Locked On Colts - Daily Podcast On The Indianapolis Colts - END IS NEAR: Indianapolis Colts, Anthony Richardson Sr. Agree to Seek Trade for QB

Episode Date: February 26, 2026

The Indianapolis Colts and Anthony Richardson Sr. have mutually agreed to seek a trade for the nearly 24-year-old quarterback. Which teams might be interested, and what might be the compensation? Also..., Jake and Zach discuss the players they spoke with today at the NFL Scouting Combine.   EVERYDAYER CLUB If you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans. Click here to learn more and join your team’s community: https://lockedonpodcasts.com/everydayerclub TEXT WITH JAKE AND ZACH Join the Locked On Colts insider program to text with Jake and Zach, ask any questions you have, and get updates on news and rumors from the Colts' facility, locker rooms, stadium, and practice field! https://joinsubtext.com/c/lockedoncolts   Find and follow Locked On Colts on your favorite podcast platforms: 🎧 https://lockedonpodcasts.com/podcasts/locked-on-colts/ 📺YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLdpxJspi1hMh5HL7ExpWOQ Locked On NFL League-Wide: Every Team, Fantasy, Draft & More 🎧 https://lockedonpodcasts.com/podcasts/locked-on-nfl/   Follow Jake's written work on roundtable.io/sports/nfl/colts/ and Zach's on si.com/nfl/colts/, and give them a follow on Twitter @JakeArthurNFL, @ZachHicks2, and @LockedOnColts!   Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! TurboTax For a limited time, you can have your taxes done by a local TurboTax expert for just $150 — all in, if a TurboTax expert didn’t file for you last year. Just file by February 28. Visit http://TurboTax.com/local to book your appointment today. FanDuel Use your Profit Boost on an NBA future and get entered for your chance to win a trip to the NBA Finals. Play your game with FanDuel, the official sports betting partner of the NBA. Visit https://FANDUEL.COM to get started.FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as non-withdrawable free bets that expire in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN) 5-Hour ENERGY Have your cake & drink it too. Birthday cake-flavor is back, no fork needed. Vanilla-y cakey flavor, caffeinated kick, and no sugar. It's party time. Order Now at 5-hourENERGY.com or Amazon. Indeed Listeners of this show get a $75 Sponsored Job Credit to help give your job the premium placement it deserves at http://Indeed.com/podcast. HomeChefFor a limited time, Home Chef is offering my listeners 50% off your first box, free shipping, and free dessert for life. Just go to https://HomeChef.com/LOCKEDON. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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Starting point is 00:00:00 The Indianapolis Colts and Anthony Richardson have mutually agreed to seek out a trade. Let's get to it. You are Locked on Colts, your daily Indianapolis Colts podcast. Part of the Locked On Podcast Network, your team every day. Welcome to Locked on Colts, part of the Lockdown Podcast Network. Now the number one sports podcast network around. Hello, everyone. My name is Zach Hickshaw, Resident Film Nerd of Horseshoehuddle.com.
Starting point is 00:00:35 joined as always by the boots on the ground at roundtable sports, Jake Arthur. And today we are diving into the big breaking news or I guess kind of breaking news. Development. Developing news story here with Indianapolis Colts. And that is Anthony Richardson and the Colts both agreeing to seek out a trade for the former top five pick quarterback. So in segment one, we're going to discuss this trade request and how it all came to an end with Richardson and the Colts.
Starting point is 00:01:04 Then we're going to dive into some potential destinations that makes them sense. I mean, obviously, Richardson wants to start. So there's not that many starting jobs around the league, but certainly somebody will be in the market for the talented young quarterback. And then we're going to close it out by continuing our 2026 NFL Combine coverage, talking about a few players that we discussed and looked at today at the media podiums and just kind of what our big takeaways were, including Jake talking to an Indiana football star this morning. morning as well. But getting back to this developing news story, Jake, Anthony Richardson,
Starting point is 00:01:40 requesting the trade in Colts actively looking to trade him now. You have it in here that he's only been available for 29 to 51 games in his career, which is only 56.9%. Next season, he has due $10.8 million. And there's also that fifth year option of 23.5 for the acquiring team. So a team would effectively be acquiring him for a year plus of control. Like you could technically have two years of control by getting him. But you at least get one year of control and a young quarterback who's a former top five pick. He's who just doesn't have a lot of film out there on him right now. So there is some intrigue for a trade.
