Indianapolis Colts News & Rumors

Colts Trade Up With Browns For RB Jonathan Taylor

The Colts will assemble a crowded backfield next season. Trading up from No. 44 to No. 41 with Cleveland, Indianapolis selected Wisconsin running back Jonathan Taylor.

In the deal, the Browns will slide down three spots and pick up a fifth-round selection (No. 160). The Colts, meanwhile, will pair Taylor with incumbent Marlon Mack.

While Mack and Taylor figure to be the headliners in a strong Indianapolis backfield next season, the Colts also have 2018 draftees Jordan Wilkins and Nyheim Hines on their team. The Taylor investment does somewhat cloud Mack’s future with the franchise. Mack is one of many talented 2017 running back draftees going into contract years. With Taylor on board, it would seem less likely the Colts are preparing to pay up to keep Mack.

As for Taylor, the longtime Badgers back possesses sprinter speed totaled a staggering 6,174 rushing yards in three seasons. Taylor’s worst season among those featured 1,977 yards. He posted back-to-back 2,000-yard campaigns in 2018 and ’19. Taylor, who scored 55 touchdowns in college, will play behind one of the NFL’s best offensive lines in Indianapolis.

NFL Draft Rumors: Bengals, Colts, Bucs, Colts

The Bengals (No. 33) and Colts (No. 34) will kick off the second round and the belief is that they’re both targeting offensive help, Jonathan Jones of CBSSports.com tweets. Beyond that, he gets the sense that defensive tackle Ross Blacklock could be the first defensive player selected in the second round. Earlier today, we heard Blacklock mentioned as a possibility for the Bengals, but they might be more focused on providing help for Joe Burrow instead. That could lead them to Baylor wide receiver Denzel Mims, one of the most intriguing talents left on the board.

Here’s the latest as we get set for the second night of the NFL Draft:

  • More from Jones (on Twitter), who says “everyone” he’s talked to around the league believes that the Panthers will go after Mims. As previously reported, they’ve been getting calls on wide receiver Curtis Samuel, though they’re not shopping him. Mims, or another wide receiver, could wind up taking Samuel’s spot on the depth chart. The Panthers’ currently sit at No. 38 overall (the sixth pick in the second round), which might not be good enough to get Mims.
  • Over the last two months, the Buccaneers and Colts have both been high on Washington quarterback Jacob Eason, Albert Breer of The MMQB hears. Eason remains available heading into Day 2 of the draft and both clubs profile as potential fits. Before the night is through, Eason could be tapped as the heir to Tom Brady or Philip Rivers, a perfect scenario for a QB easing into the pro game.
  • There weren’t a ton of trades in the first round, but it wasn’t for a lack of trying. The Falcons pushed hard to trade up for cornerback C.J. Henderson and the Raiders wanted to move back from No. 12 before taking Alabama wideout Henry Ruggs.

Bengals Eyeing Mims, Blacklock At No. 33?

The Bengals, who hold the first pick in the second round, are high on wide receiver Denzel Mims and defensive tackle Ross Blacklock, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter) hears.

Rapoport also notes several teams looking to move up/down in the order. The Jets, Jaguars, and Falcons are among the clubs interested in making a leap. Potential trade partners include the Colts (No. 34) and Dolphins (No. 39), who are willing to listen on offers to move back.

Cincinnati doesn’t necessarily need any immediate help at wide receiver, as the club boasts A.J. Green, Tyler Boyd, and John Ross as its top three options. However, Green and Ross haven’t been able to stay healthy, and each has just one year remaining on his respective contract (the Bengals hold a 2021 option on Ross that they’ve yet to exercise). Mims would add an explosive option for new quarterback Joe Burrow, and give Cincinnati a long-term asset.

Blacklock, meanwhile, was a draft riser in recent months and was viewed as a potential Day 1 pick. Instead, he’s likely to come off the board at the top of Round 2. The Bengals already have Geno Atkins and free agent acquisition D.J. Reader on the interior of their defensive line, but Blacklock would give them ample depth.

Colts Sign TE Trey Burton

Trey Burton has found a landing spot after his Bears release. The former Eagles tight end agreed to terms with the Colts on Wednesday, according to his agency (Twitter link).

This will reunite Burton with Frank Reich, who was the Eagles’ offensive coordinator during the tight end’s final years in Philadelphia. This will be a Colts-friendly deal, with Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reporting (via Twitter) Burton agreed to a veteran-minimum contract. However, Burton still has $4MM coming to him by virtue of his 2018 Bears pact.

