INDIANAPOLIS – We know the hurdles that face the Colts rookies here in 2020.
Life for them means roster cuts are coming in less than two weeks (September 5th). Of the Colts’ 11 full-padded practices this camp, we’ve seen them strap it up for 6 of those so far.
With more than half of the full-padded sessions done, how have the rookies performed so far?
WR-Michael Pittman: There’s been some ups and downs from Pittman early on, with Frank Reich acknowledging few mental lapses early on. This isn’t shocking for a wideout who missed so much valuable time in the spring (13 OTA/minicamp practices, along with a rookie minicamp). Still, it hasn’t been all bad by any means from the big bodied wideout. Missing out on an entire spring period hurts receivers learning to play in NFL offenses. Philip Rivers has found Pittman for a couple of completions in 11-on-11 settings, although the rookie didn’t have a catch in Monday’s practice at Lucas Oil.
RB-Jonathan Taylor: We know Marlon Mack is going to start, but Taylor’s explosiveness has already been on display and will be used early on in 2020. We’ve seen Taylor catch some balls out of the backfield (and have a a couple of drops), something he wasn’t asked to do very often at Wisconsin.
S-Julian Blackmon: ACL rehab continues for Blackmon as he remains on the physically unable to perform list. When practice begins though, Blackmon is standing right next to safeties coach Alan Williams, listening to calls and seeing how his position is supposed to operate.
QB-Jacob Eason: For the most part, Eason and Chad Kelly have split the third-team reps so far, with Kelly probably getting a few more. No preseason games truly is a bummer to evaluate Eason more and more. Just with how practice is scripted, there’s not a lot of time to get extended looks at Eason or Kelly. Physically, Eason is an extremely impressive thrower of the football, showing off that howitzer of an arm.
OL-Danny Pinter: The position switch from the South Bend, Indiana native has him working mostly at right guard with the second unit this camp, although we’ve seen him more at center with camp moving along. Pinter started at right tackle in college for his final two seasons, after first playing tight end. But the Colts have always thought his 6-4, 304-pound frame would be better in the interior.
DT-Rob Windsor: No Sheldon Day (knee) so far in camp has given Windsor some very meaningful reps behind Grover Stewart and DeForest Buckner. Windsor has a really nice first step and appears to be squarely in the mix for a roster spot.
CB-Isaiah Rodgers: Unfortunately, Rodgers has been out since the first day in full pads. Rodgers is missing out on some valuable reps with the cornerback group looking to establish some depth. He appears to be close to returning.
WR-Dezmon Patmon: Over the last few practices, Patmon has shown up more and more. Patmon appears to be down on the wideout depth chart though, with some needed development before he secures that roster spot. That was something the Colts knew when taking Patmon out of Washington State.
LB-Jordan Glasgow: It’s likely going to come down to special teams with Glasgow. Is he a strong enough presence there to supplant a guy like Zaire Franklin on the 53-man roster? That’s hard to see without preseason games, but the Colts remain high on the Michigan product.
Some Undrafted Notes
-We know Rodrigo Blankenship is in the thick of a kicking competition with Chase McLaughlin. Since we’ve been watching in full pads, Blankenship has not been as accurate as McLaughlin. You have to wonder how the lack of preseason games will hurt Blankenship’s case.
-Tight end Farod Green can’t complain about the tight ends reps he’s received this camp. No Mo Alie-Cox for a chunk, Jack Doyle (neck) missing time and Trey Burton having some rest days has given the opportunity for Green to get some quality and consistent reps.
-Short, but speedy, wideout DeMichael Harris has shown off some burst in a variety of ways this camp.
-Offensive tackle Carter O’Donnell hails from Canada and entered a room looking for tackle depth. O’Donnell has worked mainly at right tackle with the second unit.
-When you look at the cornerback group, 6-1 Travis Reed stands out. He’s made some nice plays when it comes to the ‘moment of truth’.
-Similar to Green, safety Donald Rutledge has benefitted from the lack of numbers at safety. Rutledge is a bigger safety at 6-1 and 214 pounds and brings more of a physical punch compared to the rest of the group.
