The Indianapolis Colts do not have a 1st round draft pick in the 2020 Draft.
To acquire DeForest Buckner, the team traded its 13th overall pick to the San Francisco 49ers.
Their first pick is at 34th overall (2nd pick of the 2nd round).
With the draft still a couple of weeks away, it is fun to speculate if the wheeling-and-dealing GM Chris Ballard would concoct a trade proposition to jump back into the 1st round and snag one of these guys.
1. Jordan Love – Utah State QB
By now, everyone knows that Philip Rivers will be the starting QB for the Colts this season.
He signed a 1 year 25 million dollar contract.
Also noteworthy is that last year’s starter and current backup QB Jacoby Brissett is in the 4th and final year of his contract.
With the QB of the future to be determined, enter Utah State QB Jordan Love.
He’s had contact with the Colts but is projected to go as the 20th Pick in the USA Today Mock Draft, and the Colts are not the only team with a veteran QB trying to figure out who its future star might be.
With Jordan Love you’re talking about the ability to be a top 5 QB in the NFL I’d put in the right position. I would imagine that New Orleans will move up for Love like they tried to do for Mahomes. Love is not being talked about enough. #NFLDraft
— Alec Pulido (@AlecMPulido) April 10, 2020
Are the Colts ready to make the leap to draft a QB in the first round?
Since the Colts have a stellar history of drafting 1st round QBs that have outstanding NFL careers (Remember Peyton Manning and Andrew Luck?), they just might.
Let’s assume the Colts opt not to draft Love and decide to patch a perceived hole on the 2020 team.
That leads us to #2 and #3 who are WRs that could help T.Y. Hilton.
2. Denzel Mims – Baylor WR
Denzel Mims has speed combined with great instincts and hands.
Known for his ability to make contested catches, he earned 20 in 2019.
Baylor WR Denzel Mims: 39 contested catches since 2017
1st among all WRs pic.twitter.com/1e1JGgifVy
— PFF Draft (@PFF_College) April 3, 2020
Mims has netted nearly 3,000 yards and 28 TDs during his college career.
His stock rose after the 2020 Senior Bowl and NFL Combine.
He ran a 4.38 40 yard dash and made acrobatic catches under pressure in Senior Bowl practice sessions.
Projected as the 21st pick overall by USA Today, the Colts had a FaceTime interview with him so he is definitely on the team’s radar.
3. Justin Jefferson – LSU WR
Justin Jefferson was a favorite target of Heisman Trophy winner Joe Burrow in 2019.
Catching 111 passes for 1,540 yards and 18 TDs is by any definition a great season.
USA Today has him as the 23rd overall pick.
His size is a concern with the physicality of the NFL game.
He is 6’1″ and 202 lbs.
Scouts believe he can contribute in the NFL, perhaps not as a #1 elite receiver.
With T.Y. Hilton as the Colts’ #1 receiver, Jefferson could fit the bill.
Rumors persist that the Eagles are in hot pursuit of Jefferson also.
With the 21st overall pick, the Eagles are in an ideal position to draft Jefferson if they choose.
What About the Defense?
Yes, there are a bevy of defensive prospects in the 2020 NFL Draft.
They did not make this list because the Colts used free agency to fill those holes with signings of DeForest Buckner, Xavier Rhodes, Sheldon Day, and TJ Carrie.
Draft day is coming but until then, let the speculation continue.
NEXT: What Changes Can The Colts Expect With Philip Rivers?
