The biggest weekend of the offseason has come and gone. The Indianapolis Colts brought in nine new faces to the roster in hopes they can find both immediate and future contributors.
We already handed out our grades for the draft class, but now we will be taking a look at handing out some awards for the picks. Yes, it’s rather meaningless because no one truly knows how these picks will turn out. But we can project what these picks will mean for the Colts.
As we enter a unique offseason, here are the awards for Indy’s draft class in 2020:
Mr. Right | Michael Pittman Jr. | WR | 2.34
The big-bodied wide receiver out of USC was the perfect fit for the Colts from the start. With a massive need at the position, Pittman Jr. has the skill set, frame and physicality to make an immediate impact in the passing game. He will work as the X-receiver on the boundary with the Colts hoping he sees a lot of 1v1 action.
Pittman Jr.’s fit as the X in an offense led by Philip Rivers is a big reason why the Colts targeted him. But it goes further than that. While the 6-foot-4 wide receiver fits the Colts perfectly from a schematic standpoint, he’s also everything they could ask for when it comes to character. He checks the boxes of being both a senior and a team captain, two aspects that Chris Ballard loves to target.
“[Pitttman Jr.] the type of teammate we want. We think he’s got a chance to be a heck of a player,” said Ballard after the draft. “We had Pittman ranked really high on our board. We liked him. I liked him. This kid is going to be a heck of a pro. We are excited about getting him.”
Pittman Jr. brings elite size and physicality to the boundary, but his 4.52 in the 40-yard dash and his 6.96 in the three-cone show he has the movement skills to be a strong route runner while being able to win vertically.
This is a pick that was somewhat foreseen from the start. Pittman Jr. checks every single box the Colts have when it comes to drafting, and that’s why he’s Mr. Right.
Best Value | Jonathan Taylor | RB | 2.41
At some point, it was expected the Colts would add to the running back room. Maybe it would come through a late-round pick. Or maybe Ballard would sign a veteran off the street. But not many truly expected the Colts to take a running back this early—let alone trade up for one.
But that’s what happens when arguably the best running back prospect in the draft falls to the middle of the second round. After Clyde Edwards-Helaire got fantasy football managers hot and bothered by going to the Chiefs and D’Andre Swift did quite the opposite going to Detriot, the Colts felt it was time to move up for Taylor.
In fact, the idea of trading up for the Wisconsin prospect wasn’t really in motion until Colts owner Jim Irsay suggested it.
“There was a group of about six or seven players at 34 that we were kind of talking through and Jonathan (Taylor) was in that group,” Ballard said after Day 2 of the draft. “Then all of a sudden it was at 36, 37 we started talking and actually Mr. (Jim) Irsay said, ‘Chris (Ballard), y’all have been talking about this guy and how much you love him. Y’all need to go get him.’ So at that point we became aggressive and worked out a deal with Cleveland.”
Taylor’s fit with the Colts is undeniable. His skill set is perfect to be a workhorse back in the league and while the Colts won’t use him that way—at least in Year 1—he has the chance to break off a 50-yard run at any point, especially working behind the Colts’ stout offensive line.
Even though it was a luxury pick, Taylor immediately makes the Colts offensive more explosive. Seeing as he was projected to be a first-round pick, he’s the best value in the draft for Indy.
Biggest Reach | Julian Blackmon | S | 3.85
This has less to do with Blackmon as a player and more to do with the fact that he’s still in the middle of his ACL rehab after tearing the ligament in December. Before that, Blackmon’s draft stock was relatively high—higher than the third round most likely. But after tearing his ACL at the end of the season, his draft stock plummeted.
While we won’t know for sure, the Colts may have been able to get Blackmon at a better price than the third round. Because he likely won’t be able to suit up until the season is already in full swing, teams may have let him slide to the middle of Day 3. Again, we don’t know for sure, but it’s entirely possible.
With all that said, the Colts aren’t worried about that. They have two starters at safety in Malik Hooker and Khari Willis with some depth in George Odum. Even the Colts told him that they didn’t care about paying up for the Utah product when they drafted him.
