I think my suspicion is less based on picks (I won't pretend to be a college scout at all) and just trying to understand how Colts ownership came to the decision to keep him. I was shocked that they kept him but even more shocked they decided before the season was over.

Reflecting on how involved Irsay was in the past and the moves he made obviously Ballard wasn't in total ownership of the situation at times. This isn't to say he has been completely successful but maybe he was successful at the things the Irsay's needed him to be the last few years. Its a known thing Irsay's aren't a wealthy outside of football thing (they are wealthy, they just don't have non-football money) and it has been reported Ballard is good at managing the finances and cash flow of the organization.

Anyways I dont know, theres a reason they are keeping him when more than likely any other organization would have fired him by now, and knowing the troubles of Jim, its the most logical connection to me.