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According to ESPN NFL Draft Expert Todd McShay (who we’re happy to hear is doing better after catching COVID-19), the Indianapolis Colts had one of his ‘Five Instant-Impact Day 3 Picks’ with the selection of Washington State wide receiver Dezmon Patmon with the 212th pick (6th round) of the NFL Draft:
Dezmon Patmon, WR, Indianapolis Colts
Getting Michael Pittman Jr. in the second round was fantastic, but let’s not discount this sixth-round pick. Chris Ballard continues to show why he’s one of the league’s top GMs with moves like this. For a team lacking at receiver behind the oft-injured T.Y. Hilton, Patmon is the type of player you gamble on late in Round 6. He has 6-foot-4, 225-pound size and good speed, and he found the end zone seven times in 2019 for Washington State.
The big bodied wideout is an impressive athlete for his immense size, as he ran a 4.48 forty, posted a 36.0 inch vertical, and had a broad jump of 132.0 inches at the NFL Combine.
His SPARQ Rating (which measures overall athleticism) is in the 85.3% NFL percentile (10th best in his wideout draft class), while his RAS (Relative Athletic Score) was an 8.47 out of 10.0—also really good.
Patmon was also pretty productive for the Cougars in 2019, recording 58 receptions for 762 receiving yards (13.1 ypr. avg) and 8 touchdown receptions during 13 starts.
McShay wasn’t alone in his high praise of the Colts’ Patmon pick:
RB Eno Benjamin, WR KJ Hill, WR Dezmon Patmon, WR Donovan Peoples-Jones ...quality 6th and 7th rounders that speak to the depth of this draft at the skill positions. Just hope these young men get the support and opportunities to make plays when the time comes. Solid prospects.
— Louis Riddick (@LRiddickESPN) April 28, 2020
Dezmon Patmon highlighted by @ESPN here. Louis Riddick: “He’s a big target, has good high-point skills, has good breakaway speed once he can get behind the secondary.” pic.twitter.com/jxoO790clT
— Theo Lawson (@TheoLawson_SR) April 25, 2020
Similar to the Colts’ first, second round pick, USC wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr., Patmon is another physically imposing wideout who can attack teams vertically, highpoint the football, and win 50-50 jumpballs downfield.
Something that should be music to veteran starting quarterback Philip Rivers’ ears, who historically loves throwing to taller targets downfield from his time with the Chargers.
It also helps that Patmon’s a willing run blocker on the outside.
His route running could use some refinement, and he doesn’t always separate—but Patmon moves pretty well for a wideout of his size. He could be a solid possession wideout in time and could see reps situationally and in certain red zone packages (utilizing his size) in 2020.
The intriguing rookie wideout will be battling for a spot on the Colts 53-man active roster with the likes of Ashton Dulin, Daurice Fountain, Marcus Johnson, and Zach Pascal among others a little lower on the Indianapolis wide receiver depth chart.
However, if nothing else, the big bodied wide receiver makes for an interesting practice squad stash for next season given his size, athleticism, and collegiate production—but remains a serious challenger for an active roster spot.