The Colts, who have had a strong and busy free agency thus far, are in store for an unprecedented NFL Draft.
Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard is confident in the organization’s plan of attack for the draft though.
“We’ll be prepared for anything on draft weekend, and we’ll have our work done,” Ballard told Peter King for Football Morning in America. “All 32 teams will play by the same rules, so that’s fine with us.”
On April 23 to 25, 2020, the draft will take place in Paradise, Nevada, but it will be completely virtual:
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell just informed clubs in a memo that club facilities will remain closed indefinitely and the league will conduct a “fully virtual” draft, with club personnel separately located in their homes. pic.twitter.com/28t2kNnLAI
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) April 6, 2020
Second Round: Pick No. 34 and No. 44
The Colts have several needs heading into the draft, and they can target many offensive players in the second round.
With 38-year-old Philip Rivers entering his 17th year in the league, the Colts may be looking at a quarterback in the second round.
Rivers signed a one-year contract during the offseason.
Although Jacoby Brissett is the team’s current backup quarterback, he does not seem to be the team’s quarterback of the future.
There are plenty of options this year for a player under center, and some of those are Jacob Eason and Jake Fromm.
Utah State’s Jordan Love is reportedly garnering interest from the Colts as of late.
His 2019 was not as strong as his season two years ago in which he threw for 32 touchdowns and just six interceptions.
Not only can Indianapolis find a pass thrower in the second round, but the team can also draft a pass-catcher to help the future quarterback.
Denzel Mims, who had 28 career touchdowns in college, and Justin Jefferson, who scored 18 touchdowns in 2019, are among the Colts’ best options at wide receiver early in the draft.
Third and Fourth Rounds: Pick No. 75 and No. 122
Indianapolis has one draft pick each in the third and fourth rounds.
The Colts could trade one of these picks to move up in the draft to improve their offense further.
The best value seems to be at the beginning of the second round though.
If the team does not trade any picks, the Colts should be targeting cornerbacks and edge rushers in the later rounds of the draft.
There are several late-round prospects that Indianapolis can select, but two of the best ones are San Diego State’s Luqman Barcoo and Miami’s Jonathan Garvin.
Star cornerback Barcoo led the NCAA in interceptions and passes defended in 2019.
Defensive lineman Garvin had a tremendous sophomore season in 2018, as his 17 tackles for loss ranked third in the ACC.
Fifth and Six Rounds: Pick No. 160, No. 193, and No. 197
The Colts have three picks in the final two rounds of the draft.
If the organization does not make a deal that includes these picks, they can continue to sure up the offense with a flier on a receiver or tight end.
The absence of Eric Ebron, who said that the Colts wanted him to play while he was hurt, will be felt in 2020.
The Colts have yet to add to the receiving corps, and it would be helpful to get any type of pass-catcher to replace Ebron’s targets and catches.
The team may also have to sure up its kicking position.
In 2019, Adam Vinatieri struggled mightily, but Chase McLaughlin came in and played well.
The Colts expressed confidence in Chase McLaughlin and signed him through the 2020 season.
The team could still draft Georgia kicker Rodrigo Blankenship to produce a preseason kicker battle.
NEXT: 3 Takeaways From The Indianapolis Colts Busy Free Agency