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Colts GM Chris Ballard reiterates team’s objective to protect QB Anthony Richardson in the NFL draft

Originally posted on FirstSportz | By Sumedh Joshi | Last updated 4/21/24

The Indianapolis Colts’ hopes of witnessing the true potential of Anthony Richardson came to a grinding halt as he ended up suffering a shoulder injury in Week 5 of the regular season. The team had the option to continue playing him by regularly rehabbing his shoulder or could sit him out for the rest of the year and ensure he recovers completely. They opted to do the latter, this made one thing clear, the franchise views Richardson to be its franchise quarterback.

Keeping that in mind, the general manager for the Indianapolis Colts , Chris Ballard is now prioritizing picking key pieces to ensure the team will be stronger offensively and Anthony Richardson will have all the weapons that he needs to work with. The front office has complete faith in him and they want him to be surrounded by the best talent when he takes the field next season.

Chris Ballard shared his perspective about the upcoming Draft on The Rich Eisen Show.

I do think you're going to see a lot of offensive players taken early the first round. I'm not saying it's a weak defensive draft, but it's a really strong offensive draft. Especially at the top of it. I truly believe you're going to get a really good player in those middle rounds, and even some later, because of the depth of the group. Chris Ballard said

The team has the 15th pick in the first round of the draft, a pick it will utilize to acquire a top playmaker. In the subsequent rounds, the Colts have one pick each.

The Indianapolis Colts are eyeing wide receivers in the upcoming Draft

The Colts will focus on acquiring top offensive weapons in the Draft, there will be a special emphasis on the wide receiver position. The team has an elite running back in Jonathan Taylor but they are in need of efficient wide receivers and with the availability of offensive talent in this draft class, the Colts see their chance to fulfil the positional requirements.

Wideout is very similar, it is excellent. When you've got a young quarterback, you've got to protect him. You want to continue to add playmakers around him. Chris Ballard added

The Colts will draft 7 players in total from the draft. If they managed to surround Richardson with the appropriate talent, they would have struck gold. Richardson is the first quarterback since Andrew Luck who can throw the ball and run just as well. His physical build and athleticism separate him from the past QBs the team has had. The hope is for him to remain healthy.

This article first appeared on FirstSportz and was syndicated with permission.

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