The Colts acquired Matt Ryan and have said they plan to use him as their starter for at least the next two seasons, the duration of Ryan’s contract, but they continue to meet with top draft-eligible quarterbacks.
In addition to the Colts’ Malik Willis visit, they traveled to Cincinnati to meet with Desmond Ridder, Albert Breer of SI.com tweets. Ridder and various Bearcats receivers worked out for Colts brass Friday.
Indianapolis does not have a first-round pick this year, but the team does hold second- and third-round selections. The Colts’ second-round pick sits 42nd, five spots up thanks to the pick swap included in the Carson Wentz trade with the Commanders. That would put the Colts in play for a passer. Although the team has other needs and would make sense to be in play for a quarterback in 2023 or beyond, given the Ryan trade, Chris Ballard‘s staff is looking into this year’s QB group.
Mirroring the other quarterbacks in this much-maligned class, Ridder’s draft range varies. ESPN slots him as its No. 36 overall prospect; NFL.com’s Daniel Jeremiah does not rank the 6-foot-3 signal-caller inside his top 50. Mel Kiper Jr.’s latest mock draft has Ridder going 40th overall to the Seahawks. The Steelers, Seahawks and Panthers have met with Ridder.
Barring an offseason injury, Ryan will be the Colts’ sixth Week 1 QB starter in six years. Ryan’s post-trade cap number checks in at just $18.7MM, though his 2023 figure spikes to $35.2MM. Ballard said he will inform Ryan when the team plans to draft a quarterback highly. While the Colts diving into the first-round QB market in a later draft would be the more conventional path, is not out of the question that Ballard-Ryan conversation occurs this year.
Having Matt Ryan showing Desmond Ridder the ropes would put the Colts in a nice spot.
I’m not sure that Ridder is worth a first, especially for a team with a set starter, but he shows some good maturity as a passer. I think he’s safer as a prospect than Willis or Corral, but his ceiling seems lower. The Colts have a young backup in Ehlinger behind a veteran starter in Ryan, though, so I doubt that Ridder would end up more than a luxury pick for them specifically. Of all teams weighing quarterbacks this year, the Colts seem to be one of those least in need of one.
I believe this would be a big mistake for the Colts..which would totally line up with their recent QB moves. In any other QB heavy draft, he’d probably be viewed as a 4th-5th round guy. I see his absolute ceiling as Mariota. He was never dominant in college. At all. Even against the extremely mediocre AAC competition. Great guy, but I wouldn’t draft him.
Sorry guys – friendly neighborhood Ryan
Hater here … I’ve already written of the Colts with Ryan … he’s a marginal upgrade over Wentz at this stage of his career.
Even if you win the division you’d have to BEAT , likely 3 of Burrow, Allen , Jackson, Mahomes or Herbert. I know it’s a team game but Ryan is not doing that. You’d be better served to draft a QB and start from scratch. Just keeping it real. Everyone knows this outside of Indiana.
Get to the dance and see what happens, we’ve seen it year after year after year.
Ground and pound running game with a good looking defense and a QB who doesn’t make bone head mistakes is a recipe for success.
Here’s to hoping the. Lots prove me wrong. I don’t see it. The AFC will be won by one of – Denver, Cincinnati, Chargers, KC, Baltimore… whoever wins between Tennessee and Indy … will be the end of the road.
It’s a 2nd round pick. BUT for a presumably playoff bound team, is that a good use of a 2jd round pick? You could get a starter in the 2nd or a depth piece for a position of need. This years draft is so so for QBs, reminds me of the EJ Manuel and Geno Smith draft class. If anything maybe trade back and pick up a pick next year.
If one of these guys is there at 42 the only way you make that pick is if you’re 110% confident you can find real talent at WR in the 3rd round or later.