The Indianapolis Colts were fortunate to have a remarkable player in Marvin Harrison during his tenure with the team. Harrison’s skill and talent elevated him to the status of a Hall of Famer. While he may not have possessed the sheer speed or physical prowess of certain receivers, his exceptional route running and reliable hands were truly impressive. Now, the Colts’ fans are eagerly anticipating the entry of Marvin Harrison Jr., his son, into the NFL draft. The prospect of seeing Harrison Jr. in the Colts’ offense alongside the likes of Michael Pittman Jr., Anthony Richardson, and Jonathan Taylor has fans excited and hopeful. However, there remains the question of whether this scenario is merely wishful thinking or if it could potentially become a reality.
Why it is a pipe dream
The idea of the Indianapolis Colts making a move to acquire Marvin Harrison Jr. in the NFL draft appears highly unlikely due to the tendencies and approach of General Manager Chris Ballard. Ballard has established a track record of favoring trading back in the draft rather than moving up and accumulating picks instead of surrendering them. Considering the expected early run on quarterbacks in the draft, it is improbable that Marvin Harrison Jr. would fall far enough for the Colts to have a realistic chance of selecting him without trading up significantly, which goes against Ballard’s typical strategy.
Moreover, moving up from the fifteenth spot to the top three or four picks would require a substantial price to be paid. This type of aggressive move does not align with Ballard’s approach, especially given that the roster has multiple areas that need to be addressed and filled. Ballard has displayed a preference for prioritizing the offensive and defensive lines, focusing on building a team that can win in the trenches. While he has shown interest in retaining players like Michael Pittman Jr., it would be unreasonable to expect him to deviate from his established philosophy at this stage.
In summary, the combination of Ballard’s draft strategy, the cost of moving up in the draft, and his emphasis on other positions make it highly unlikely that the Colts will pursue Marvin Harrison Jr. as a high pick in the draft.
Why it could happen
You raise an interesting point regarding Jim Irsay’s involvement in the decision-making process of the franchise. While he may not constantly meddle, he has been known to exert influence in the past to achieve his desired outcomes. It’s true that Irsay expressed a playful comment about Chris Ballard moving up in the draft to acquire Marvin Harrison Jr., which suggests that he would love to have him on the team. Such a move could symbolize a return to the team’s glory days and carry on the legacy created by his father, while also potentially significantly boosting the offense and introducing a potential superstar akin to players like Justin Jefferson and Ja’Marr Chase.
In terms of draft positioning, it is possible that the necessary spots to select Harrison Jr. could be available for trade. Teams like the Patriots or Cardinals might be potential trade partners if they were open to moving their picks. It’s important to note that the actual possibility of such a trade would depend on how the draft unfolds and the specific needs and preferences of each team. While it is a longshot and there are valid reasons to believe it won’t happen, it remains within the realm of possibility until the draft actually takes place.
In summary, while the distance to move up in the draft, the potential cost of surrendering picks, and the influence of the general manager are factors that suggest it may not happen, the involvement of owner Jim Irsay and the inherent unpredictability of the draft mean that drafting Marvin Harrison Jr. in April remains a possibility, albeit a remote one. As with any draft, the final outcome can only be determined once the selections are made.
