Vontae Davis was about as close to a lockdown cornerback as a team can have in 2015. His talents allowed the Indianapolis Colts to free up other defenders across the field.
The NFL Network is making its way through their Top 100 Players of 2015 list and Davis has checked in at 59th on the list.
NUMBER 59:
— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) June 4, 2015
First time on the #NFLTop100!@Colts CB @vontaedavis pic.twitter.com/Cv2squdSF6
You can watch the segment here and hear what other corners and wide receivers had to say about Davis’ season. It’s particularly interesting to hear Broncos receiver Emmanuel Sanders describe the playoff loss and how Davis shut him down (only one reception in four attempts with Davis on him).
Davis’ outstanding season earned him his first trip to the Pro Bowl. It should have also led to a spot on the All-Pro roster, but players with bigger names got the nod ahead of him. He finished the season with 42 tackles, 19 passes defensed, and four interceptions.
He allowed a catch rate of just 43.7-percent (lowest among players with over 600 snaps) and Davis led the league in passer rating as QBs had just a 38.8 rating when throwing his way. Most importantly, Davis didn’t allow a touchdown all season long. In fact, Davis didn’t give up a touchdown until the Pro Bowl when he was defending teammate T.Y. Hilton and Andrew Luck was throwing the ball.
Davis is easily the team’s best defender currently healthy enough to play. Without a dominant pass rusher last season (read: Robert Mathis), the Colts were forced to blitz more often they they’d normally like. Davis’ coverage abilities essentially allowed the team to take away the left side and roll coverage across the rest of the field.
The Colts have more talent on defense heading into the 2015 season, but Davis will be the most important player on this side of the ball.