2021 NFL Draft: Indianapolis Colts Pre-Draft Analysis, Needs, Mock Draft Picks

2021 NFL Draft: From the college perspective, Indianapolis Colts pre-draft analysis, team needs, mock draft picks, and what they need to do.

2021 NFL Draft: From the college perspective, Indianapolis Colts pre-draft analysis, team needs, mock draft picks, and what they need to do.


Indianapolis Colts 2021 NFL Draft Analysis

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CFN 2021 NFL Draft Prospect Rankings
from the college perspective …
QB | RB | WR | TE | OT | OG & C
DE & Edge | DT | LB | CB | Safeties
Top 105 2021 NFL Draft Prospects

In hindsight, of course Jonathan Taylor should’ve gone earlier than the 41. It would’ve been nice if Jacob Eason looked so good that he could’ve taken over for Phil Rivers, but without a first rounder, the Colts got a franchise back in Taylor, a decent receiver in Michael Pittman, and have a potential safety in Julian Blackman. But now …

The Colts have two of the first 54 picks, and then everything else is in the fourth round and beyond – so it’s a two player draft. The Colts have to get a pass rushing defensive end, and several should be there at the 21. They also need help at offensive tackle, and several should be there at the 54. Or …

Package the picks. Every GM thinks he can find value in the later rounds, but getting anything beyond a special teamer or anyone who can be a meaningful part of the depth chart is dumb luck. There’s just enough capital to come up with something to move up a few spots – maybe even turn that fourth into a third – and add a little more to this class.

Indianapolis Colts 2021 NFL Draft Analysis: Mock Draft Picks

Before all the trades and craziness changes it up, here’s our guess on the Indianapolis Colts 2 Round NFL Mock Draft early picks.

1 (21) DE Jaelen Phillips, Miami
2 (54) OT Stone Forsythe, Florida

Indianapolis Colts 2021 NFL Draft Analysis: 2021 NFL Draft Picks

1: 21
2: 54
4: 127
5: 165
6: 206
7: 248

Indianapolis Colts 2021 NFL Draft Analysis: 2020 NFL Draft Picks

2 WR Michael Pittman, USC
2 RB Jonathan Taylor, Wisconsin
3 S Julian Blackmon, Utah
4 QB Jacob Eason, Washington
5 OG Danny Pinter, Ball State
6 DT Robert Windsor, Penn State
6 CB Isaiah Rodgers, UMass
6 WR Dezmon Patmon, Washington State
6 LB Jordan Glasgow, Michigan

CFN 2021 NFL Draft Prospect Rankings
from the college perspective …
QB | RB | WR | TE | OT | OG & C
DE & Edge | DT | LB | CB | Safeties
Top 105 2021 NFL Draft Prospects
2 Round NFL Mock Draft
Greatest Draft Picks For Each College
ACC | Big Ten | Big 12 | Pac-12 | SEC
32 Greatest Draft Picks of All-Time
2022 Top 32 Pro Prospects | By Position

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Twitter reacts: Rodrigo Blankenship wins Colts’ job as starting kicker

Georgia Bulldogs kicker Rodrigo Blankenship has won the starting job at kicker for the Indianapolis Colts

Former Georgia Bulldogs star kicker Rodrigo Blankenship has won the starting kicker job for the Indianapolis Colts over incumbent Chase McLaughlin. Blankenship will make his NFL debut Sept. 13 against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Blankenship went undrafted in April’s NFL Draft but was quickly signed by the Indianapolis Colts.

Blankenship had a distinguished career at the University of Georgia. He instantly became a fan favorite after hitting a game-winning field goal at Kentucky in 2016. He went on to win the prestigious Lou Groza Award as a senior.

Blankenship earned a $20,000 signing bonus from the Colts according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.

The Colts don’t have a back up kicker on their practice squad indicating their confidence in Hot Rod. Blankenship, like all NFL kickers will have pressure on every kick, even extra points, since they are longer (33 yards) nowadays.

Here’s how Twitter reacted to the new of Blankenship taking the starting role in Indianapolis:

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Former Georgia K Rodrigo Blankenship wins Colts’ kicking job

Former Georgia Bulldogs kicker Rodrigo Blankenship has won the starting job at kicker for the Indianapolis Colts

Former Georgia Bulldogs kicker Rodrigo Blankenship has won the starting job at kicker for the Indianapolis Colts. Blankenship is slated to make his NFL debut Sept. 3 against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Here’s what USA TODAY wrote about Blankenship, who went undrafted in April’s draft but was quickly signed by the Indianapolis Colts.

He won the Groza Award, honoring the nation’s top kicker, while at Georgia last year but didn’t get picked in April. Blankenship connected on 84% of his field goals over the past three seasons and converted all 200 of his extra-point tries in college, though he’ll have to adapt to the NFL’s longer PAT. Still, if Blankenship can beat out Chase McLaughlin, he could become a crucial part of the Colts roster and potentially ensure the door closes on Adam Vinatieri.

Blankenship had a distinguished career at the University of Georgia. He instantly became a fan favorite after hitting a game-winning field goal at Kentucky in 2016. Now, he’ll look to replace an NFL legend, former Colts and Patriots kicker Adam Vinatieri.

Blankenship landed a $20,000 signing bonus according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. Hot Rod beat out incumbent kicker Chase McLaughlin to win Indianapolis’s starting job.

Blankenship may still have some pressure if McLaughlin makes the Colts’ practice squad. Still, NFL kickers have pressure on every kick, even extra points, since they are longer nowadays.

Blankenship is one of the best kickers in Georgia history, and one of the greatest to ever do it in the SEC. He made 82.5% of his kicks and all 200 of his career extra points at Georgia, including a bizarre make against Tennessee.

Former Georgia K Rodrigo Blankenship an instant-impact NFL rookie

Former UGA football K Rodrigo Blankenship, now with the Indianapolis Colts, was tabbed as an instant-impact NFL rookie by USA Today.

USA TODAY recently released its list of 20 NFL draftees who could become instant-impact rookies in the 2020 NFL season.

Making the list were two former Georgia football players, D’Andre Swift and Rodrigo Blankenship.

Swift checked in at No. 7 on the list with Blankenship rounding out the list at No. 20.

We touched on Swift here.

Here’s what USA TODAY wrote about Blankenship, who went undrafted in April’s draft but was quickly signed by the Indianapolis Colts.

He won the Groza Award, honoring the nation’s top kicker, while at Georgia last year but didn’t get picked in April. Blankenship connected on 84% of his field goals over the past three seasons and converted all 200 of his extra-point tries in college, though he’ll have to adapt to the NFL’s longer PAT. Still, if Blankenship can beat out Chase McLaughlin, he could become a crucial part of the Colts roster and potentially ensure the door closes on Adam Vinatieri.

Blankenship had a distinguished career at the University of Georgia. He became a fan favorite after hitting a game-winning field goal at Kentucky in 2016. Now, he’ll look to replace an NFL legend in former Colts kicker Adam Vinatieri.

Blankenship landed a $20,000 signing bonus according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. Hot Rod will have to compete with Chase McLaughlin to win Indianapolis’s starting job at kicker.

Blankenship is one of the best kickers in Georgia history, and one of the greatest to ever do it in the SEC. He made 82.5% of his kicks and all 200 of his career extra points at Georgia.