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The Indianapolis Colts hold the fourth overall pick in the upcoming 2023 NFL Draft. They definitely need a franchise quarterback, but maybe they should wait until next year to draft one.
Alabama's Bryce Young and Ohio State's C.J. Young, who are considered the best two QB prospects in the draft, will more than likely be unavailable when the Colts are on the clock. Young could go No. 1 overall to the Carolina Panthers, and Stroud could be taken second overall by the Houston Texans or vice-versa.
The Arizona Cardinals, who currently own the third overall pick, already have a franchise QB in Kyler Murray. With that said, they could wind up trading the pick to a quarterback-needy team that isn't the Indianapolis Colts.
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If that happens, the team that trades up will likely draft Florida's Anthony Richardson, leaving Kentucky's Will Levis available for Indianapolis for the No. 4 spot. Levis has a cannon for an arm, but many experts predict he'll eventually become an NFL bust.
Should the Colts pass on Levis, they could take someone like Tennessee's Hendon Hooker, possibly in the second round.
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Would it be foolish for the Indianapolis Colts to wait until 2024 to draft their guy?
Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard has a decision to make. Should he draft a franchise quarterback this year or go get one in 2024 instead?
If the Colts don't select a quarterback fourth overall this year, they could take the best player available, like Alabama edge rusher Will Anderson Jr., who some consider the most talented player in the entire draft. They could also address their weak offensive line by drafting a tackle like Ohio State's Paris Johnson Jr. or Northwestern's Peter Skoronski.
The Indianapolis Colts would then start new acquisition Gardner Minshew at quarterback next season. The former Philadelphia Eagles backup isn't exactly a franchise QB, but he could serve as a solid starter.
2024 is expected to be highlighted by star QB's like USC's Caleb Williams and North Carolina's Drake Maye. Last season, Williams took home the Heisman Trophy, and Maye had a monster year as well, throwing for over 4,000 yards. It's possible that the Colts could struggle enough next season to land a top pick in the 2024 draft to take Williams or Maye.
Should the Indianapolis Colts draft a quarterback this year? The answer is yes. While neither Richardson nor Levis is supposed to be the next Peyton Manning or Patrick Mahomes, they could prove to be great in Indianapolis. The Colts haven't had a franchise quarterback since Andrew Luck in 2019. They can't afford not to draft a signal-caller in 2023.
