The Indianapolis Colts 2020 Draft Picks will have a chance to impact this roster.
Looking for an offensive infusion to back Philip Rivers’ grandfatherly intuition, the Indianapolis Colts came out of the 2020 NFL Draft with a strong class, sans-first-round pick.
Though Indy was under the gun, they appear to have exited Days 2 and 3 with a number of day-one contributors. What’s the easiest way to do that, of course? Take a Heisman-caliber running back in the second round, seeing as no one would dare do so in the first.
Welcome to Indianapolis, Jonathan Taylor, who’ll be the ideal complement to Marlon Mack in a now-complete backfield.
Jonathan Taylor had 6,581 yards from scrimmage in 3 years at Wisconsin, had one of the most elite combine performaces EVER, and is playing behind the best o-line in the NFL. Please, go on about Marlon Mack.
— Dukes🚫 (@fantasydukes) July 10, 2020
Mack’s impact cannot be ignored, but Taylor was among the premier ‘backs in college football for the past two seasons. Nothing bad can come of splitting backfield carries between two unique forces, and the rookie has the perfect attitude about the new scenario, considering the wisdom he recently spat on a Colts conference call.
"“I mean, think about it: you’re a professional now,” Taylor told the media. “When people are at their jobs — I know my mother is at her job; she likes to do everything correctly to a T, as perfect as possible. And I’m taking the same approach here. I mean, whenever my number is called, I’m making sure that I’m on at all times because it’s my job now.”"
Beyond Taylor, much of Indy’s receiving hopes for beyond 2020 came from this draft, too, considering TY Hilton’s future remains uncertain.
Second-round pick Michael Pittman out of USC (Indy’s first selection) was at the forefront of the conversation — entering the draft, he was one of the top wideouts overall. But sixth-rounder Dezmon Patmon also deserves discussion. The speedy option out of Washington State should also contribute right away.
Not for nothing, but both men have already been spotted tossing with rookie backup Jacob Eason.
#Colts QB Jacob Eason throwing with WRs Michael Pittman Jr. and Dezmon Patmon in California.
— Locked On Colts Podcast (@LockedOnColts) May 16, 2020
A new era in Indy has officially begun. pic.twitter.com/Sqcq2c37zT
Based on numerology alone, the two seem poised to take over for Reggie Wayne and Marvin Harrison.
While this is obviously, er, insane, there’s plenty of reasoning for Indy fans to be optimistic.
88 ➡️ 87 ➡️ 86 ➡️ 85 | Will Michael Pittman Jr. and Dezmon Patmon carry the torch? #Colts pic.twitter.com/VWSRckkQcQ
— Ʊ Bring The Juice Ʊ (@BTJPod) May 2, 2020
While Pittman usually gets the size accolades, Patmon is also quite a large individual, measuring at 6-3 and 3/4 inches and 225 pounds at this year’s combine. In four years at Wazzu, he caught 156 passes for 1,976 yards and 13 touchdowns.
This roster could look a lot different in exactly one year’s time, and there’s no guarantee Philip Rivers will be lasting longer than a cameo. But in the meantime, Indy will be establishing plenty of precedents for the years to come.