The Indianapolis Colts finished the NFL Draft with an excellent assessment.
At least, that’s what the experts are saying.
Over the course of the three-day draft, the Colts selected the following players:
- Michael Pittman Jr: Wide Receiver (USC)-No. 34, 2nd Round
- Jonathan Taylor: Running Back (Wisconsin)-No. 41, 2nd Round
- Julian Blackmon: Safety (Utah)-No. 85, 3rd Round
- Jacob Eason: Quarterback (Washington)-No. 122, 4th Round
- Danny Pinter: Offensive Line (Ball State), No. 149, 5th Round
- Rob Windsor: Defensive Tackle (Penn State), No. 193, 6th Round
- Isaiah Rodgers: Cornerback (UMass), No. 211, 6th Round
- Dezmon Patmon: Wide Receiver (Washington State), No. 212, 6th Round
- Jordan Glasgow: Linebacker (Michigan), No. 213, 6th Round
Some of the most notable analysts across the country gave the Colts a great draft grade.
Here are some of their takes.
Luke Easterling, Draft Wire…Grade: B
Easterling described the Colts as “nailing” their first choice of the draft with Pittman Jr.
He acknowledged that Pittman Jr. will provide a strong, physical target like TY Hilton.
Easterling also liked the move to trade up three spots to grab running back Jonathan Taylor.
Despite Taylor not being the first RB off the board, many viewed him as the best running back in the class.
Easterling also described Eason as “the perfect bargain” in the fourth round.
“What are they getting?”
They’re getting a two-time Doak Walker Award winner, a relentless worker, a humble leader and one of the best teammates you could ask for.@Colts meet @JayT23 pic.twitter.com/VNkRvqSAiE
— Wisconsin Football (@BadgerFootball) April 24, 2020
Doug Farrar, Touchdown Wire…Grade: B
Farrar believes that Utah cornerback Julian Blackmon can be converted to safety and views that as a huge plus.
However, Farrar believes that drafting Eason in the fourth round was a “wasted pick.”
Farrar went onto further explain that Frank Reich does not have “the quarterback-developing skills” to help make Eason into a starting quarterback.
The Colts signed Phillip Rivers to a one-year deal but at age 38, he is not the long-term fit.
Farrar believes that Eason is not the solution either.
Indy looking toward the future? 👀
Colts take Washington QB Jacob Eason in the fourth round of the NFL draft pic.twitter.com/NnEK0RiXDI
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) April 25, 2020
Nate Davis, USA Today…Grade: A
Davis viewed the selection of Eason as a “low-risk, high reward” type of pick.
He also joined the ranks of loving the picks of Pittman and Taylor.
In his eyes, the Colts “feel like they reeled in a pair of first-rounders in Round 2.”
However, Davis believes that the best move was before the draft, which was trading the team’s first-round pick (No. 13 overall) to the 49ers for DeForest Buckner.
DeFo is EATIN 🍽@DeForestBuckner SACK!#BeLegendary pic.twitter.com/jr2LkjvoJn
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) February 3, 2020
Mel Kiper Jr., ESPN…Grade: A-
Kiper was a “huge fan” of taking Pittman, citing that he has “legitimate No. 1 potential.”
Kiper compared Pittman to Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver and former USC standout JuJu Smith-Schuster.
As for Taylor, Kiper called him “one of the most prolific running backs in college football history.”
In his eyes, he viewed Taylor as a first-round prospect.
Kiper thought that taking Eason in the fourth round was a solid sneak.
As for the Day 3 picks, Kiper called Danny Pinter an “intriguing developmental tackle,” while citing that Isaiah Rodgers could provide “some juice in the return game.”
Great Team Win pic.twitter.com/7eet0YyMoA
— IsaiahRodgers (@rodgers_isaiah) September 23, 2018
Chad Reuter, NFL.com…Grade: A-
Besides repeating what the other analysts said about Pittman, Taylor, and Eason, Reuter had a few other points.
For starters, Reuter questioned if the price for Buckner was too steep, given that Javon Kinlaw was still on the board at No. 13.
As for Danny Pinter, he liked the idea of keeping him in the state of Indiana.
Reuter eventually went on to say that Jordan Glasgow could be “a future special teams Pro Bowler.
NEXT: Indianapolis Colts Sign Undrafted Kicker Rodrigo BlankenshipMichigan’s Jordan Glasgow blocked a punt pic.twitter.com/Hc2GsaLhjd
— Brad Galli (@BradGalli) October 12, 2019