Will the Colts Draft a QB in 2020? Odds Say They Steer Clear in the First Two Rounds

• Jacoby Brissett failed to lead Indianapolis to the NFL playoffs after taking over as the teams’s starter
• Colts own three picks in the first two rounds of the 2020 NFL Draft
• Tua Tagovailoa’s injury could shake up next year’s draft

The Indianapolis Colts saw their chances of making the NFL playoffs come to a disappointing end with Monday night’s loss to the New Orleans Saints.

With the team’s focus now turned to next season, questions about quarterback Jacoby Brissett’s future in Indianapolis are undoubtedly floating around.

While the Colts will enjoy strong positioning at the 2020 NFL Draft, with a potential top ten pick and two second rounders, they maintain -150 odds of not selecting a quarterback in the first two rounds.

Odds Colts Select a Quarterback in 2020 NFL Draft

*Odds taken on Dec. 18th

Colts Own Strong Draft Position

Brissett was unexpectedly thrust into the starter’s role in Indianapolis after Andrew Luck stunned the NFL world by announcing his retirement just days before the start of the season.

Acquired from New England in a deal that sent receiver Phillip Dorsett to the Patriots in September 2017, Brissett took over in place of Luck, who missed the entire 2017 season due to injury, leading Indianapolis to a 4-12 record.

Stunning retirement announcement as Colts QB Andrew Luck retires in the prime of his career at the age of 29. @TJHolmes has the story. https://t.co/W1vUNMab63 pic.twitter.com/jl5xaJzoEr

— Good Morning America (@GMA) August 26, 2019

With the Colts falling short yet again with Brissett at the helm, looking to upgrade through the draft is an option. If the season were to end today, Indianapolis would be in line to make the 13th overall selection at next spring’s draft. With their final two matchups coming against Carolina and Jacksonville, which have combined to lose 11 of their past 12 outings, the Colts could struggle in any bid to tank down the stretch.

Two Second-Rounders Potential Bargaining Chips

Indianapolis also owns Washington’s second round pick, which is currently 36th overall, providing the team with flexibility to wheel and deal at the draft table in a bid to improve their positioning , should they choose to target one of the top pivots in the 2020 class. However, they are likely to have plenty of competition.

Colts trade: Pick 26.

Redskins trade: Pick 46 and a 2020 second-round pick.

— Field Yates (@FieldYates) April 26, 2019

Heisman Trophy winner Joe Burrow is expected to go first overall, with the Cincinnati Bengals unlikely to pass on the LSU star. Oregon’s Justin Herbert is also expected to be among this year’s first round selections, while Georgia’s Jake Fromm and Oklahoma’s Jalen Hurts also having potential to go in the top two rounds.

Tua’s Health a Wild Card

However, the wild card remains the health of Tua Tagovailoa. Touted as a candidate to go first overall in 2020 at the start of this season, the Alabama star saw his campaign ended by a serious hip injury, which has also cast doubt on his longterm prospects.

Tua Tagovailoa will be on a partial weight bearing recovery plan for six weeks and will be rehabbing daily in Tuscaloosa, per @LauraRutledge. Then, in three months, he will be able to begin athletic activity again, and by the spring, he is expected to be able to resume throwing.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 19, 2019

A speedy recovery by Tagovailoa could turn the draft plans of several teams on their heads, and possibly create opportunity for the Colts. However, it remains to be seen whether the Colts are ready to move on from Brissett, a third-round pick in 2016, Brissett produced steady results during the first half of the season, powering the Colts to a 5-2 start before going down with a knee injury in 26-24 loss to Pittsburgh in Week 9.

Brissett Impacted By Injury

Brissett missed just one game due to the injury, but has not been the same since his return, completing fewer than 20 pass attempts in four of his past five outings, while also struggling with accuracy. But while Brissett has been far from prolific, he has also thrown an interception in just two of his past eight appearances, and has received little support from an Indy pass defense that has surrendered 14 scores in the past five games.

#Colts QB Jacoby Brissett hasn't been the same since returning from his MCL injury.

Very possible the injury has taken a mental toll on him as he's partially been recovering on the fly.#INDvsNO

— Dion Caputi (@nfldraftupdate) December 17, 2019

Simply put, the Colts have issues to address this season that go beyond who is under center, which likely works in Brissett’s favor. But should the opportunity present itself to improve through the draft, look for the Colts to take it.

Pick: Yes (+110)