Did you hear the chatter that suggests the Colts tried to trade for Justin Jefferson? Coach Shane Steichen wouldn’t give the report any legs.
So we may never know if Indy tried to bring Jefferson, the Vikings star who now is the highest-paid receiver in NFL history, into the fold.
“He’s a good player,” Steichen told reporters after the Colts first day of minicamp. “Probably 31 other teams tried to trade for Justin Jefferson, but I’ve got no comment.”
The Vikings are keeping Jefferson happy. On Monday, the team announced it had signed the former LSU star to a four-year, $140 million contract of which $110 million is guaranteed. It’s definitely a receivers market this off season with several big names surpassing the $30 million per year Tyreek Hill landed when he signed with the Dolphins in 2022.
Colts reportedly kicked tires about trading up in draft for receiver
As for the Colts, there also was buzz that the team tried to trade up in the first round in order to select an elite receiver. The draft was top heavy with them. Three went amongst the top nine, with seven going in the first round. That’s the most since 2004. Colts GM Chris Ballard, while not confirming the position, did say that he tried for one of the top offensive players in the draft. Since they already have second-year quarterback Anthony Richardson (pick No. 4 in 2023) and their starting line returns intact from last season. Tackle Blake Freeland, a fourth rounder from BYU in 2023, did a terrific job his rookie season. There were no running backs with first-round grades.
The Colts went with defense in April’s first round, selecting UCLA’s sizzling pass rusher Laiatu Latu. In fact, Latu, at pick No. 15, was the first defensive player off the board.
Then, Indianapolis landed a weapon for Richardson when they selected former Texas Longhorn Adonai Mitchell. The UT receiver had been projected as a first rounder, but slipped to the 52nd pick. Ten receivers went ahead of Mitchell. So he made the number a constant motivation. He’ll wear the No. 10 jersey for his rookie season.
As Steichen said, any team in the NFL would be fortunate to land Jefferson, who Pro Football Focus named as its top graded receiver in the league. But the Colts are building a nice offensive nucleus with star receiver Michael Pittman, who recently agreed to a $68 million, three-year extension. Then there’s Jelani Woodsa 6-7 tight end, and running back Jonathan Taylor.
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