The Indianapolis Colts had no choice but to sit back and watch as almost every other team in the NFL made picks in the first -- and half of the second -- round before finally getting on the clock. That's far from an ideal situation, but the Colts' first-round pick was already in the building.
General manager Chris Ballard rolled the dice by trading two first-round picks and WR Adonai Mitchell to get CB Sauce Gardner. It was a surprising move for a player who may not have been available otherwise, and one that didn't necessarily pay off last season.
Now, while the Colts stayed put, the Tennessee Titans added a playmaking wide receiver. According to Bleacher Report's Moe Moton, Carnell Tate has the makings of a rookie Pro Bowler.
Indianapolis Colts' Sauce Gardner has to make a statement against Carnell Tate and the Titans
In his latest column, he argued that new offensive coordinator Brian Daboll should help Tate thrive right out of the gate, so Gardner will have to make sure to make him look like a rookie in his two meetings next season.
"Daboll's former lead receivers racked up big numbers in his offense. Stefon Diggs made his first Pro Bowl as Allen's go-to target. In his rookie campaign, Malik Nabers posted Pro Bowl numbers despite playing with three different starting quarterbacks," Moton argued.
Even with veterans Wan'Dale Robinson and Calvin Ridley in the building, the Titans are likely to give Tate as many targets as he can handle as a rookie. He's used to sharing the spotlight with other big-name wide receivers, such as Emeka Egbuka in 2024 and Jeremiah Smith last season, but his time to shine has come.
Gardner earned a reputation as one of the best shutdown cornerbacks in the league as a rookie, but he's somewhat regressed since. Even if he's still a star, the Colts gave up way too much to get him, including the first-round rookie who could've rivaled Tate if the Colts had taken him.
The New York Jets used the pick to get Oregon star TE Kenyon Sadiq, and Shane Steichen could've certainly used that type of playmaking pass catcher to help Daniel Jones.
In just four appearances for the Colts, Gardner held opposing quarterbacks to a 52.9 completion percentage, 8.6 yards per completion, and a 65.1 passer rating. He didn't give up a single touchdown, so even though watching him miss a stretch with a calf injury was disappointing, the early returns of this trade were fairly encouraging.
Now, he'll match up with the first wide receiver off the board twice a season, and he'll have to make a statement. This team gave up way too much to get him, and with a first-round pick still yet to be cashed, the bar will be extremely high for the former Jets star.