Rivers may be the short term answer at quarterback for the Colts and it remains to be seen who they turn to long term, but the logic in building the skill position talent around an aging veteran is sound. Providing a sort of prebuilt offensive scheme with talented receivers and running backs for a young qb to step right into and have success. If you build it they will come is an adage that was once used about great NFL free agent qbs, and it's no different for a rookie qb this year or next for Indy. Solidifying your roster now, will only mean more success long term.
Drafting WR Michael Pittman Jr., and RB Jonathon Taylor in the second round gave the Colts two of the better known, and more polished talents at their respective positions. Pittman Jr. strikes me as the next Allen Robinson, a 6'2-6'3 guy 220 lbs, true X receiver that can win 50-50 balls on the perimeter, and provide an excellent target in the redzone to help make up for the loss of the Devin Fuchness, and Eric Ebron leaving in free agency. Jonathon Taylor is a man amongst boys as a running back. At 5'11 220 lbs running a 4.39 40 yard dash, Taylor is a guy with the top line speed, agility, and power to be a 3 down back. Something the Colts have lacked for years.
But they didnt stop there. In the 3rd round they addressed the secondary with a versatile DB who should play several roles for this team going forward. The 6'0 187 lb former cornerback has the athletic ability to be a solid match up with most tight ends and running backs at the next level. He can play as a big nickel defender, or come down in the box on running downs if needed. Julian Blackmon is a guy I expect to play a lot for the Colts even though they have solid depth in the secondary. They did let go of Quincy Wilson, and Pierre Desir. Maybe he plays more as a cornerback to begin with.
In the 4th round the Colts addressed the future at the qb position with QB Jacob Eason. Eason drafted out of Washington has a lot of the same knocks on him as Rivers has. Lack of mobility, stands tall in the pocket, and sometimes will take big hits because of this. He has the potential to develop into a starter or the floor as a career backup. It really just depends if Reich and company can harness his arm strength but teach him touch. He strikes me as the type of guy Reich can get a lot out of. I envision him being in the conversation to replace Rivers if he leaves in 2021. If he stays past 2021 the likelihood that this guy winds up being his successor goes up in volumes. Ultimately this is the perfect kind of qb to draft in the 4th round.
In the 5th round the Colts decided to add depth to their offensive line a spot that saw some loss this offseason with Center Josh Andrews and Guard Joe Haeg moving on. Danny Pinter is an offensive lineman by trade but this is a raw prospect who only 2 years ago was playing tight end in college before moving to tackle in 2018. He has solid athleticism for his size, and adds value as an eligible receiver in jumbo sets and as a swing guard for now. Solid value for a pick in the 5th round.
Their first of four 6th round picks was used on Robert Windsor defensive tackle, Penn State. I think this guy will be one of those sleeper picks that winds up being a valuable rotational tackle in the Colts defense. In 2019 the Colts transitioned back to running a 4-3 base defense but still use some 3-4 concepts. Windsor is an attacking presence in the passing game and could play a versatile role lining up inside as a tackle in 4 lineman fronts and as an end in 3 lineman fronts. In four years of college Windsor played in 57 games as a redshirt senior. He showed solid production with 120 tackles, 19 for a loss, 13 sacks, 2 forced fumbles and 3 recoveries. This guy was never a true starter in college and that is basically where he projects in the NFL, he will add depth, play some special teams, and play a rotational role but if he is starting long term you might be in trouble. He could be a practice squad candidate in year one unless he impresses enough in camp to beat out someone on the roster.
The Colts then had three picks in a row from pick 211-213. They used them on these players:
211-Isaiah Rodgers cornerback and kick returner from UMass. He stands 5'10 170 lbs. he collected 11 ints in 4 years in college, scoring 4 tds on turnovers.
212-Dezmon Patmon wide receiver from Washington State. Patmon is a Devin Fuchness replacement if he sticks at 6'4 225 lbs with his 4.48 speed and explosiveness that was on display when he recorded the third longest broad jump in the combine. Patmon was also productive catching 156 passes for 1,976 yards and 13 tds. However 119 receptions, 1,578 yards and 13 tds coming over the past two seasons. I expect him to make the roster as a 5th or 6th receiver simply due to his athletic profile.
213-Jordan Glasgow Linebacker Michigan. Known for his undying motor, and special teams prowess he was only a one year starter but produced well in that one season with 89 tackles, 5 sacks, 2 passes defended, 1 blocked kick. At 6'1 225 lbs he could stand to gain some weight if they intend for him to play a true LB role. However the position he played in college was a hybrid safety role. He was asked to cover tight ends, blitz the passer, and help defend the run.
The Colts originally entered the draft with 7 picks after the Buckner trade but Ballard wanted to trade down and pick up more mid to late round picks. He traded down from pick #75 in the 3rd round tossing in a 6th round pick #197 overall. They acquired the 85th overall pick moving down just 10 spots netted them a 5th round pick #149, and a 6th round pick #193 overall.
They weren't done yet, trading away one of two 6th round picks, #182 overall to acquire two 6th round picks from the Patriots picks 212 and 213.
With one last trade the Colts traded away a 2017 2nd round draft pick with a history of injuries in Quincy Wilson to the Jets for pick #211, which was in turn used to draft his replacement, Isaiah Rodgers a cornerback and kick returner.
All in all Chris Ballard has dominated the middle rounds of the draft through three seasons as the GM in Indy. He has now selected 30 players in 3 drafts and I expect this trend to continue. Indy has developed a strategy of trading first round picks for proven (or so they think, Trent Richardson) veteran players while using trades to acquire more mid round picks. The second part of their strategy is picking players that can play right away in rounds 2 and 3. Ballard's success in round 2 is unrivaled in his 3 years.
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