3 Colts Veterans Fighting for Their Jobs After the NFL Draft

The Indianapolis Colts signed Philip Rivers this offseason and used their first two picks in the 2020 NFL Draft to surround him with young skill players. The team selected wide receiver Michael Pittman and running back Jonathan Taylor to get younger on offense around Rivers, who is on a one-year deal.

A surprise came when the Colts drafted quarterback Jacob Eason in the fourth round. Is there a whole new young core already in place in Indianapolis? It seems that way, and several veterans on the roster are now fighting for their jobs after the draft.

3. Jordan Wilkins

Indianapolis Colts RB Jordan Wilkins joined the team in 2018. / Andy Lyons/Getty Images

The addition of Taylor throws some questions into the backfield. The Colts now have six running backs on the roster with Marlon Mack and Taylor as the top two guys. Jordan Wilkins did have 307 rushing yards in 2019, which was better than fellow release candidate Nyheim Hines. However, Hines did add 320 receiving yards to lead all running backs. Wilkins will be 26 this summer and a dead cap value of $120,000 makes him expendable as the backfield continues to get younger.

2. Rolan Milligan

Indianapolis Colts safety Rolan Milligan may lose his job in 2020. / Michael Hickey/Getty Images

The Colts drafted safety Julian Blackmon in the third round and still have Malik Hooker as the top guy at the position. That makes Rolan Milligan, who had 15 tackles in 2019, an easy release candidate with his $0 dead cap value. The team has seven safeties and Milligan has been on and off the practice squad since joining the team in 2018. The only hope of him keeping his job is if Hooker is traded, but even then he hasn't shown enough to earn much confidence from the front office.

1. Jacoby Brissett

Indianapolis Colts QB Jacoby Brissett is in a weird position. / Justin Casterline/Getty Images

Jacoby Brissett is in a weird spot with the Colts in 2020. He has been relegated to the backup spot behind Rivers and is on the final year of his contract. He's set to earn nearly $16 million and realistically could get his starting job back in 2021 if Rivers retires. But that plan is now in limbo after the Colts drafted Jacob Eason as the supposed new quarterback of the future, assuming he can successfully develop. Brissett is now fighting to stay relevant in the NFL and earn another starting job whether it's in Indy or somewhere else.