Starting point is 00:02:20 But overall, just what are your thoughts on this new development? And again, I know it's something we've talked about a lot on here recently, but it's a new development, I guess, in terms of like official. news coming out. Yeah, this, it was not realistic for this relationship to continue. The Colts have very clearly committed to Daniel Jones for the long term. Chris Ballard said he hopes that he's the short term and long term answer. They're going to be working actively right now.
Starting point is 00:02:48 They're meeting with Jones representatives on a multi-year deal. Now, they are also meeting with Anthony Richardson's representative Derek Jackson. I believe, you know, it's been reported. they met this morning, Colts Brass and Derek Jackson did. And that's how they came together for, you know, it would be best, mutual, most mutually beneficial just to allow Jackson to seek out a trade for, for Anthony. And it's just, it is time.
Starting point is 00:03:18 The injuries, we can even pin it, we can blame if we're, we can blame a million things, but let's blame the injuries. Again, like you said, over 50% of the time, Anthony's not been a, available to play. And that in itself through three years, he's had issues with injuries, all three years. That just, you can't have that sort of mystery about your quarterback after three years. Yeah. Even if he was the starter last year, even if he was going into this next year as the presumed starter, you can't have that sort of mystery about your quarterback. You have to know by it by now. And again, they're they're playing for wins now. Like this is this stopped being about
Starting point is 00:03:58 his development long ago. So they need to win. It's good to get this just cloud, I think, out of the building. There's this, I don't think is going to have animosity on either side, but if you're Anthony, you want more of a chance to play.
Starting point is 00:04:16 You're probably looking for a fresh start somewhere else without the baggage that has come with this whole situation. If you're the Colts, you'd probably love the distraction of this to go away. We have to ask about it, all the time. It's just best for both parties to go. And, you know, I think it's pretty possible because for a former top five pick who's only in his fourth year, he's still 23. He's going to turn 24 in May. To only cost $10 million as a quarterback is pretty nice. That's a nice chunk of change.
Starting point is 00:04:47 Fifth year option is probably not going to happen because teams need to declare that by May. And that's going to be too, if he gets traded before, then it's going to be too soon for a team to pick that up. unless they have been super duper sold on him for years, which even the injuries to me is enough not to do it. But yeah, it was appropriate for this to finally happen. For Richardson, he can go somewhere and have a better chance of furthering his career for the Colts. You got to trade him.
Starting point is 00:05:16 Do not cut. Trade him so you can get something back. We've talked about compensation. It's, you know, a day three pick most likely. Could be 2027 where it's an escalating pick. We don't know, but it's time. Yeah, no, for sure. And we'll see more about this in the coming days and what it really transpires. And we'll talk about more in segment two, about potential fits and compensation coming back.
Starting point is 00:05:37 One thing I wanted to ask you and pick your brain about a little bit is the timing of this, right? It's kind of interesting for this to come out before Daniel Jones is under contract. Right. I guess we can say that about so much this offseason with Daniel Jones, right, is pushing all this, like, that he's a franchise quarterback and verbally committing to him to everybody before. he's actually under contract. But it is kind of weird the timing of this where it's like it's coming out, what is it, Thursday morning here.
Starting point is 00:06:05 And technically Daniel Jones has to become a free agent in a couple weeks. So as of right now, the Colts don't have, their quarterback one is not under contract. And their quarterback two, they're mutually seeking a trade with them. I think you mean quarterback one is Riley Leonard, who is under contract. Okay, okay. No, but it's just yet another layer of them, a short. being confident in Jones as their quarterback, like that they're going to get a deal done number one, but the confidence in him to show that he's the guy from the first half of the season.
Starting point is 00:06:39 I asked Shane the other day, I was like, you know, are you confident about this offense given, you know, he's going to take a step back in his mobility. Like, it's unrealistic to expect him to have the same mobility he did before the injury, at least right now. Like, he may get back to it, but like, are you going to be able to run an offense that's tailored around a guy who took a step back, coming back from an Achilles? And they're confident in it. So that's just been the whole thing. There are everybody's jobs hinges on this quarterback who has missed about as much time as Anthony to be quite frank with you.
