INDIANAPOLIS – One of the most notable offseasons in Colts’ history saw quite a lot of activity from Chris Ballard.
Inevitably, the roster turnover that Ballard promised means some guys have been really impacted by the abundance of moves.
Who are the Colts’ winners and losers of the 2020 Draft?
Winners
-Philip Rivers: Christmas came early to Philip Rivers in the 2020 NFL Draft. Rivers was the only quarterback in the AFC to see his team spend their first two picks on a wide receiver and running back. The Colts needed to add playmaking at the skill positions this offseason, and the 38-year-old Rivers doesn’t have time to wait. Rivers certainly didn’t have a shortage of skill players last year with the Chargers, so the Colts needed to do their part in helping out the new starting QB.
-Mo Alie-Cox: Even with a weaker tight end draft class, the Colts thought about that position a few times over the weekend, but never ended up selecting one. The Colts bypassed tight end, with the signing of Trey Burton last Wednesday likely alleviating some of the importance in selecting a TE. Still, this is good news for Alie-Cox, who enters a third critical season. A draft pick at tight end in Round 3 or 4 could have impacted Alie-Cox’s status on the final roster. He should make the team, and needs to prove that he’s a future piece of this offense.
-Le’Raven Clark: What a month and a half for Clark. Many thought he wouldn’t be re-signed (he was on a one-year deal). And then many believed the Colts would draft an offensive tackle (it sounds like they didn’t, with the belief that Danny Pinter is more of an interior guy at the next level). Clark now enters his 5th NFL season as the Colts’ top offensive tackle reserve, despite not playing or even dressing for a single game last season. One injury at offensive tackle for the Colts and Clark becomes a critical 2020 player.
-Young Defensive Ends: From 2017-19, Chris Ballard has drafted 5 defensive linemen that have gone on to play some defensive end snaps for the Colts (4 in the first three rounds). Some thought another D-end could be in the fold for 2020 with Justin Houston (31 years old) in a contract year. But the Colts made just one defensive line pick, and Rob Windsor in Round 6 figures to be a defensive tackle at 290 pounds. That’s good news for the likes of Kemoko Turay, Ben Banogu and Al-Quadin Muhammad trying to make up for the loss of Jabaal Sheard.
-Outside Corners: While defensive end and cornerback weren’t the most pressing needs, those positions were floated around by various pundits for the Colts in the second round. No corner was picked by Ballard until Isaiah Rodgers (UMass) at No. 211 overall. Well, Rodgers looks like more of a backup nickel option at 5-10 and 170 pounds. With Quincy Wilson traded, that removes another potential 53-man roster guy as an outside corner. So, Rock Ya-Sin, Xavier Rhodes, Marvell Tell and maybe T.J. Carrie should have a nice competition to see how the playing time plays out with Kenny Moore a lock to be on the field.
Losers
-Chad Kelly: Going to bed on Friday night, Chad Kelly had to like what Chris Ballard had just said about not forcing the pick at quarterback. Well, the first pick on Saturday went to a quarterback. While Ballard was adamant that Jacob Eason is simply completing for the No. 3 quarterback job with Kelly, it’s hard to imagine the 4th round pick, who the Colts clearly identified as someone they want to develop, not making the roster in 2020. This limited offseason work in-person isn’t helping Kelly’s cause either. It will be interesting to see how camp/preseason reps get split up for Eason and Kelly.
-Marlon Mack: Talk about a tough offseason for the newest member of the Colts’ 1,000-yard rushing club. First, Jim Irsay totally squelches any contract extension talk for Mack back in February. Then, the Colts decided to draft running back Jonathan Taylor with the 41st overall pick. What does that mean for Mack? He won’t be the team’s bellcow in this contract season of 2020. That will inevitably impact Mack’s pending free agency coming next spring. Mack will still play a needed and key role for the Colts this fall, but his future in Indy looks extremely murky.
-Jordan Wilkins: The selection of Taylor firmly places Wilkins No. 4 on the running back depth chart. We saw how awkward of a position that was for Jonathan Williams last season. Williams was often a healthy scratch, when the top three RBs were active on game days. Wilkins played the 6th most special teams snaps of any Colt last season, and he’s going to have to become a core special teamer to be an unquestioned 53-man roster spot in 2020. His roster spot is not a lock.
-Tyquan Lewis: While the Colts didn’t take a defensive tackle until Rob Windsor in Round 6, it’s still another body at an already crowded position. Margus Hunt is gone, but we’ve seen a trio of defensive tackles added this offseason: DeForest Buckner, Sheldon Day, Rob Windsor. That should get the attention of Tyquan Lewis, a second-round pick in 2018. For Lewis to definitely make the team in 2020, he needs to stay healthy, and show versatility to be able to be a possible early-down option at defensive end. Defensive line is going to be a very difficult group to cut down in 2020.
-Zaire Franklin/Matthew Adams: These two 7th round picks from 2018 really were only on the roster to play special teams last year. Franklin didn’t play a single defensive snap last season. Adams played 24 total defensive snaps in the final 10 games of 2019. Their roles on special teams are important, but 6th round pick Jordan Glasgow is coming for just that. Chris Ballard gushed about Glasgow’s potential presence on special teams at the NFL level. With Darius Leonard, Anthony Walker, Bobby Okereke and E.J. Speed, the defensive reps at linebacker are scarce. To make this team, you’ve got to be a core special teamer. And Glasgow could be taking that spot from Franklin and/or Adams.
