The speculation about the future of the Indianapolis Colts, particularly regarding their potential draft strategy for a quarterback, are taking some new turns. With some rumors of Baltimore QB Lamar Jackson joining the Colts, there is no doubt that the team is in a dire need of a QB. Pat McAfee and Ian Rapoport discussed the recent news about CJ Stroud, a highly-rated quarterback prospect, and how it could potentially impact the Colts’ draft plans.
The leaked news about Stroud’s draft stock and the uncertainty surrounding the Texans’ and Cardinals’ picks are seen as significant factors that could affect the draft outcome.
Indianapolis Colts’ alleged tactic to snag CJ Stroud in NFL Draft
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At ‘Pat McAfee Show’, Pat asked Ian about the recent rumors that CJ Stroud’s draft stock may be falling, and if he has heard anything about it. Ian confirmed that he has heard the rumors. He mentioned that most people he has spoken with still believe that CJ Stroud and Bryce Young are the top two quarterbacks in the draft, with a small gap between them.
For the '23 draft, we have many options. With the #4 pick, we could stay put and take a QB—-or trade up and take a QB—-OR trade down and MAYBE take a QB—-Or NOT🙂
All options on the table, but we like our position and are very excited. Fire up! 🏈 pic.twitter.com/OMRpt2KkGI— Jim Irsay (@JimIrsay) April 16, 2023
“A lot of smoke though, right? That sounds like a lot of smoke coming out of there. Is it coming from the Colts, potentially sitting there at four,” said McAfee. Rapoport acknowledged that teams are trying to shift the odds in their favor leading up to the draft.
Pat McAfee brings up the possibility that the Indianapolis Colts, who have the fourth overall pick, may be spreading negative rumors about Stroud in order to potentially dissuade other teams from selecting him, thus increasing the Colts’ chances of getting him.
Domino effect in the NFL draft?
Pat also speculated that the rumors about CJ Stroud’s draft stock may be coming from the Houston Texans, who have the second overall pick in the draft. He suggests that the Texans may be trying to create “smoke screens” to confuse other teams and potentially lower Stroud’s value so that they can draft him later in the draft.
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Rapoport explains that if the Texans choose not to take a quarterback with their second overall pick, it could cause a chain reaction in the draft. Other teams may endeavor to trade for the third overall draft pick, which is currently possessed by the Arizona Cardinals, to select a quarterback.
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“That’s just why it’s such a big deal with the CJ Stroud news that’s being leaked by everybody agreed, then the report of like, they might not take a quarterback because it could be the Cardinals, cooking, yeah, because the Cardinals all of a sudden, their pick becomes very valuable if that stuff’s true. And then you look at them underneath…,” Pat said.
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Pat McAfee brought up examples of past quarterbacks who were drafted early but did not perform well in the NFL, emphasizing that history shows that not all highly-drafted quarterbacks turn out to be successful.
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