Starting point is 00:07:15 And it's coming off a major injury. Yeah. No, for sure. And kind of desperate times, I guess, with the Colts. But ultimately, getting back to Anthony Richardson, it just is time for the this move, right? There's been writing on the wall. Jane Steichen has benched him already at this point in his career in the NFL. He benched him not only midseason in 2024, but also gave the starting job to a different quarterback. They brought him from the outside. So there is
Starting point is 00:07:40 no future for Anthony Richardson in Indianapolis. It makes the most sense to get this deal done. I think the big question is just how long does this take? You know, is this going to be something that is done in August when teams are most desperate, but you don't want Richardson hanging around here, right? When we already have this verbal agreement. So could this be something that we see done as early as by the weekend? I think that's on the table.
Starting point is 00:08:05 We could see something like some movement really happened here, I think, in the next couple weeks. And I would be shocked if he's still a member of the Indianapolis Colts by the NFL draft. But Jake, what's your thoughts on that? I think the fact the combine is right now is a big factor in all
Starting point is 00:08:21 of this. The entire NFL world is here. Everyone's representation is here from the team side, from agent sides everywhere. Like there doesn't need to be any like, let's meet here in a couple. Like everybody's already in the same place. Yeah. So that's a big factor. We saw already earlier today the Titans and the Jets nailed out a trade.
Starting point is 00:08:40 You know why it makes it a lot easier when everyone's in the same place. So whether a trade gets done or not this week, I don't know. It does seem a little fast. But I think the major legwork and the foundation for a trade could certainly be laid this week. We now know that Jackson's been given permission to seek this out. So I'm sure he's been making calls all afternoon or all day at this point. Yeah, no, for sure. He's been meeting with teams probably other than the Colts at this point as well. We're going to start getting that list of teams where not only that Richardson wants to go to, but teams that are just willing to make an offer
Starting point is 00:09:17 for Richardson. Because like going back to what you said earlier in the segment, cutting is not going to happen. A team is going to trade for Anthony Richardson. It's just the nature of of this business. It's about what team? And when we get back here in just a second, guys, Cameron Wolf, NFL reporter, mentioned a particular team in a tweet earlier today. We're going to talk about that team and a couple others that make a lot of sense for Anthony Richardson going forward.
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Starting point is 00:12:12 quarterback Anthony Richardson and his trade request. And before we get back to it, though, thank you for making Lockdown culture first listen of the day. And thank you for making Lockdown the number one sports podcast network. If you haven't already, go check out the new Everydayer Club. You can catch our audio ad free and get an invite to the members only Locked on Everyday Air Club Discord server, which includes a group chat just for our listeners of our shows. Go to Lockedoncultz.supercast.com to join or even gift a subscription.
Starting point is 00:12:40 Again, we are back talking all about the Colts and Anthony Richardson in this eventual divorce that is coming for the two sides. And Cameron Wolf, I believe NFL.com, right, jake? NFL.com. Cameron Wolf, when he was breaking the news alongside Stephen Holder and many other people that were breaking this news, he was talking about the Minnesota Vikings as being a fit for Richardson. Now, this is a link that has been made by so many people because Kevin O'Connell, Connell had very kind words to say to Richardson during like a at the end of like a Vikings and Colts game a couple years ago. So it's clear that O'Connell is a big fan of Richardson. and so that has always been a logical fit for him. But I don't know if it's like the clear cut one that they would want because it's not like he's 100% starting there, right? He has to compete with, albeit another pretty bad first round pick quarterback in number nine over there in Minnesota.
Starting point is 00:13:37 I think it's just nine. Sorry, just nine. He's got to compete with nine over there in Minnesota. And it's not like he can't win that job, but I feel like there's a better runway potentially with like the Cleveland Browns or the Arizona Cardinals. two teams that just don't have quarterbacks in place at all. You could also even throw the Pittsburgh Steelers in there. I don't anticipate them being in that market, but the Steelers currently don't have a quarterback on their team.
