Report: Colts giving UDFA RB Deon Jackson $45k signing bonus
The Indianapolis Colts are reportedly signing undrafted rookie free agent running back Deon Jackson to the roster, and the signing bonus he received shows how much of a priority he is.
Though we thought UDFA wide receiver Tyler Vaughns out of USC was the top priority after receiving a $22,000 signing bonus from the Colts, that’s less than half of what they signed Jackson to following the draft.
According to reporter Aaron Wilson, the Colts are giving Jackson a $45,000 signing bonus.
Duke running back Deon Jackson got a $45,000 signing bonus from the Indianapolis Colts as a priority free agent, highest signing bonus for an undrafted rookie this year, per a league source. Rushed for 2,267 career yards, 18 touchdowns, 61 catches, 534 yards and four touchdowns
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) May 2, 2021
Despite having Jonathan Taylor leading the backfield for the foreseeable future, the Colts seem to have a lot of interest in Jackson.
The Duke product certainly is intriguing given his size and speed. At 5-foot-11 and 218 pounds, Jackson ran a 4.42 at his pro day, which was good for an elite speed grade and helped him record an 8.94 RAS.
(Courtesy of Kent Lee Platte)
The Colts were potentially thought to draft a running back on Day 3 given the fact that Nyheim Hines, Marlon Mack and Jordan Wilkins are all set to be free agents in 2022—with Hines being the only extension candidate.
So the Colts could be looking to keep Jackson on the practice squad throughout the 2021 season, developing his vision and pass blocking, to potentially call him up as a depth piece in 2022.
Regardless, the financial commitment the Colts made to Jackson shows a prospect that they value highly even if they didn’t spend a draft pick on him.
