick. They’re sacrificing a bit of theoretical ceiling for the realistic ceiling. They want that guy *right now*

The league saw a tier break between Rome Odunze and Brian Thomas Jr., who went 8 picks apart. With Brock Bowers off the board, it became time for the Colts to zag.

Their top defensive player happened to be a premium position at EDGE. So in comes Laiatu Latu.

I think the Colts wanted Marvin Harrison Jr. or Rome Odunze, based on talking to sources close to these players. Only Odunze felt realistic — only if they could get above the Bears at 9.

The Falcons at 8 didn’t want to slide in the QB derby. The Titans at 7 weren’t helping out.

I thought the Colts’ top need was to support Anthony Richardson with another explosive weapon. Nothing matters if he doesn’t hit. I thought they’d need to trade up.

They agreed, trying hard to move up. It was for a pass catcher. But nobody was moving down beyond a pick or two.

The Indianapolis Colts are getting a special player! ✨

#GoBruins

Welcome to the Colts, LAIATU!💪

#Colts land EDGE Laiatu Latu stampedeblue.com/2024/4/25/2414…

Interview with New Colts Edge Rusher Laiatu Latu stampedeblue.com/2024/4/25/2414…

I won’t be doing the normal 10 Thoughts columns because of what else I have to write this weekend so I’ll be dumping some in threads here.

Let’s start with the Laiatu Latu pick. I find it fascinating for a few reasons.

1/

Colts buck trend in Thursday’s opening round of NFL Draft, making UCLA edge rusher Laiatu Latu the first defensive player selected kokomotribune.com/indiana/sports…, from George Bremer

Dream: Realized

Let’s take it, Laiatu. 👊

Coming back to the 3️⃣1️⃣7️⃣. #ForTheShoe

Offensive players still available after Round 1 include:

QB Spencer Rattler
QB Michael Pratt
RB Marshawn Lloyd
RB Jonathan Brooks
RB Trey Benson
WR Keon Coleman
WR Ladd McConkey
WR Adonai Mitchell
WR Ja’Lynn Polk
OT Kingsley Suamataia
IOL Jackson Powers-Johnson
IOL Zach Frazier