Starting point is 00:14:02 So Browns, Cardinals and Steelers, like, even if they're quarterbacks from like the same tier as number nine, or sorry, nine over there in Minnesota, like all bad, there is still that first round commitment to nine, you know, so it's hard for them to move off of that, if that makes sense. Yeah, I mean, the Vikings are, I think if the O'Connell thing never would have happened, I don't think we are talking about the Vikings really.
Starting point is 00:14:30 Like, they still need to probably evaluate McCarthy for another year. He's only started for one year. He spent the whole first year out with the knee injury. So they still have their own searching to do before taking on another reclamation project. Like McCarthy's not even to the point of a reclamation project yet. They just don't know what they have. Has he played good football? No, but you also don't pull the plug that early when you have a coach like Kevin O'Connell who's supposed to be pretty good for quarterbacks. So I don't really see the Vikings as much of a player in this.
Starting point is 00:15:04 I mean, unless O'Connell is just number one head over heels about Anthony and number two really doesn't feel the vibes with McCarthy. But you look at like the Browns, they have, I think, 10 draft picks right now before comp picks have. even been awarded. So I don't know what their comp pick formula looks like right now, but they could have like a dozen picks. The Cardinals, we all are pretty much on board seeing that they're going to trade Kyler Murray. Jacoby Resett was their quarterback last year. So obviously there's kind of an opening there. The Steelers, I've been hearing about the Steelers and Anthony since last year, people floating that idea. And like even if they, even if Aaron Rogers comes back for a year, because again, would Anthony
Starting point is 00:15:47 have an opportunity to start? Yes, but that, like, beggars can't be choosers. Like, you at least get kind of a path here. Rogers isn't going to be around more than another year if they bring him back. So you could go there to Pittsburgh, you could, you know, chill behind Aaron Rogers. Probably learn a lot
Starting point is 00:16:03 from him if you try to. And the Rams is kind of the same situation. Like, learn from Sean McVeigh, learn from Matthew Stafford. That's a great one if you're looking at dark horses down the road. And dolphins, I mentioned to you the other day when I think of Anthony playing next for some reason it's in a dolphin's uniform. Now they have to pay like an ungodly amount of money to get rid of Tua, but it feels like they're
Starting point is 00:16:27 probably going to because this new front office does seem intent on cleaning house and just getting rid of the old and rebuilding. And you can you can add a promising young quarterback to that in Anthony at least without really necessarily throwing all the reins to him. He could be part of a competition there. Yeah, I will say this. If I were Richardson's representation, or I guess the way I'd view it for him to get his chance, ideally, like the Viking Steelers or Rams makes sense from a philosophical standpoint, right?
Starting point is 00:16:59 Like sit for a year, get back out there. But the thing is, you're never guaranteed another year in the NFL ever. So sometimes you've got to get back out there and get in front of people again. And that's what we saw when Baker Mayfield went to the Carolina Panthers, right? Like his researchants didn't just happen. like just by going straight to the Rams. They tried to go to the Panthers first. He got traded to the Panthers.
Starting point is 00:17:21 And when he went there, it didn't work out. And then he ended up with the Rams on his last legs. And the Rams were able to build up his status again. So that's always an option. But I think those are more fallback options. If he can't get like a clear starting job with like the Browns, the Cardinals, or even the dolphins, like you mentioned. The Browns might still even be tough too because there's been an unfortunate amount
Starting point is 00:17:41 of talk about QV4 and Shedor Sanders. I don't think Richardson would just be handed the job there. I think he would over one of those two quarterbacks you mentioned, and it's not the one getting paid a ton of money. I think they would view him higher than Sanders, because I don't think the Browns care much for Sanders right now. But yeah, like the Cardinals, I think the Cardinals are very interesting because their coach there
Starting point is 00:18:02 comes from that same tree as the Rams and Vikings, and those coaches seem to very much like Richardson a lot. Mike LaFleur. Yeah, LaFleur is there. The 30th LaFleur is there. Another LaFleur. as hit the NFL. He is over there with the Cardinals,
Starting point is 00:18:17 and I think that he kind of comes from the same tree that is intrigued by Richardson. But I can't really quit the dolphins either, not for the same reason as you, but more so they are going to hit the poison pill this year in terms of they're going to eat so much dead cap regardless. They know they're not going to be a good team. So why not just trade a day three pick for Richardson,
Starting point is 00:18:36 get him in here, see what he can do. And if it doesn't work, you let him go. You know, it's not that big a deal for them. So I could see those teams. But I think like, again, the Vikings, Rans, I think those are more fallback options. But real quick, Jake, we've talked about this a lot this offseason. But now that it's official, we'll just be quick with it. Trade comp for the Colts.
