Colts Could Be A Better Fit For QB Lamar Jackson

The Indianapolis Colts rank extremely high on Bill Barnwell of ESPN’s list of most likely places for Lamar Jackson.

Colts Could Be A Better Fit For QB Lamar Jackson

By the deadline on Tuesday, the Baltimore Ravens placed a non-exclusive franchise tag on quarterback Lamar Jackson.

Jackson is free to negotiate with other clubs, and the Ravens have the first option to match any offer that is accepted. The Ravens would receive two first-round selections as payment if they chose not to match that offer.

The Indianapolis Colts were ranked No. 4 in Bill Barnwell’s exhaustive examination of the 16 clubs that may potentially trade for Jackson.

Would the Colts be willing to give up two first-round picks to acquire the 26-year old former MVP?

“Irsay would probably trade a half-dozen of his guitars for a quarterback, let alone two first-round picks. Ballard likely would prefer to avoid sending the No. 4 overall pick as part of an offer sheet for Jackson, but that might just be the price of doing business.” — Bill Barnwell, ESPN

The Colts would lose their fourth-round pick this year and first-round pick in 2024 if they made a change. That is about equivalent to what the Colts would pay to trade up to the No. 1 overall pick in order to choose a quarterback like Bryce Young of Alabama.

The cost management of a rookie deal would be Young’s main benefit against Jackson. According to reports, Jackson wants a contract like the one Deshaun Watson received with the Cleveland Browns last year, which included a $250 million guaranteed over five years.

The picks would not be as important as the deal. In the market where the San Francisco 49ers traded three first-round selections in 2021 for the chance to choose Trey Lance, two first-round picks for Jackson would be a great deal.

“Irsay has indicated he wants a long-term solution at quarterback and already has hinted toward an interest in Alabama’s Bryce Young, which can only do wonders for the Colts and general manager Chris Ballard as they try to negotiate a trade up from No. 4 to No. 1. If they strike out and don’t think they can land a quarterback they love, a logical Plan B might see them try to acquire Jackson from the Ravens.” — Bill Barnwell, ESPN

Since Halloween, the Colts have been connected to every available and somewhat available quarterback. They will investigate a deal with Jackson, but even if the numbers add up, they would have to assume that the Ravens would withdraw from consideration.

The likelihood is that the Ravens will simply match the best offer made by other clubs who will handle the discussions on their behalf.

Could the Colts outbid the Ravens in a contract negotiation?

About the only thing we can be sure of is that Jackson’s predicament will be resolved before the NFL Draft on April 27 and that the Colts will know who their next quarterback will be on April 28.

 

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