Indianapolis Colts Quarterback Anthony Richardson will have season-ending surgery on his injured shoulder, per the Indianapolis Colts.
The 2023 fourth overall pick was on his way to a positive rookie season before sustaining his second injury of the year against the Tennessee Titans on Oct. 8. Gardner Minshew is now QB1 of the 3-3 Colts.
As the trade deadline approaches the Colts should look to add players that can both help them continue to compete now, but will also help Richardson continue to develop next year. The goal for the Colts this season was to help Richardson develop into a franchise quarterback. With that same goal in mind, here are three trades they should make to save their season.
3. Trade for Davante Adams
That's right. Swing big. Davante Adams is reportedly growing unhappy with his time in Las Vegas. And the Colts are missing a true WR1. We've seen what a legitimate top weapon can do for a developing quarterback. Think Stefon Diggs for Josh Allen. Travis Kelce for Patrick Mahomes. Ja'Marr Chase for Joe Burrow. The list goes on and on.
Davante Adams is still as skilled and savvy a route runner as we have in the NFL. His ability to get open and separate would be instrumental for a developing quarterback like Richardson. A receiver who can make throws easy for the quarterback with so much room for error is incredibly helpful to a young signal-caller.
There's also something to be said for a veteran receiver with a high football IQ just knowing where to be at all times. Take Adam Theilen in Carolina for example. Never the greatest athlete and far from his peak now at 33 years old, Theilen is still such a smart player and is always in the right spot. Bryce Young can always count on the veteran to be where he's supposed to be. And even if Young misses something, that sort of assurance is key in the development process.
Adams may be pricey in terms of what you have to send back. But over the last two seasons, we've seen the impact a true top receiver can have on an offense. Even if it costs a first-round pick for the Colts Davante Adams would be a great pickup. That said, it probably would only cost a Day 2 selection.
2. Trade for Joe Noteboom
Joe Noteboom was once touted as the heir to Andrew Whitworth — so much so that he was given a three-year, $40 million contract before he was a full-time starter. Since then, it has been up and down for the former third-round pick.
Noteboom was the Rams' starting left tackle to start the 2022 season. A rash of injuries hit the entire offensive line resulting in mixed performances for Noteboom. Then the young tackle hit his own injury misfortune with a torn Achilles and missed the final 11 games of the season.
Now Noteboom is in an awkward spot. He lost the left tackle job somewhere in the last calendar year to Alaric Jackson. The Rams tried a number of combinations in training camp and preseason this year and ultimately found their best five with Noteboom at right guard. The 28-year-old was playing well there before injury struck the group again. When Jackson missed the Week 4 game against the Colts, Noteboom moved back to left tackle for a game. He then sustained his own injury and has not played since. In that time, Kevin Dotson (who the Rams traded for after the preseason) has started at right guard and has been on a tear.
All that is to say that Joe Noteboom could find himself without a home in LA and be available. The Colts have started finding a groove again along the offensive line thanks to players being healthy. But right guard Will Fries is still questionable long-term despite an improvement from last year. Still, we know this group has trouble staying healthy — especially their best players. Noteboom would provide some depth this season, but also some potential for a higher ceiling next year.
With experience on the left and right sides and both inside at guard and outside at tackle, there are a number of possibilities for 2024 if the Colts were to add Noteboom. Most likely he'd find a home on the right side either at guard overtaking Fries, or at tackle and kicking Braden Smith inside.
Either way, a Day 3 pick for a solid backup for this year but potentially more for the future, is an easy way to protect your franchise QB for the next few years.
1. Trade for Hunter Henry
The Colts' four tight ends on the roster have combined for 28 catches on the year. That would be tied for the second-most catches on the team with wide receiver Josh Downs. A tight end is a quarterback's safety blanket. And while Kylen Granson seems to have a solid connection with Richardson, a trustworthy veteran would be a good pickup.
Enter Hunter Henry. He was a key part of good offenses for the first six years of his career. Since then, things in New England have fallen all the way off the rails. The 30-year-old tight end is in the last year of his contract and the Patriots could be sellers at the deadline. A potential late Day 3 pick swap could be all it takes to bring in the tight end who has had 50 or more catches three times in his career.
Henry's ability to play in-line as a blocker will appeal to this Shane Steichen-led coaching staff. Henry wouldn't have lasted these almost three seasons in New England if he wasn't an effective blocker. And as a receiver, Henry is one of the most productive we've had recently. Since 2020 Henry is one of 10 tight ends that have had at least 200 targets, 150 catches, and 100 first downs.
If Anthony Richardson walked back into training camp next summer with Davante Adams, Joe Noteboom, and Hunter Henry wearing blue and white he would quickly make up the development lost in 2023.