“Honestly, I had a lot of contact with the coaches, yes sir. They told me, ‘Hey, don’t be surprised if we pick you earlier than what people expect. We don’t care that you’re hurt,'” said Blackmon after he got drafted. “And here I am a Colt.”
Looking past the injury, Blackmon is a talented prospect with a lot of upside. He is extremely versatile having the ability to play both cornerback and safety. He can play in the slot and has shown athleticism and range on the field. Even though it is a bit of a reach, he can still have an impact in Year 1, even in a depth role.
Blackmon has upside and him being labeled as a reach isn’t necessarily a bad thing. But given that he won’t see the field by September or even October means the Colts may have been able to get him at a later price.
Highest Upside | Jacob Eason | QB | 4.122
From what the Colts are saying after the draft, the quarterback position really wasn’t high on their priority list. After the four quarterbacks went on Day 1, it seems they didn’t have any of the prospects on their board for the second day of the draft. But when Day 3 hit, Eason was the highest player on their board at No. 122.
Though Chris Ballard has tried to slow the hype train down, the upside that Eason has is strong. Blessed with elite size and the top arm talent in the draft class, Eason can turn into a steal if he develops. Sitting behind Philip Rivers and learning from Frank Reich will be vital to developing his game and if he can reach that potential, the sky is the limit.
“I saw a guy who has all the physical tools to play the position – size, strength, really good arm talent, can make all the throws to all spots on the field,” said Frank Reich after the draft. “For a big man, I think he has some athleticism to him – not that he is a scrambler guy. I think he is a pocket passer but has the athletic ability to move and just think he is still young and developing in the position.”
There are a lot of knocks on Eason. He needs to develop his instincts and footwork while also understanding the nuances of handling pressure and going through progressions. Those are likely the biggest areas he must work on before he will see the playing field.
There aren’t many situations that suited Eason quite like this one. It will be demanding in the room with Reich and Rivers, which gives him immense upside.
Swiss Army knife | Isaiah Rodgers | CB | 6.211
The trade for Quincy Wilson netted a pick with the Jets in the sixth round. There wasn’t a whole lot known about Rodgers when he was drafted but after some research, he seems to be a high-upside prospect who will likely compete for a role as the final cornerback in the room.
He is limited by his size at 5-foot-9 and 170 pounds, but there is a lot to like about his game. At UMass, Rodgers showed exceptional ball skills, racking up 11 interceptions during his collegiate career. his measurables are undoubtedly intriguing.
At his pro day, Rodgers reportedly ran a 4.28 in the 40 while posting a 6.90 in the three-cone drill. Those traits, while also being able to contribute on special teams, will give him a shot to compete for the final cornerback role in the room as a slot player behind Kenny Moore. That means he’s likely competing with T.J. Carrie.
Talking about versatility, Rodgers is expected to be used all over the field.
“They’re going to use me more so on nickel packages, go inside corner,” Rodgers said after he was drafted. “Definitely, in every aspect of the game with special teams from kickoff return, punt return and even gunner.”
There will be a lot of competition in the cornerback room but with his speed, ball skills and versatility, it might be hard to cut the UMass product.
Secret Weapon | Danny Pinter | OL | 5.149
Entering the final day of the draft, the Colts had a lot of players on their board. But one in particular that Chris Ballard had his eye on was Pinter, the elite athlete from Ball State. The Colts grabbed Jacob Eason in the fourth round, and Ballard immediately knew who he wanted to take next.
The only problem was, the Colts didn’t pick until 27 spots later. Pinter, who is extremely athletic, fits the culture perfectly and can play all three offensive line spots, was sure to be gone by then. So Ballard started working the phones.
“I probably won’t ever give y’all this much insight, but for like 30 minutes we were trying to move up and just couldn’t get up to get him,” Ballard said after the draft.
Pinter is an elite athlete. His short arm length might limit him to the interior, but he had solid tape working as the right tackle for the local Ball State Cardinals. He will work mostly on the interior at guard and center, but the fact that he has shown he can work on the edge makes him a secret weapon for the Colts.
Pinter is a perfect fit for the offensive line. He can play all three spots and his movement skills make him an ideal fit for the concepts Reich likes to use up front. Don’t be surprised if Pinter winds up being regarded as an underrated player on the offensive line in a year or two.
