Indianapolis Colts: Grading every 2020 NFL Draft pick
Round 2, Pick 41: Jonathan Taylor, RB, Wisconsin
Grade: A
Marlon Mack has improved every season as a Colt. However, this pick was all about value. No one expected Jonathan Taylor to fall this far on Day 2, and Ballard made the genius move of jumping over the Jaguars who were looking to replace Leonard Fournette. Taylor is a specimen standing at 5-10 and weighing 226 pounds with blazing 4.3 speed.
More from NFL Spin Zone
- Dallas Cowboys made the trade everyone else should have made
- Pittsburgh Steelers rookie sleeper everyone should be talking about
- Anthony Richardson putting jaw-dropping talent on display immediately
- Denver Broncos’ stud wide receiver might be out for a while
- Washington Commanders: Three takeaways from win over Ravens
With Taylor on board, Reich could employ more man blocking, which benefits offensive guard Braden Smith. And it’ll see Quenton Nelson make another Pro Bowl. Taylor isn’t overly creative, and he doesn’t need to be thanks to his vision and fluidity. He’s best used in gap-scheme where he can stick his foot in the dirt and goes.
However, he does have the vision and cutback ability to play in a zone scheme. He’s a powerful runner that doesn’t make a tin of moves behind the line of scrimmage. In traffic, he does great work making guys miss, and his low pad level makes arm tackles impossible.
Taylor’s a patient runner that does a great job exploiting creases, although he doesn’t have the ideal foot quickness. The former Badger can carry the load and change the tempo of the offense. Mack and Taylor provide the Colts a reliable dangerous duo to take the pressure off of Rivers.