The Colts and Raiders should consider making a rare player for player trade that would benefit both teams
The Indianapolis Colts have a major need for an impactful tight end this offseason. Their TE room was near the bottom of the league in production in 2024, and their top two players at the position are set to become free agents, Mo Allie-Cox and Kylen Granson. The upcoming 2025 NFL Draft class has multiple intriguing […]
The Indianapolis Colts have a major need for an impactful tight end this offseason.
Their TE room was near the bottom of the league in production in 2024, and their top two players at the position are set to become free agents, Mo Allie-Cox and Kylen Granson. The upcoming 2025 NFL Draft class has multiple intriguing options, and a young TE with plenty of upside seems to be available via trade, with the Las Vegas Raiders reportedly trying to trade Michael Mayer.
The Colts should trade Juju Brents to the Raiders for Michael Mayer
The Raiders drafted Michael Mayer in the 2nd round of the 2023 NFL Draft. He finished his rookie year with 27 catches, 304 yards, and two touchdowns in 14 games. Many were projecting him to take a big step forward in his second season, but that was before the team elected to use their first-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft on TE Brock Bowers. Bowers went on to have one of the best rookie seasons for a TE ever by recording 112 catches, 1194 yards, and five touchdowns. This led to Mayer's role in the offense being minuscule and only recording 21 catches for 156 yards. This has Mayer and the Raiders likely heading their separate ways this offseason if they can find a trade partner.
The Colts drafted Julius (JuJu) Brents nine picks after Mayer in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft. He has had some nice flashes in the NFL, but injuries have severely limited his availability. He only appeared in nine games during his rookie season and suffered what was thought to be a season-ending injury in the 2024 regular season opener, though he was able to return for the season finale. Brents was operating as the team's top corner to begin 2024, and the team had high hopes for his sophomore season. The team has now shifted their defensive philosophy drastically by moving on from Gus Bradley and hiring Lou Anarumo. The scheme change doesn't fit Brent's skill set, and he could be the odd man out in the CB rotation as the team is expected to improve their secondary in free agency and/or the 2025 NFL Draft.
Brents was drafted due to his stellar fit in Bradley's defensive scheme and what that scheme typically values at the CB position. It has been that way ever since Bradley's days with the Seattle Seahawks, where he led the Legion of Boom. His head coach during that time, Pete Carroll, had a larger hand in creating that defensive philosophy and identity than many realize. And he just so happens to be the newest head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders.
The Raiders will be looking to give Mayer a fresh start elsewhere, and the Colts desperately need to add production to their TE room for the 2025 season. Mayer played his college ball in Indiana at Notre Dame and is a midwest kid who grew up just south of the state in Kentucky. The Raiders also need to add competition and depth at CB this offseason, making the idea of the two teams swapping 2023 draft picks seem like a win-win situation. The Colts get a young TE with room to grow, and the Raiders get a young 6'3" CB who would be a solid fit in their defensive scheme.
Recent NFL roster moves and rumors help the Colts in a big way that not enough people are talking about ahead of free agency
The NFL's legal tampering period begins Monday, March 10, at noon Eastern Standard Time, which is the unofficial start of the league's free agency period. The Indianapolis Colts have multiple needs they could address, arguably their biggest being in the secondary. They need to add talent at corner and safety, and the market has numerous […]
Colts 7 round 2025 NFL Mock Draft: Post Scouting Combine thoughts has the Colts making a first round trade
The NFL Scouting Combine has come and gone, and the 2025 NFL Draft has never felt closer. Attending the event in Indianapolis allowed me to gather a lot of interesting information about the NFL and, specifically, the Indianapolis Colts. Given what I learned about the team and its top prospects, it only feels right to release […]