Burton, 28, will not be asked to be Indianapolis’ clear No. 1 tight end the way he was in Chicago. Although the Colts let Eric Ebron defect to the Steelers, they still employ Jack Doyle. Burton will be in position to be an auxiliary weapon for Philip Rivers.

The passer on the Eagles’ “Philly Special” play in Super Bowl LII performed fairly well in 2018, suiting up for 16 games and hauling in a career-high 569 yards and six touchdown receptions. Last season, though, injuries hampered Burton. He only recorded 84 yards in eight games. Burton underwent hernia surgery during the 2019 offseason and went on IR after a calf injury.

The Colts will still head into the draft in need of a T.Y. Hilton complement at wide receiver, but this Burton agreement stands to make tight end a lower priority. Indianapolis also rosters Mo Alie-Cox and ex-Steelers blocking tight end Xavier Grimble.

Colts To Re-Sign WR Marcus Johnson

The Colts have agreed to re-sign wide receiver Marcus Johnson, according to his agents at EnterSport Management (Twitter link).

Johnson, 25, reached restricted free agency last month, but Indianapolis opted not to tender him an offer. Thus, the former undrafted free agent almost surely re-signed at a cost cheaper than the lowest RFA tender of $2.133MM.

Johnson was injured for the first half of last season, but took on a prominent role down the stretch, starting six games and posting a 105-yard performance against Tampa Bay. Overall, he finished with 277 yards and two touchdowns in only eight games.

Dolphins, Chargers Considering Non-QBs At Nos. 5-6?

The Dolphins have been linked to a first-round quarterback in this draft since before the 2019 draft. After a 5-11 season preceded Philip Rivers‘ departure, the Chargers have been mentioned as a prime QB landing spot as well. But it may not be a lock both teams pull the trigger near the top of the draft.

Buzz has swirled about both Miami and Los Angeles passing on quarterbacks at Nos. 5 and 6 overall, Albert Breer of SI.com notes, adding that tackle may be each team’s fallback choice. Both franchises possess a need at tackle, and each would be in line to land one of the draft’s coveted prospects at this position.

For the Dolphins, this would be a fascinating strategy. They also hold the Nos. 18 and 26 overall picks, which would fall in Jordan Love territory. The team brought Love in for a visit — before the NFL nixed that process — and other teams believe the Dolphins’ interest in the Utah State product is genuine. A Monday report also indicated Justin Herbert — whom the Dolphins have done extensive work on — is not in consideration at No. 5. Pro Football Network’s Tony Pauline pointed to the Fins picking Tua Tagovailoa or a non-quarterback there.

The Bolts are believed to be fans of both Herbert and Tagovailoa, and their timetable is further along than the Dolphins’. Los Angeles signed three 30-something starters — Chris Harris, Bryan Bulaga and Linval Joseph — this offseason and have a veteran group of skill-position players. For what it’s worth, Breer mocks Herbert to Miami and Tua to L.A. But if the teams go elsewhere, that would open the door to craziness atop the draft. Anthony Lynn has spoken highly of Tyrod Taylor as a legitimate starting option. Taylor has not been a full-time starter since his time in Buffalo, where Lynn coached him for part of his tenure.

Additionally, Breer notes that 49ers running back Tevin Coleman and Colts cornerback Quincy Wilson have surfaced as potential trade candidates. With Matt Breida also emerging as a possible trade chip, it seems this might be an either/or setup alongside Raheem Mostert next season in San Francisco. One year remains on Coleman’s two-year, $8MM deal. Wilson has not panned out for the Colts, who took him in the 2017 second round. One year remains on his contract. Indianapolis, which has not used Wilson as a starter since 2018, added both Xavier Rhodes and T.J. Carrie this offseason.

NFL Teams Begin “Virtual” Offseason Program

The Bills, Patriots, and Colts were among the teams to kick off the “virtual period” of their offseason program on Monday. A total of twelve NFL teams opted to start online sessions today, but only the aforementioned teams will have virtual workouts on the agenda, according to NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero and Mike Garafolo (on Twitter).

[RELATED: Bolts, Raiders, Patriots Eyeing QBs]

As Garafolo notes (via Twitter), those three teams are requiring the workouts in order for players to receive their workout bonuses. The Bills have upwards of $3MM in workout incentives going to their players, including $250K for defensive linemen Mario Addison, Star Lotulelei, and Jerry Hughes. The Patriots have less tied to workout bonuses, though wide receiver Julian Edelman is personally on the books for $300K this year.

