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Colts: PFF predicts two rookies to start on offense in 2020

By Jacob Schyvinck

BERKELEY, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 16: Michael Pittman Jr. #6 of the USC Trojans catches a touchdown pass over Elijah Hicks #3 of the California Golden Bears during the second quarter of an NCAA football game at California Memorial Stadium on November 16, 2019 in Berkeley, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
BERKELEY, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 16: Michael Pittman Jr. #6 of the USC Trojans catches a touchdown pass over Elijah Hicks #3 of the California Golden Bears during the second quarter of an NCAA football game at California Memorial Stadium on November 16, 2019 in Berkeley, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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Pro Football Focus predicts two rookies to start for the Indianapolis Colts in 2020.

The dust has settled from the 2020 NFL Draft, and now the Indianapolis Colts will be shifting towards the 2020 NFL season. That means it’s time to start working through the roster to figure out who will start and who could get cut before everyone suits up in week one.

Pro Football Focus writer Ben Linsey put together an article projecting the 22 starters for every NFL team. The Colts definitely had some roster turnover throughout the offseason, and a good number of additions are projected to start. The starting 22 includes a pair of rookies, which may seem a little shocking at first.

Both second round picks, Wisconsin running back Jonathan Taylor and USC wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr., were the projected starters in the article. Pittman Jr. joins a receiving core that has T.Y. Hilton and is expecting more out of second year player Parris Campbell, but he brings a different skill set to the table than most. His ability to high point the football and win down the field will gel well with quarterback Philip Rivers, and he will likely slide into the “X” role in Frank Reich’s offense. Despite being that big-bodied receiver, Pittman Jr. has the ability to separate quickly as well.

Taylor being listed as a projected starter may be a bit of a surprise, especially with Marlon Mack having established himself as the current starter in Indianapolis. Mack rushed for 1,091 yards and eight touchdowns in 2019, but when asked about it, general manager Chris Ballard stated there wouldn’t be talks for an extension.

That doesn’t mean that Taylor will be the starter heading in to the year. In reality, there will likely be a committee approach for the Colts in 2020, with both Mack and Taylor getting early down work, along with them and Nyheim Hines getting opportunities on third down.

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The battles in camp will be fun, and it will be interesting to see who “wins” the starting job at the running back position, and whether or not Pittman Jr. ends up starting on the outside as well.

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