By Playbook staff

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS

Round 2 (34): WR Michael Pittman Jr., USC
Round 2 (41): RB Jonathan Taylor, Wisconsin
Round 3 (85): S Julian Blackmon, Utah
Round 4 (122): QB Jacob Eason, Washington
Round 5 (149): IOL Danny Pinter, Ball State
Round 6 (193): DI Robert Windsor, Penn State
Round 6 (211): CB Isaiah Rodgers, UMass
Round 6 (212): WR Dezmon Patmon, Washington State
Round 6 (213): LB Jordan Glasgow, Michigan

1st Round: Indianapolis has made the playoffs only in the last five years and with Andrew Luck now cashing retirement checks, it was approaching dire straits entering this year’s draft. For starters, the Colts traded away its 13th overall pick to the San Francisco 49ers in exchange for interior defensive lineman DeForest Buckner. The Colts then extended him to a four-year, $84 million deal to make him the second-highest-paid interior player behind only Aaron Donald.

Balance Of The Draft: Indianapolis had one of the best picks of Day 2 by taking Pittman 34th overall. Pittman stands at 6-foot-4 and owns near-flawless ball skills, reminding many of fellow USC receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster. He dropped just 2.8% of his catchable targets in his career, possesses an insane catch radius and can adjust to any off-target throw to snag what would typically be an incomplete pass. Pittman’s underneath and intermediate route-running makes him a phenomenal possession receiver prospect who will fit nicely in Indy. A great choice in the 2nd Round ... Many thought Taylor might for in the first round.  It didn’t happen. The concern is trading for a running back in the 2nd Round. Indy traded the 44th and 160th overall picks to the Cleveland Browns to move up to No. 41 and grab Taylor. But Cleveland wins that trade 55% of the time. Taylor’s lack of receiving ability is something to be concerned about, but the Colts are going to “run the damn ball” with him. His size, speed and explosiveness are what you want in a ball-carrier. He got plenty of opportunities to carry the ball at Wisconsin . “There wasn't a better landing spot for Jonathan Taylor. He'll actually move the needle over Marlon Mack in that offense,” contends PFF ... Blackmon was 180th on the PFF Big Board, so him getting picked at No. 85 was a bit early in their eyes, but this can end up as a solid pick in the long run. When Blackmon played cornerback, he played incredibly poorly — he gave a whopping 786 yards on 508 coverage snaps in 2018 and lacked any physicality. He then moved to safety in 2019 and had a career year, posting an 88.7 coverage grade while displaying great range and sharp instincts at deep safety ...  The Colts started looking at their future post-Philip Rivers by taking Eason 122nd overall. Eason has a cannon and great zip on the ball, but there is a lot of concern with how he’ll handle NFL pass-rushers. When under pressure this past year, Eason posted the second-worst negatively graded play rate in college football. He also has a tendency to stay locked in on his first read a bit too long and will force his throw late. In other words, Eason is a rhythm passer.

Steal Of The Draft: Michael Pittman Jr.

Draft Grades: Playbook B+ 

ESPN: A-... PFF: B...  SI: A-... Composite: B+