With The First Pick
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Colts must sit Andrew Luck to secure the future of the franchise

By Luke Drage

NASHVILLE, TN - OCTOBER 16: Andrew Luck #12 of the Indianapolis Colts watches from the bench during the game against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium on October 16, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN - OCTOBER 16: Andrew Luck #12 of the Indianapolis Colts watches from the bench during the game against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium on October 16, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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In a situation entirely dictated by hypothetical, this is the most prominent reason for sitting Luck for the rest of the year.

If Luck sits and the Colts continue on a similar trend they will be a bottom five team by the season’s end. Armed with a top five pick in a quarterback-laden draft, and without the need to draft one, they would be in a hugely powerful negotiating position.

There will be numerous teams that are desperate to get their hands on one of the many top quarterbacks expected to come out of college in 2018. The list would not be limited to those who are needy at the position right now either, such is the level of talent available.

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Clearly franchises like the Browns and 49ers will be on the hunt. But teams further down looking to trade up like the Broncos, Steelers and Jaguars will be the ones that the Colts could take advantage of.

Chris Ballard would be in one of the strongest negotiating seats in NFL history. Teams will be at his mercy, lining up to snag a Sam Darnold, Josh Rosen or Josh Allen. This is a once in a generation chance to engage in a blockbuster trade.

Flipping a top five pick with immense value for a bundle of picks and players that could be franchise altering if used correctly.

The Colts have holes all over their roster so some veteran players would clearly do them well. Ballard could go after two defensive starters, an offensive linemen and 2018 picks as well as a team’s future first and second round picks.

This could get the Colts a similar haul to the Rams in the RG3 trade. That kind of haul is enough to develop an elite roster in the NFL. Such is the level of talent among the 2018 quarterback class, that Ballard could get even more than the Rams received for the Griffin pick.

Adding a pro bowl level pass rusher or inside linebacker as well as a high level offensive lineman would hugely bolster the Colts roster. This, coupled with a large haul of future draft picks, could help transform the roster from awful to championship level.

That wouldn’t be possible without the presence of Luck though. The veteran signal caller needs to be healthy in order for this scenario to take full effect. For that reason he has to be shut down for the rest of the season.

It is a chance to very few teams in league history will ever get. The Colts simply have to take it. It may lead to short-term pain, but the losses will be worth it if they are able to execute this plan.

Luck is an MVP caliber player who just needs slightly above average support to carry a team to a Super Bowl. Surrounding him with a bunch of first round picks, and reliable veterans, will inevitably bring long-term success to Indy.

The individual reasons for sitting Luck all work towards the goal of prolonging his career whilst achieving ultimate success. The Colts cannot waste away his career with a poor roster.

They will never get a better chance to secure the future of the franchise than this. Luck has to sit and the pieces will fall into place.

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