Starting point is 00:18:54 I have been operating, I don't think it's going to be a 2027 pick. I think it's going to be a 2026 pick. So I don't think it's going to be like an escalator type pick. Because Ballard may not be there. Right, right. I think it'll be something more prioritizing this draft. I think the absolute max is probably around four for what Tray Lance went for to a desperate Cowboys team that Jerry is just being Jerry.
Starting point is 00:19:15 But I think it's going to be like a fifth round pick or so. But we'll see if they can get more. But that's where I've just been operating all offseason. It's like a fifth round pick for Richardson. Anything more is just icing on top. I love the idea of a desperate Jerry Jones trading a mid-round pick for their backup quarterback. Desperate Jerry Jones for headlines.
Starting point is 00:19:35 It's a desperate Jerry Jones for headlines. And that's the most desperate Jerry Jones you get. That's correct. But I mean, yeah, the trade compensation, like the problem is the injuries to me because the price is not bad. $10 million for a guy who might start for you is unbelievably cheap for a quarterback. Right. I got with his talent. We've talked about, I know as of late, we've been kind of, I guess, tabbed as Anthony haters,
Starting point is 00:20:02 which hasn't been always the case. We were big champions for him for a long time. But we've always said there are things you can't find in every quarter. that he provides. SAC avoidance. The arm talent's obviously unreal. He's got the clutch gene for sure. Like he gets, he, when the script gets thrown out the window when you say Anthony go win a game, he can go do that. But it's the injuries. The fact that he has not even been available for more than half of the games through three seasons, like the back in the, he had the back injury that cost him two last year, along with the hip that
Starting point is 00:20:40 cost another two as the rookie of the shoulder and then the eye this this last year like two concussions as well i think two concussions like it's just always something with anthony and i think that will give some teams pause which could be why i will say the conditional pick format it has got to be on the table now that would make it 2027 but the colts do they have done several conditional pick trades, which is basically, here's a fifth. that can move up to a fourth if Anthony does this or third, basically. I don't know if I've heard of multi-round escalators on that, but I think that's, it should be on the table, but more than likely it could be, here's a fit for Anthony.
Starting point is 00:21:23 Yeah. I think a sixth would probably be too low, but if that's all you're getting offered, do it. Yeah. You're executing the trade and getting him out. not that he's like a guy where you want him out because he's a cancer or anything, but he wants out, let him out. And then rather than letting him leave for nothing next year, you get a six-run pick out of it. Yeah, no, there's, you can just get something out of it at least.
Starting point is 00:21:47 And you get, like you said, it's not a cancer, but it's still something that you want to get removed. It's like a medical procedure that should get done that you've been putting off. I had a skin tag removed from my nose like two weeks ago. So they can remove this skin tag here, I guess, and put it in a very, blunt and sarcastic way there. But coming up, guys, there's also the NFL Combines. As we pivot away from Anthony Richardson in this developing story, Jake and I did talk to a couple of prospects here at the NFL Combine today, and we're going to talk about some
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Starting point is 00:23:38 What teams make sense to go get Richardson and then what that might take. But the other major NFL thing going on right now is the combine. It's where Zach and I have been all week so far, you know, pounding the pavement there and talking to guys. And player availability continued today talking with defensive backs and tight ends. And so we had to get our noses in there and talk to some of these guys. So, Zach, why don't you tell us about some of the conversations you had today and some of the guys that really stuck out? Yes, kick it to me for my very late day three guys before you go to your like high round guys. That's your on brand thing.
