With a few weeks to go until the deadline for roster cuts, the Indianapolis Colts have some decisions to make.
Mostly, general manager Chris Ballard is looking at the back end of the depth chart to see which promising players deserve a place in the final few spots on the roster.
But deadlines often spur action, and sometimes surprising decisions are the results. In somewhat rare cases, teams make surprising trades before the season.
In looking at a player from each team to put on the trading block, Ryan Fowler of Bleacher Report landed on 24-year-old wide receiver Alec Pierce for the Colts.
Fowler believes it would be a prudent move for Indy to trade Pierce away for what he called assets — presumably draft picks.
"A trade could allow the Colts to maximize [Pierce's] value before it diminishes if he continues to underperform or struggles to adapt to the offensive structure," Fowler wrote. "In a league where roster flexibility and capitalizing on player value are crucial for long-term success, moving on from Pierce in exchange for assets could be a prudent decision."
Since the Colts selected Adonai Mitchell in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft, analysts have dubbed Pierce one of the top trade candidates on Indy's roster.
It's well known that Ballard loves his draft picks so a move isn't completely outlandish if he gets the right offer. But it's a deal that is unlikely to come to fruition.
The Colts still believe in Pierce's ability as a deep threat even if it means a reduced role splitting time with Mitchell.
With slot receiver Josh Downs now dealing with an ankle sprain, Mitchell has been taking more reps in the slot, giving Pierce the chance to form a connection on the outside with Anthony Richardson.
Anything is possible in the NFL, but the Colts need to surround their quarterback with as much talent as they can.
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