The Indianapolis Colts aren’t ones to make splash moves during the NFL offseason, but that’s not keeping analysts from getting creative with their predictions.
It’s not like general manager Chris Ballard to go all out, especially with his job on the line going into his ninth season. Though, one could argue a splash move is exactly what the organization needs to rejuvenate a team that has missed the playoffs in four consecutive seasons.
In a wild trade prediction from Anthony Miller of TWSN, the Colts send running back Jonathan Taylor and a 2025 third-round pick to the Las Vegas Raiders in exchange for defensive end Maxx Crosby and a 2025 second-round pick.
“It’s a win-win trade for both teams that could flip the course of each franchise. The Colts would get an instant boost on defense, it would not help the young Anthony Richardson out on offense as his running game collapses,” Miller wrote. “Las Vegas’ offense brings in one of the best running backs in the league and with Pete Carroll’s ability to build strong defenses, it would actually benefit the Raiders in being a playoff contender next year.”
Landing the better player in Crosby and the better draft pick in the deal makes this even more of a bold prediction. Taylor may be coming off his second Pro-Bowl season, but having an elite pass-rusher like Crosby would be much more impactful.
The Colts would have to find a way to replace Taylor’s production in the backfield, which would be no easy feat. However, that extra second-round pick could help them reset the future of the position in what is expected to be a loaded running back class.
Crosby snapped his three-year streak of playing every single game with the Raiders in 2024, but he still managed 7.5 sacks and 20 quarterback hits in 12 games.
It’s unlikely to happen, but a deal like this would instantly boost the Colts’ chances of finishing with a record better than 8-9.
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