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Should the Colts target Trevor Lawrence in the draft?

By Sravan Gannavarapu

JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 13: Jacksonville Jaguars players celebrate in the background as Philip Rivers #17 of the Indianapolis Colts walks off the field after throwing an interception during the fourth quarter at TIAA Bank Field on September 13, 2020 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 13: Jacksonville Jaguars players celebrate in the background as Philip Rivers #17 of the Indianapolis Colts walks off the field after throwing an interception during the fourth quarter at TIAA Bank Field on September 13, 2020 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images) /
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Should the Colts already be thinking about Trevor Lawrence and the 2021 NFL Draft?

Philip Rivers didn’t do himself any favors with his subpar performance in the Indianapolis Colts‘ 27-20 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 1. The former Chargers quarterback went 36-of-46 for 363 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. The numbers may appear gaudy but were to no avail. And in reality, the stats were a way of applying makeup over the warts of a stunning Week 1 upset.

Colts fans had not been fans of Rivers for quite some time, the most notable incident was during the 2007 AFC Divisional round where the Colts lost to Rivers, LaDanian Tomlinson and the then-San Diego Chargers after coming off their Super Bowl XLI victory.

Many had predicted that the Jaguars would be tanking this season in hopes of landing Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence.

Instead, Gardner Minshew and the crew sit happily at 1-0 atop the division with the Tennessee Titans while the Colts sit alongside the Texans at 0-1 and last in the AFC South. Though it may be one game, one possibility has come into question. Should the Colts be the one to go after Trevor Lawrence instead of the Jaguars?

Are the Colts actually the AFC South team ‘tanking for Trevor’?

Yes, that was read correctly — and it makes sense from a lot of perspectives. First, while general manager Chris Ballard is known for taking trench players to build a solid football team, he is not oblivious to the fact that in order to succeed in the NFL, you need a franchise quarterback.

Just ask the Chiefs and Patrick Mahomes or the Patriots when the GOAT was leading the charge for the last 20 years while winning six Super Bowls.

Second, the team is well built to win, with a vast majority of their key players, including their offensive line, locked up on deals that enable them to compete for championships. Third, the Colts have had success with great quarterback prospects — except for John Elway. Look at the case of Peyton Manning and how he turned out. With that said, there are also several reasons why it probably will not occur.

There is no way, with this much talent, that the Colts would think about the idea of tanking. A stout line with good running backs and receivers, along with a young and rising defense? Highly unlikely.

Moreover, the last time the Colts believed they were a quarterback away from being a Super Bowl contender, they backed up the truck and sent the Falcons a blockbuster deal, including two star players, for the right to select quarterback and Indianapolis native Jeff George in the 1990 NFL Draft.

Next. NFL picks, score predictions for Week 2. dark

To make it short and simple, the deal did not pan out and Ron Meyer’s squad, even with Hall of Fame running back Eric Dickerson, ended up being duped and spun into years of mediocrity before landing Manning in 1998.

Wishful thinking Colts fans, it would be nice, but it probably will not happen. Or could it?

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