Starting point is 00:24:13 That is true. It is my on brand thing. Before we went down this morning, I was looking at a couple of the defensive backs. And weirdly enough, Toledo defensive back, Avery Smith really stood out to me. Slot Corner number four played some good ball last year. I really liked some of the film I saw from him. And I was really excited to go talk to him. I go down there and I'm able to get around his podium, answered some really good questions.
Starting point is 00:24:35 Did say he met with the Indianapolis Colts, so there's a little bit of interest there. But yeah, I just like his mindset. I like his ability to play inside and out. A little bit of a smaller guy, but excelled at the Shrine Bowl and did some good things. And I think one of the funniest things about him is the fact that he, like, we have these media sessions just to give you guys a little insight behind the scenes here. These guys go for like 15 to 18 minutes typically. They don't talk a lot more. He talked for like 30 minutes, I think.
Starting point is 00:25:04 He was breaking into the second segment because I guess the guy like after him just wasn't ready because the rechecks and stuff. So he just kept talking and kept going and he kept answering questions was doing great with it. And I was really intrigued by that. So yeah, Avery Smith liked this film a lot. I thought he gave some good answers on like press technique and playing inside and out from the slot and playing outside. And I'm really intrigued by his overall. play. Another guy I talked to, though, on the other side of the spectrum, Marcus Allen, defensive back from North Carolina, big, tall, lanky guy who I think is going to test fairly
Starting point is 00:25:35 well this week, definitely a height weight speed guy that I think Louana Rumo is going to be into. Again, gave some pretty good answers on some press technique and how he approaches certain things. So I really like that aspect talking to defensive backs where you can get to pick their brain a little bit on how they approach the game. And I think Alan gave some good answers on, you know, getting hands-on receivers at the line of scrimmage and just also, I think, I asked him about like his thoughts on the modern transition in the NFL to more man coverage, more quarters type stuff. And he was really excited about where it's going as a bigger, longer corner and getting his hands on receivers at the line of scrimmage. So I think he would
Starting point is 00:26:11 be an interesting fit for the Colts on day three. You and the height weight speed corners, don't, don't ever lose your love. I talk to Avery Smith first. He's not a height weight speed guy. He's a minus height weight speed guy. Now, if we're talking about undersized corners, I talked to none other than DeAngelo Ponds today. Obviously, national championship winning IU cornerback, undersized, of course. That's always kind of the yeah, but with him. But, you know, I started out by asking him, I was like,
Starting point is 00:26:40 what is this? Like, how crazy is this? Like, you've been attached to Kurt Signetti your whole career. Like, Signetti recruited him to James Madison out of Miami from high school. They go to JMU. They go to Indiana together. you know, Cignetti recruits him to come there. And then within a couple years, you do something no one's ever done and you're a national
Starting point is 00:27:00 champion at IU. I know if you're outside Indiana, that maybe doesn't hit so much, but like, for real, I'm 36 years old and IU football has been butt cheeks my entire life. It's always been a basketball school. Knowing that they've won a national championship in football, my grandpa would be just, out of, you know, I can't even describe it. Dancing in his grave, right? Something like that.
Starting point is 00:27:29 Yeah, whatever you want to say. But yeah, like, so to talk to DeAngelo Pons about that, he's like, it's, it's just been unbelievable. This has been an unbelievable ride. Very humble kid, very grateful to Signetti and, like, those around him. I had a lot of really good things to say about, like, Fernando Mendoza as well. But he just, he just really struck me as a guy who knows what he wants. He knows who he is as a player.
Starting point is 00:27:55 He's confident and he knows what he wants to do out there. A lot of times these guys get asked about being undersized so much, but it's like they don't see it that way because they've been that size. They've been undersized forever. So like they only know how to operate how they do on a daily basis. And him as a player, he said since he's been, he's been playing organized football since he was four years old. And he's been physical despite having a diminutive stature like his whole life.
Starting point is 00:28:22 like that's just how he plays. He was asked like, what are some of your favorite plays you made? He talked about the opening pick six against Oregon. And it's the way he described that, I was like, not only is this kid look like Kenny Moore, but he has the preparation and mindset of Kenny Moore as well. These guys that are just playing chess when the guys across the field are playing checkers, being able to bait guys into mistakes just shows another level of the understanding of the game.
