After last weekend’s NFL interactive draft we should take a look at our Indianapolis Colts. Chris Ballard, conducting his third draft for the Horseshoe, tried a different approach this time. In trading his number #13 first round pick to the San Francisco 49ers, we received DeForest Buckner a pro bowl defensive tackle. It was the Colts’ mission to strengthen their interior defensive line and they certainly did that by adding Buckner.
The team’s first actual pick was on day two and pick #34, Michael Pittman Jr. a wide receiver from USC. He is the big bodied wide out the Colts needed opposite T.Y. Hilton. Pittman is 22 years old and is 6’ 4” and 224 pounds. Pittman grabbed 101 pass receptions for 1,275 yards and 11 touchdowns. Most scouts gave him first round grades so Ballard was very happy to get him in round two. BTW his dad, Michael Pittman, had a 10 year career as a running back in the NFL.
For their second pick in the second round, the Colts traded picks with the Browns to move up three spots to #41. They selected Jonathan Taylor, a running back from Wisconsin. Many considered Taylor the top runner available in the draft. Taylor is 21 years old, stands 5’ 10’ tall and weighs 224 pounds. He had 2,000 yard season back to back as a Badger and gained 6,174 yards on 926 carries. He scored 50 touchdowns. He caught 42 career passes for 407 yards and 5 touchdowns. Twenty-six of those receptions and all five receiving touchdowns came in his last year with the Badgers. He had a very impressive combine workout.
With the 85th pick in the third round the Colts selected defensive back Julian Blackmon from Utah. Blackmon is 6’ 1” tall and weighs 204 pounds. He played at both corner and safety for the Utes and stood out at both positions. Blackmon will most likely be used as a utility back and play special where his speed and strength will be an asset.
On the fourth round with the #122 pick the Horseshoe selected Washington quarterback Jacob Eason. At the end of his 2019 season Eason, at 6’6” and 231 pounds, was considered one of the top prospects in the draft. However as time went on, questions about his passing accuracy and play calling ability sprang up, so he dropped from a possible late 1st round selection to the 4th round. He will have a few years to play behind Philip Rivers and learn the pro game.
Danny Pinter, offensive guard from Ball State was taken by the Colts in the fifth round at pick #149. Pinter came from South Bend and started out with the Cardinals as a tight end. He was moved to right tackle as a sophomore and for his senior season the 6’ 4” 305 pounder was named the team’s most valuable player. He will give the team some depth at center and offensive guard.
On the sixth round the Colts had four selections: defensive tackle Robert Warren from Penn State, Isaiah Rodgers, cornerback from UMass; Dezmon Patmon wide receiver from Washington State, and Jordan Glasgow an outside linebacker from Michigan.
The second round of free agency will affect the roster so there is still a long way to go before the 2020 Colts are set.
snicewanger@yahoo.com