#51
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**** = Made an All-Pro team *** = Made a Pro Bowl team ** = Starter or starter level contributions * = quality backup that positively impacted the team 2018 Quenton Nelson**** Shaquille Leonard**** Braden Smith** Kemoko Turay Tyquan Lewis* Nyheim Hines* Daurice Fountain Jordan Wilkins Deon Cain Matthew Adams Zaire Franklin** 2020 DeForest Buckner**** (via trade of the 13th overall pick to SF) Michael Pittman Jr.** Jonathan Taylor**** Julian Blackmon** Jacob Eason Danny Pinter* Robert Windsor Isaiah Rodgers** Dezmon Patmon Jordan Glasgow Let's throw 2022 in for fun, because I see that class rivaling these two in a few years, which only speaks to Ballard's drafting acumen: 2022 Alec Pierce** Jelani Woods* Bernhard Raimann** Nick Cross* Eric Johnson Andrew Ogletree Curtis Brooks Rodney Thomas II** I would argue all three of the above classes are or have the potential to be better than Polian's best draft class, which IMO is 2003, but I'll post what I believe to be his 3 best draft classes for comparison sake: 2003 Dallas Clark**** Mike Doss** Donald Strickland Steve Scuillo Robert Mathis**** Keyon Whiteside Cato June*** Makoa Freitas 2006 Joseph Addai*** Tim Jennings*** Freddy Keiaho** Michael Toudouze Charlie Johnson** Antoine Bethea*** T.J. Rushing* 2001 Reggie Wayne**** Idrees Bashir** Cory Bird Ryan Diem** Raymond Walls Jason Doering* Rick DeMulling** If you look at the results side by side, it's scary to think what Chris Ballard might be able to do with a franchise QB and a full array of draft picks every year. Time will tell if Ballard is the better GM, but so far he's outdueling a Hall of Famer in an area both consider to be paramount to team building. |
#52
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After the Colts drafted edge, they were winning and drafting at the back end of future drafts, not near front. I give him credit for his work in the late round draft picks,
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IndyNorm (02-11-2023) |
#53
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So that's where I was coming from. But wording probably too strong on my part. I am very happy to have Ballard. ---- Also just an aside, I thought '99 might make Polian's list with James, Mike Peterson, Brad Scioli, and Hunter Smith (I know he's just a punter), but I looked it up... Mike Peterson never made a Pro Bowl his entire career? Even the year he was 2nd-Team All-Pro, no Pro Bowl. Even Hunter Smith never made a Pro Bowl which surprised me. |
#54
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Also, you do realize when Ballard hasn't had a full array of draft picks it's b/c he's traded them away right? Last edited by IndyNorm; 02-11-2023 at 04:17 PM. |
#55
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As for Ballard trading away picks, the only truly bad trade he's made involving picks is the Wentz trade, and that's primarily because the Colts didn't make the decision to mitigate their losses and only give up a 2 once they figured out Wentz wasn't the guy. The other time Ballard traded his 1, for DeForest Buckner, I'd argue Buckner is better than anyone the Colts could've gotten at 13. Last edited by Dam8610; 02-11-2023 at 04:50 PM. |
#56
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Ballard had a better draft in 2022 than most of Polian's drafts without a first round pick.
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#57
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#58
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There was no point to sign Rivers or trade for Ryan if you weren’t going to couple it with going in on a 1-2 yr window. Well other than selling tickets I guess. I understand Wentz slightly more in that you can argue if it worked you had multiple seasons with him in the future. Not surprisingly I disagree with that philosophy, but I understand the logic at least. Rivers are Ryan were known short term options that were just place holders in the long build.
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IndyNorm (02-11-2023) |
#59
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Ballard also traded out of the 1st round in '19, which next to '17 is probably his worst draft. Agree on Buckner and Wentz trades. You just made it sound like Ballard's hands have been tied a bit b/c he hasn't had a full allotment of picks frequently, so I wanted to point out that it was his doing. |
#60
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You could maybe make the argument for 2020, but you're definitely counting your chickens way before they've hatched for the '22 draft class in that statement.
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