Starting point is 00:28:52 that I think Pons, despite his smaller stature, is going to be a winning player for somebody. Like, the teams that pass on him just because of his size are going to regret seeing how good he is as a player. So Pons, you know, just talking to him to, he's everything you would want him to be. Another defensive back I talked to was LSU safety, A.J. Halsey. So this guy is interesting. He's about six foot, six one, about two. 20, you would think that's a strong safety, but he plays more free safety. He's got great athleticism. He's versatile. You can move him around again to free to strong the slot. You
Starting point is 00:29:32 could do a lot of things with them. And playing at LSU, which is one of the places that likes to claim being DBU, that's a lot of responsibility. And you have to work really hard to be able to wear those hats. And so I talked to him about that. I was like, what kind of weight do you put behind the scenes with film study, working with coaches, doing all this and that, and just perfecting your craft because you can't, you can't be a dumb dumb and they give you five different things to do on the field. That's just not how it works.
Starting point is 00:30:02 And he takes it very seriously. Film study, he mentioned this older player that kind of took him under his wing when he was younger and showed him how to study film and the impact that had on him and now how he's kind of paid it forward to some of his other younger teammates. and made you know has been a great example for him in the film room as well so he's a guy i'm really intrigued by like if the colts lose nick cross which seems likely if nick cross gets paid what he
Starting point is 00:30:31 should and free agency the colts are going to need another safety like that to line up next to can't bind him and then the last guy i talked to is i'm going to plant my flag is like this is my sleeper uh whereas halsey doesn't get talked about enough but he's still probably like a day two pick Nate boercher tight in from Texas A&M. You guys have probably heard me talk about him a couple times. He caught my eye at the senior bowl making some like really nice, challenging catches up the seam and like in the end zone, in tight coverage.
Starting point is 00:31:02 And, you know, I look at his career stats. He finished a four year career at Nebraska and barely ever touched the ball. Like he started alongside Thomas Fadone, but Fadone was the receiver. He was primarily the blocker. But he goes to Texas A&M as a grad transfer this last year. and actually is pretty involved in the passing game.
Starting point is 00:31:22 So he made the game-winning touchdown catch against Notre Dame. That's kind of been his calling card so far. But I really like him. He spent four years blocking and then showed in a season and at the senior bowl that, oh, this guy actually can catch the ball really well. So with the Colts having low Alley Cox and Drew Ogletree's free agents and probably needing a compliment for Tyler Warren, this is my guy.
Starting point is 00:31:45 I love him so far. I wanted to go ahead and get his name out there now because if he goes to test really well, a lot more people are going to be talking about him and I won't be able to claim him. So I'm laying claim to Nate Borrkercher now. Yeah, I mean, I think all what Miami fans and stuff have already laid claim to him
Starting point is 00:32:01 because he's the big reason why Notre Dame wasn't in the playoff this past year. So for all of you Notre Dame fans who listen here, Jake is a big fan of the guy who is the big reason why Notre Dame is not in the playoff. I clearly have shown a Notre Dame bias all draft season so far. You just got to play the hedge a little bit here. Now everyone who, every Notre Dame fan who like, it's like that scene in Incredibles where Incrediboy has the big picture of Mr.
Starting point is 00:32:25 Incredible and they tear it down. That's Notre Dame fans tearing down your picture off their wall now that you're mentioning. So that is what's going on. But thanks again, guys, for tuning in today to Lockdown Coles. We're back yet again tomorrow. Actually, tonight with the Lockdown Colts squad show with Derek Schultz and Alan Pinkett. So make sure you subscribe to our show and get all the latest episodes. If you don't already, make sure you're following at Lockdown Colts at Jake Arthur and
Starting point is 00:32:47 at Zach Hicks 2 all on social media. If you never miss an episode, then remember the Everydayer Club is built for you. Get Lockdown Colts audio ad free plus members only Discord access and much more. Head to LockdownColts.supercast.com to join the club or follow the link in our show notes right now. Thanks again and we'll catch you guys back here tonight on the Colts Squad Show.

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