The Indianapolis Colts, who had an impressive offseason, complemented that with a strong second day at the 2020 NFL Draft.
Prior to the draft, general manager Chris Ballard acquired defensive lineman DeForest Buckner in exchange for the Colts’ first-round selection in 2020.
He then improved the team’s offense considerably with three of the first four 2020 draft picks.
Here is one reason to be excited about each of the Colts draft picks:
Michael Pittman Jr.: Wide Receiver (USC) – No. 34, 2nd Round
Colts owner Jim Irsay has compared Pittman, who could be a star wide receiver in the NFL, to Reggie Wayne:
Michael Pittman Jr. looks so smooth running the gauntlet drill at 6’4″. #Colts owner Jim Irsay sees a lot of Reggie Wayne qualities in Pittman. pic.twitter.com/8H12lBjdXI
— Locked On Colts Podcast (@LockedOnColts) April 27, 2020
Pittman Jr. is the son of former NFL running back and Super Bowl champion Michael Pittman.
The younger Pittman led the Pac-12 in receptions and receiving yards in 2019.
Jonathan Taylor: Running Back (Wisconsin) – No. 41, 2nd Round
Jonathan Taylor, who was a Heisman Trophy candidate in each of his three collegiate seasons, was one of the best running backs after contact.
Jonathan Taylor yards AFTER contact
2017: 1,355 (1st)
2018: 1,309 (2nd)
2019: 1,257 (2nd) pic.twitter.com/g8uyw9HXHU— PFF Draft (@PFF_College) April 24, 2020
Julian Blackmon: Safety (Utah) – No. 85, 3rd Round
Blackmon had four interceptions each in 2017 and 2019:
Julian Blackmon = ballhawk
9 career INTs for the new #Colts safety, including 4 in 2019-20 for Utah: pic.twitter.com/hiqbny98Pl
— Locked On Colts Podcast (@LockedOnColts) April 25, 2020
His interception total during his senior year led the Pac-12.
Blackmon also had a career-high 60 tackles, 1.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles in 2019.
Jacob Eason: Quarterback (Washington) – No. 122, 4th Round
The Colts may have found their future franchise quarterback with Eason in the fourth round:
New #Colts QB Jacob Eason has the best arm in the 2020 draft class. Some of these throws Eason can pull off are ridiculous.
Going to Frank Reich school for two years to sit behind Philip Rivers could be exactly what’s needed for Eason to reach his sky-high ceiling. pic.twitter.com/g7fC6kJcyf
— Locked On Colts Podcast (@LockedOnColts) April 25, 2020
Eason can throw the ball with the best of them.
During his seasons with the 2016 Georgia Bulldogs and 2019 Washington Huskies, he ranked high in many leaderboards.
In his only full season as the Georgia starter (2016), he ranked in the top 10 in the SEC in completions, completion percentage, passing yards, and touchdowns.
Then in 2019, he ranked fourth in passing yards in the Pac-12.
His 23 touchdowns during his year at Washington ranked fifth in the conference.
His 6.8 yards per play were sixth in the Pac-12.
Danny Pinter: Offensive Line (Ball State) – No. 149, 5th Round
A native of South Bend, Indiana, Pinter attended John Adams High School before playing for the Ball State Cardinals.
BOOM!
South Bend native Danny Pinter drafted by the Colts in the 5th round!
Indiana boy staying home!!
The Ball State offensive lineman is the 1st South Bend Adams alum drafted by the NFL in 30 years when Anthony Johnson was selected in 1990.
Congrats Danny. pic.twitter.com/XfPtxK2iH6
— Angelo Di Carlo (@angdicarlo) April 25, 2020
During his time at Ball State, Pinter played tight end through the end of the 2017 season.
He scored two touchdowns during his collegiate career.
At 306-lb, 6’4″, Pinter then moved to the offensive line in 2018.
The redshirt senior played so well that he was First-Team All-Mac in his senior year.
Rob Windsor: Defensive Tackle (Penn State) – No. 193, 6th Round
Before playing at Penn State, Windsor grew up and went to high school in Wisconsin.
The first of the Colts’ sixth round selections chose Penn State over several other schools, including Wisconsin and Illinois.
His career high in sacks (6.5) and tackles for loss (10) came in 2018.
Windsor stepped up his tackling for a college-best 40 tackles in his senior year in 2019:
Derice also scouted Robert Windsor… Says he played primarily nose tackle this year and he envisions him beginning his career in Indy at the same spot. But he is definitely capable of playing 3-tech as well.
— Stephen Holder (@HolderStephen) April 26, 2020
Isaiah Rodgers: Cornerback (UMass) – No. 211, 6th Round
The Colts traded cornerback Quincy Wilson (No. 46 overall pick in 2017) to the New York Jets for Rodgers.
Rodgers’ speed makes him a strong pick in the sixth round:
Isaiah Rodgers had an ex-NFL scout track his Pro Day, and he timed him at 4.28 in the 40.
— Joel A. Erickson (@JoelAErickson) April 25, 2020
Dezmon Patmon: Wide Receiver (Washington State), No. 212 – 6th Round
Patmon has been compared to Michael Pittman Jr., and the Colts may have drafted him for the similarity:
Dezmon Patmon is a sneaky good pick for the #Colts. Pretty similar to Michael Pittman. Big body, very athletic for his size.
— The GOAT House (@GoatHouseNFL) April 25, 2020
Jordan Glasgow: Linebacker (Michigan) – No. 213, 6th Round
How did the tackler with Pro Football Focus’ highest grade make it all the way to the sixth round?
Well, it seems that that Colts were asking the same question:
NEXT: Marlon Mack Responds To Colts Drafting Jonathan TaylorThe Colts land the highest graded tackler in the 2020 NFL Draft class
Jordan Glasgow Michigan LB pic.twitter.com/a3f1zkVssb
— PFF Draft (@PFF_College) April 25, 2020
