INDIANAPOLIS – For a second straight year, the Colts have spent a Day 3 pick on a quarterback.
With the 218th overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, the Colts took Texas quarterback Sam Ehlinger in Round Six.
Here are 3 takeaways on Ehlinger:
1. Ehlinger’s Skillset
Think much different than Jacob Eason. Yes, Ehlinger threw for more than 11,000 yards and 94 touchdowns as a four-year starter at Texas, but he also ran for 1,907 yards and 33 touchdowns as a dual-threat QB. Lauded for his toughness, Ehlinger (6-1 and 220) was most known for playing through injuries at Texas and his ability to extend plays. Concerns about Ehilnger’s arm and throwing with anticipation are reasons why he wasn’t picked until the end of Day 3. What Ehlinger excels with is eluding the rush and creating some plays off script. Ehlingner mentioned that teams have not talked about him being used in a Taysom Hill type of role.
2. Why A Quarterback?
Jacob Eason is still the favorite to be this team’s backup in 2021. But adding one more quarterback was always something that needed to happen this offseason. Ideally, Eason would take strides and establish himself as Carson Wentz’s backup. For Ehlinger, he could then have a spot on the practice squad and learn in his first NFL season (like Eason did in 2020). While the Colts hope and believe that Wentz is the answer moving forward, that’s not a guarantee. So bringing in another identified arm via a late-round draft pick is a fine move. It’s always good to let your QB-focused coaching staff try and develop at that spot. Again, Eason needs to take the vast majority second-team reps and play a lot in the preseason, but Ehlinger will be a nice 3rd team option, bringing a different skillset than Eason.
3. Finally, A Trade Back
It took more than 200 picks, but Chris Ballard finally traded (back) in this year’s draft. This is easily the latest in the 5-year tenure of Ballard that the Colts have traded in the draft. In exchange for moving back 12 spots with the Saints, the Colts added the 229th overall pick to start Round 7. It should be noted that the Colts have not acquired any additional picks in the 2022 Draft. So looking ahead to next year, the Colts are likely to be without their 1st rounder (or 2nd) because of the Carson Wentz trade. They should be in-line for one or two Day Three compensatory picks.
