One NFL GM Went on Rapid Rollercoaster of Emotion When Cardinals Traded No. 3 Draft Pick

It was no secret that the Colts needed to select a quarterback in this year’s NFL draft.

However, up until the final moments of the team’s selection, there was a concern about whether or not Indianapolis would be able to select the signal-caller it wanted to join the franchise. When the Cardinals announced the trade of their No. 3 pick in the first round, Colts general manager Chris Ballard was among those experiencing a whirlwind of emotions inside the franchise’s war room.

Ballard’s anxiety regarding the team’s draft affairs was visibly seen in an all-access video that was posted on the Colts’ YouTube channel Thursday. But when it was announced that Arizona was trading the No. 3 pick to the Texans, Ballard’s level of intensity dropped significantly.

Ballard slapped his desk, saying “good,” and shared a fist bump with new head coach Shane Steichen as a round of claps accompanied the news of the trade. With the No. 4 pick and in need of a quarterback, Ballard knew that Houston was not drafting a signal-caller at No. 3 after previously taking Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud at No. 2. 

Ballard was correct as the Texans selected Alabama linebacker Will Anderson Jr., paving the way for the Colts to select Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson.

From the @Colts’ always-excellent With The Next Pick series (https://t.co/dCOZI3o6tk) … you can see GM Chris Ballard’s heart sink when it was announced that Arizona traded the third pick, and see him bounce right back when Houston was announced as the trade partner. pic.twitter.com/3JtLcNGtBb

— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) May 4, 2023

Ballard said he knew a month before the draft that he wanted to select Richardson as the Colts’ choice. Luckily for the front office, Indianapolis did not have to trade up to get the former Gators star nor did it have to relinquish any draft compensation in the process.

So, it was both the desired move and a great financial move for the franchise. Now, the start of Richardson’s tenure is set to begin as the Colts hope that he can help restore the franchise as a cornerstone in the AFC South.