Colts GM Ballard Speaks at 2024 Combine

When the combine media sessions got underway for the 2024 NFL Combine, Chris Ballard, the Colts GM heading into his 8th season with the franchise, had many questions to answer when he met with the media. He apologized for being late while donning his blue Colts hat and long pushed back hair. The ever fiery and competitive GM was ready to tackle whatever came his way.

The biggest takeaway from the Ballard meeting on Thursday was the confidence he had in bringing number one wide out Michael Pittman Jr. back to the fold. The option of a re-sign or a franchise tag is yet to be decided, but Ballard was confident when he said, “Hopefully we can come to an agreement and find a compromise on a deal. You pay good players. He will be with us week one.”

Ballard was then asked about his approach when it comes to free agency and selecting the right players in the draft. “You have A-level free agents, they get tagged. If there is a free agent on the market that fits us, and we fit them, we will be as aggressive as we need to be (in free agency). We want to give him (Anthony Richardson) everything he needs, and protect him, you know how I feel about that, especially a young quarterback, you have to protect him.”

When asked specifically about starting quarterback Richardson’s recovery from a season-ending injury, Ballard said, “Really happy about where he is, I lived through the last one. Forgive me for being a little cautious, but, we are staying with whatever the doctors are telling us.” Ballard insisted that his budding star was well on the road to a full recovery.

Draft Nation has opined about the wide receiver depth in this upcoming draft for the Colts and the need to add depth to their bench, regardless of Pittman’s status with the team. When asked about the receiver draft class, Ballard agreed. “It’s strong. Reminds me of the year Pitt (Michael Pittman) came out. We had a rotation at the position last year and I have to do a better job for Reggie and everyone in that room.”

When asked what the hardest thing for a rookie coming into the NFL, Ballard offered, “Preparing for the combine and for football, you’re getting ready to run. The hardest thing is finishing college, strictly into training, combine, visits, rookie camp, OTA’s, it’s almost a cycle that doesn’t end until the season ends.”

A position of need for the Colts that some draft experts predict may be an area of focus for the team with the 15th overall pick is tight end. Georgia’s all-world tight end prospect Brock Bowers single handedly carried the Bulldog offense at points this past year. Bowers is the best tight end in the draft and many experts divine that he may still be available when the Colts come to the podium to make their first pick.

When asked about his tight end room, Ballard said, “We have a pretty good room with all different types of skill sets. The hardest guy to find is the one that can block on the edge.” That insight may have revealed Ballard’s intentions regarding Bowers and his first-round selection, perhaps pouring cold water on some hopeful fans wishes to see the Georgia star in blue and white next year.