ARIZONA CARDINALS

Colts GM Chris Ballard ‘wouldn’t be surprised’ if team uses 4th pick on QB

Jan 10, 2023, 4:20 PM
Indianapolis Colts General Manager Chris Ballard (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)...
Indianapolis Colts General Manager Chris Ballard (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
(AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Locked into the No. 3 overall pick in the upcoming NFL Draft, the Arizona Cardinals are in a prime spot to add a serious asset(s) in one way or another.

On one hand, they could use their pick to draft a cornerstone-type player like a Georgia DE Jalen Carter, helping the fill the void left behind by the retiring J.J. Watt along the defensive line.

On the other, the Cardinals could turn the pick into more by trading it away to one of the QB-needy teams looking for their next franchise signal caller.

And given Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard’s comments on Tuesday, the price to move up into the top five might have increased quite a bit. Ballard, whose team holds the No. 4 pick in the draft, said he wouldn’t be surprised if quarterback is the route the team goes with the selection.

“It’s the fourth pick of the draft. We earned that. I don’t like earning it, but we did,” Ballard told reporters. “We understand the magnitude of where we’re at in the draft and we understand the importance of the position. To get one that actually you can win with and to be right is the most important thing.”

“I’d do whatever it takes,” the GM added when asked if he would move heaven and earth to draft who they wanted at QB. “If we thought there’s a player that we’re driven to get that makes the franchise and the team better that’s what we would do.”

Across the top 10 picks alone, six teams could realistically be in the market of adding a QB. The Houston Texans at No. 2, Colts at No. 4, the Seattle Seahawks at No. 5, the Las Vegas Raiders at No. 7, the Atlanta Falcons at No. 8 and the Carolina Panthers at No. 9.

Outside of the top 10, the Tennessee Titans (No. 11), the New York Jets (No. 13) and the Washington Commanders (No. 16) are also in need of some new blood at signal caller. There’s also the Green Bay Packers to consider at No. 15 if Aaron Rodgers moves on and Jordan Love isn’t the answer.

ESPN analyst Mel Kiper Jr.’s top QB prospects include Kentucky’s Will Levis at No. 3 and Alabama’s Bryce Young at No. 4 and Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud at No. 7.

Comments

Comment guidelines: No name-calling, personal attacks, profanity, or insults. Please keep the conversation civil and help us moderate comments by reporting abuse.
comments powered by Disqus

Arizona Cardinals

Dennis Daley #71 of the Tennessee Titans walks off of the field against the Green Bay Packers at La...
Tyler Drake

Cardinals agree to 2-year deal with former Titans OL Dennis Daley

The Arizona Cardinals agreed to terms with former Tennessee Titans offensive lineman Dennis Daley on Tuesday, the team announced.
2 days ago
Arizona Cardinals CB Antonio Hamilton (Jeremy Schnell/Arizona Sports)...
Tyler Drake

Cardinals agree to terms with CB Antonio Hamilton, 2 more

The Cardinals agreed to terms on one-year deals with CB Antonio Hamilton and DL L.J. Collier, the team announced Tuesday.
2 days ago
Monti Ossenfort, new general manager of the Arizona Cardinals NFL football team, speaks during a ne...
Tyler Drake

2023 NFL Mock Draft Tracker: What will the Cardinals do with 3rd pick?

A look at the players being mocked to the Arizona Cardinals at No. 3 overall in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft.
2 days ago
Alabama linebacker Will Anderson speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting comb...
Kevin Zimmerman

Could Cardinals trade down and still draft Will Anderson Jr.?

Will Anderson Jr. is the crown jewel of the non-QBs. The Arizona Cardinals might be able to trade down in the 2023 NFL Draft and pick him.
2 days ago
Arizona Cardinals WR DeAndre Hopkins. (Arizona Sports Photo/Jeremy Schnell)...
Arizona Sports

DeAndre Hopkins trade talks heating up, per report

Interested teams in Arizona Cardinals receiver DeAndre Hopkins are ramping up, reports NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.
2 days ago
Zach Pascal #3 of the Philadelphia Eagles reacts against the San Francisco 49ers during the second ...
Tyler Drake

Cardinals agree to terms with WR Zach Pascal, QB David Blough

The Cardinals have agreed to terms with WR Zach Pascal and QB David Blough on a two- and one-year deal, respectively, the team announced.
3 days ago
Colts GM Chris Ballard ‘wouldn’t be surprised’ if team uses 4th pick on QB