PFWA Names Four Colts Players to Its 2020 ‘All-Rookie Team’

According to the Pro Football Writers of America, four Indianapolis Colts players have been named to its ‘2020 All-Rookie Team’: running back Jonathan Taylor, placekicker Rodrigo Blankenship, kick returner Isaiah Rodgers, and special teamer Jordan Glasgow:

2020 PFWA ALL-ROOKIE TEAM

Offense

QB – Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers

RB – James Robinson, Jacksonville Jaguars; Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts

WR – Chase Claypool, Pittsburgh Steelers; Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings

TE – Harrison Bryant, Cleveland Browns

C – Lloyd Cushenberry III, Denver Broncos

G – Damien Lewis, Seattle Seahawks; Mike Onwenu, New England Patriots

T – Jedrick Wills Jr., Cleveland Browns; Tristan Wirfs, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Defense

DL – Derrick Brown, Carolina Panthers; Raekwon Davis, Miami Dolphins; Javon Kinlaw, San Francisco 49ers; Chase Young, Washington Football Team

LB – Kenneth Murray Jr., Los Angeles Chargers; Patrick Queen, Baltimore Ravens; Isaiah Simmons, Arizona Cardinals

CB – Cameron Dantzler, Minnesota Vikings; L’Jarius Sneed, Kansas City Chiefs

S – Jeremy Chinn, Carolina Panthers; Antoine Winfield Jr., Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Special Teams

PK – Rodrigo Blankenship, Indianapolis Colts

P – Tommy Townsend, Kansas City Chiefs

KR – Isaiah Rodgers, Indianapolis Colts

PR – James Proche II, Baltimore Ravens

ST – Jordan Glasgow, Indianapolis Colts

Those four Colts rookies were a league high among each of the NFL’s teams.

Regarding Taylor, the 2020 41st overall pick ran for the NFL’s 3rd most rushing yards during his debut campaign (and the most among all 2020 rookies), rushing for 1,169 total rushing yards on 232 carries (5.0 ypc. avg.) and 11 rushing touchdowns.

From Week 11 and onward, no running back was arguably better than Taylor aside from Tennessee Titans All-Pro monster Derrick Henry.

Taylor joined Colts franchise greats (and Hall of Famers) Edgerrin James and Marshall Faulk as the only rookies in team history to rush for over 1,000 rushing yards and have at least 10 rushing touchdowns in their rookie campaigns—which is some elite company to say the least.

Meanwhile, despite the two late season misses, undrafted rookie kicker Rodrigo ‘Hot Rod’ Blankenship made 32 of his 37 field goal attempts (86.5%) and 43 of 45 extra point attempts (95.6%)—finishing with the 5th most total points scored (139) during 2020.

Next up, Colts 2020 6th round cornerback and special teams returner Isaiah Rodgers finished with the NFL’s 3rd highest kick return average in 2020, averaging 28.8 yards per kick return. He returned 24 kickoffs for 692 total kick return yards and a touchdown—with an electrifying long return of 101 yards to pay dirt.

Lastly, another 2020 6th round pick, Jordan Glasgow, as a core special teamer for the Colts, finished with 9 tackles (6 solo) during 13 games this past season. He received PFF’s 5th highest special teams grade at +90.7 overall—which was highlighted by a partially blocked punt against the Chicago Bears earlier in the 2020 season.

While Julian Blackmon not receiving the nod over the Carolina Panthers Jeremy Chinn or Tampa Bay Buccaneers Antoine Winfield Jr. at safety was a tough break, the promising rookie safety should be a name to continue to watch for the Colts going forward (along with wideout Michael Pittman Jr.)—despite Blackmon hitting a late season rookie wall.

Nevertheless, the Colts’ 2020 NFL Draft Class has the makings of another successful class for team general manager Chris Ballard—given the initial production and the group’s long-term potential for much more.