The 2020 NFL draft has come and gone and with it, the Indianapolis Colts bring in a new crop of rookies. After wheeling and dealing their way to nine picks, the Colts have a lot of promise coming out of the draft.
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For the most part, the Colts fared well in the draft. They took several athletic players with high upside and even added a quarterback to the room on Day 3. But how do the experts feel about the draft class for Indy?
Here are some of the expert grades on the newest additions for the Colts:
Luke Easterling, Draft Wire — Grade: B
What they said: “Like their AFC South counterparts in Houston, the Colts didn’t have a first-round pick, but at least they have an All-Pro in defensive tackle DeForest Buckner in its place. They did have an early pick in the second round, courtesy of last year’s first-round trade with Washington, and they nailed their first choice.
USC wide receiver Michael Pittman, Jr. is a big, physical target who pairs perfectly with T.Y Hilton. Later in the second, the Colts made a bold but surprising move to trade up three spots for Wisconsin’s Jonathan Taylor, this year’s top running back prospect. A backfield with Taylor and Marlon Mack will be terrifying for opposing defenses.
Utah safety Julian Blackmon was a reach in the third round, but Washington quarterback Jacob Eason is the perfect understudy for Philip Rivers, and he was a bargain in the fourth round. The late-round picks were hit or miss, but the Colts did all the damage they needed to do in the early rounds.”
Doug Farrar, Touchdown Wire —Grade: B
What they said: “Giving their first-round pick to the 49ers for DeForest Buckner was a worthy move, and the Colts turned around in the second round and gave Philip Rivers an estimable target in Michael Pittman. The USC alum is a big, physical target, and one of the more overlooked deep receivers in this class. Wisconsin running back Jonathan Taylor adds to Indy’s highly productive rushing attack as a high-rep guy. Over time, third-round pick Julian Blackmon, a cornerback conversion to safety, could be a top-tier defender. However, unless head coach Frank Reich is able to take his quarterback-developing skills to the next level, Washington’s Jacob Eason seems like a wasted pick in the fourth round. Yes, Eason fits the NFL’s preferred “Big Guy/Big Arm” paradigm, but from reading defenses to consistent accuracy, to questions about his work ethic, it’s tough to view Eason as a draftable prospect.”
Nate Davis, USA TODAY — Grade: A
What they said: “‘Feels’ like they reeled in a pair of first-round talents in Round 2, WR Michael Pittman and RB Jonathan Taylor adding serious juice to new QB Philip Rivers’ supporting cast, both capable of instantly assuming leading roles. And investing a fourth-rounder into physically gifted QB Jacob Eason to see how he develops behind Rivers goes into the low-risk, high-reward category. But GM Chris Ballard’s best move was spending his 13th overall selection on 49ers DT DeForest Buckner, a man worthy of his vast cap resources. Aces. ”
Mel Kiper Jr., ESPN — Grade: A-
What they said: “So, how did Ballard fare this year? I’m a huge fan of 6-foot-4 wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr., who has legitimate No. 1 potential. He reminds me of former USC wideout JuJu Smith-Schuster, and they ran similar 40 times at the combine. For a wide receiver corps that struggled with injuries and ineffectiveness last season, Pittman will provide a spark. The Colts traded up three spots to snag Jonathan Taylor (41), one of the most prolific running backs in college football history. I thought he might sneak into the first round.
Then there’s quarterback Jacob Eason (122), whom Indianapolis was able to snag in the fourth round. I thought he was a fit for the Colts with one of their second-rounders, so that’s another good value, and I’m surprised no other team took a chance on him on Day 2. He was some consistency problems, but you won’t find many quarterbacks ever with his physical tools and 6-foot-6 frame. He’s raw, but there’s no reason he has to play anytime soon. This is a good spot for him. Local kid Danny Pinter (149) is an intriguing developmental tackle for Day 3, and wide receiver Dezmon Patmon (212) is another big 6-foot-4 pass-catcher with some tools. Isaiah Rodgers (211) has some juice in the return game.
Will this class get Indy back to the playoffs? It’s certainly possible. It should challenge for the AFC South title with Tennessee and Houston.”
Chad Reuter, NFL.com — Grade: A-
What they said: “GM Chris Ballard picked up a big-bodied receiver (Pittman) for new quarterback Philip Rivers and traded up for a stud running back (Taylor) on Day 2 of the draft. Was the trade for DeForest Buckner worth the hefty price tag, especially considering Javon Kinlaw was available at No. 13? Will Pittman be better than Denzel Mims or Chase Claypool? Time will tell.
Eason eventually taking over for Philip Rivers makes so much sense. Rivers is a true leader under whom the talented Eason can learn and continue developing. Keeping the athletic Pinter in the state of Indiana as a backup guard/tackle makes a lot of sense for the Colts. Windsor is a pest up front who, along with Blackmon, Rodgers and Glasgow (a future special teams Pro Bowler) should add plenty of depth on defense. Indy traded 2017 second-rounder Quincy Wilson to the Jets for the sixth-round pick they used on Rodgers — not a great return, but I guess something is better than nothing.”
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