Soon, the rest of the NFL will follow suit with online OTAs. These sessions obviously can’t replace on-field drills and gym time, but teams have no other choice.

Draft QB Rumors: Bolts, Raiders, Pats

Let’s round up some of the recent QB-related rumors that are swirling in advance of Thursday’s draft:

  • The Chargers hold the No. 6 overall pick and are not inclined to trade up from that spot, per Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports. The Bolts are fans of both Justin Herbert and Tua Tagovailoa, and it seems almost certain that at least one of those passers will be available when Los Angeles is on the clock. The team could still go in a non-QB direction with the No. 6 pick, but it would be difficult to pass up a franchise-altering talent at the most important position in sports, especially since the Chargers will probably not be picking nearly as high in 2021.
  • Although the Raiders have Derek Carr and Marcus Mariota on the roster, La Canfora hears that the club could make a play for a QB with one of their two first-round picks. Las Vegas holds the No. 12 and No. 19 overall selections, and JLC believes the team could target a CB with the No. 12 pick and go after a QB like Tagovailoa — if he falls that far — or Jordan Love with the No. 19 pick. While the Raiders need a receiver and don’t have a second-round selection, this year’s draft is deep enough at WR that Las Vegas could still find an impact player with one of its three third-round choices.
  • The Patriots are in the market for a collegiate signal-caller, and Mike Reiss of ESPN.com says it’s a question of “when,” not “if”, New England drafts a QB this week. We recently heard that the Pats would find a passer in either the first round or middle rounds, and if a player like Herbert or Tagovailoa should start to slide, it would not be surprising to see them pull the trigger. Coincidentally, new personnel consultant Eliot Wolf was a Packers staffer in 2005, when Green Bay was the beneficiary of Aaron Rodgers‘ famous draft-day slide.
  • ESPN’s Matt Bowen wrote before last year’s draft that Jarrett Stidham was the QB that represented the best fit for the Patriots, and the Pats ultimately selected Stidham with a fourth-round pick. Bowen believes the rookie signal-caller that makes the most sense for New England this year is Washington’s Jacob Eason (subscription required). Eason profiles as a Day 2 pick, so he would not be the Pats’ target with their No. 23 overall choice, but he may be off the board by the time New England is on the clock again at No. 87.
  • Colts GM Chris Ballard will not force a QB pick in this year’s draft, though Indy has been linked to rookie passers. The team could select a signal-caller like Eason with one of its second-round choices, though the Colts remain high on Jacoby Brissett. It may seem unlikely, but Joel A. Erickson of the Indianapolis Star says the team continues to insist that it could forgo a quarterback in the 2020 draft and look to bring Brissett back in 2021.

Colts GM Chris Ballard Talks QBs

  • The Colts may target a signal caller in the draft, but GM Chris Ballard says he won’t “force the quarterback position,” (Twitter link Joel A. Erickson of the Indianapolis Star). “It’s got to be the right guy, the right fit,” Ballard continued. “I don’t know when that’s going to happen. Maybe this year, maybe next year, maybe two years from now.” The Colts inked veteran Philip Rivers to a one-year contract this past offseason, and they’re still rostering Jacoby Brissett.

2020 NFL Draft Picks By Team

The 2020 NFL Draft is just days away and it’s just a matter of time before picks are swapped and shuffled at lightning speed. Before the trading frenzy starts, let’s take a look at the draft picks owned by each team.

[RELATED: 2020 NFL Draft Order By Round]

Updated: 4-17-20 (5:00pm CT)

Arizona Cardinals

1-8:
3-72:
4-114:
4-131: (from Houston)
6-202: (from New England)
7-222:

Atlanta Falcons

1-16:
2-47:
3-78:
4-119:
4-143: (from Baltimore*)
7-228: (from Tampa Bay, via Philadelphia)

Baltimore Ravens

1-28:
2-55: (from Atlanta, via New England)
2-60:
3-92:
3-106*:
4-129: (from New England)
4-134:
5-170: (from Minnesota)
7-225: (from Jets)

Buffalo Bills

2-54:
3-86:
4-128:
5-167:
6-188: (from Cleveland)
6-207: (from Baltimore via New England)
7-239: (from Minnesota)

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