3 Draft Picks the Colts Gave up on Way Too Early

The Indianapolis Colts didn't hold a first-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, and they still managed to come away with one of the most commended classes. Even the knee-jerk reaction from Colts fans was overwhelmingly positive and they will be hoping that the franchise doesn't give up on these new draftees too soon into their careers.

After all, Indy has a pretty poor track record of doing just that. Here are three players that the Colts should regret parting ways with far too early.

3. Tim Jennings

Former Indianapolis Colts DB Tim Jennings / Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

Indianapolis used a second-round pick (No. 62 overall) on Jennings in the 2006 draft, but he was only deployed as a rotational player for four seasons before being allowed to hit free agency. The former Georgia Bulldog landed with Chicago, where he carved out a nice career. Jennings was named to two Pro Bowls and started at least 13 games in each of his five seasons with the Bears. During that span, he produced 302 tackles, 58 pass deflections and 16 interceptions. It's fair to say the Colts blew it by letting him go after the 2009 campaign.

2. Pierre Garcon

Former Indianapolis Colts WR Pierre Garcon / Andy Lyons/Getty Images

We're still confused as to why the Colts opted to let Garcon walk following a breakout season in 2011 during which he registered 70 receptions for 947 yards and six touchdowns. The former sixth-round pick quickly emerged as a stud for the Washington Redskins. He compiled two 1,000-yard campaigns and even led the NFL with 113 receptions in 2013. In five years with Washington, Garcon averaged 909.8 yards per season. He could've put up similar numbers with Indianapolis had the organization not let him test the open market.

1. Jerry Hughes

Former Indianapolis Colts DE Jerry Hughes / Joe Robbins/Getty Images

Talk about the one that got away. Hughes was drafted by the Colts in the first round (No. 31 overall) back in 2010. He spent three seasons with the franchise, during which he started just seven contests, before he was traded to the Buffalo Bills. To say that Hughes benefited from this deal would be an understatement. The TCU product logged double-digit sacks in his first two seasons in Buffalo. Since 2014, he's started 96 of a possible 97 games while playing 73.5% of the defensive snaps.