Colts Stars Make First Round of 2020 Re-draft List

The Indianapolis Colts' Jonathan Taylor and Michael Pittman Jr. make the first round of a re-draft list.

Walking into 2023, the Indianapolis Colts have multiple young, talented players in key positions. Names like left tackle Bernhard Raimann, cornerback Isaiah Rodgers Sr., safety Rodney Thomas II, wide receiver Alec Pierce, and tight end Jelani Woods, to name a few. Two others that are more household names would be running back Jonathan Taylor and receiver Michael Pittman Jr. The last two names will be the subject of this piece. We will look into a re-draft of the 2020 NFL Draft’s first round.

Using The Athletic’s Diante Lee’s piece for reference, let’s take a trip into the NFL time capsule and see where these two players would have landed knowing what we all know now. First, we’ll start with Taylor.

Jonathan Taylor: #15 to the Denver Broncos (Originally Picked WR Jerry Jeudy)

The article argues that Taylor “isn’t the best scenario for Denver” due to the youth. But, he finishes by mentioning it’s hard to pass on a talent like him just because of being in the fifteenth spot.

It would be interesting to see how Denver’s running attack would have evolved with Taylor in the backfield. At the time, Quarterback Drew Lock would have loved an answer like Taylor to hand the ball off when struggling with turnovers. Like in Indianapolis, Taylor would have benefitted from an always stout Broncos defense on the other side of the pigskin.

Now that Taylor is in the Mile High City, it’s time to see where Pittman lands.

Michael Pittman Jr.: #28 to the Baltimore Ravens (Originally Picked LB Patrick Queen)

Oh, man. This one truly fits perfectly. Yes, Queen is a solid linebacker. However, he isn’t the same without a monster like now Chicago Bears linebacker Roquan Smith in the tackle box, as mentioned by Lee.

Creating an interesting fit with former MVP quarterback Lamar Jackson.

Pair Pittman with receiver Marquise Brown and superstar tight end Mark Andrews and you’ve got a deadly offense.

With numerous Colts faithful calling that Pittman doesn’t “deserve an extension” or “isn’t a true number one receiver,” they may want to imagine the Colts’ offense without Pittman.

Now, imagine him in a Ravens uniform.

That’s a scary thought, and you’re any fan not rooting for Baltimore in the AFC North.

This is not happening, and the reality is that both Taylor and Pittman are indeed in Indianapolis. However, imagine if general manager Chris Ballard didn’t grab both picks when he did, and they floated to other AFC foes. With a bright future ahead for the Colts in multiple ways, it’s nice to imagine how all this talent will mesh under head coach Shane Steichen in 2023. 

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