Horseshoe Heroes
FanSided

Colts Clayton Geathers Made a Significant Second-Year Leap at Safety

By Luke Schultheis

Nov 20, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Tennessee Titans wide receiver Rishard Matthews (18) is tackled by Indianapolis Colts free safety Clayton Geathers (26) in the first half of the game at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 20, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Tennessee Titans wide receiver Rishard Matthews (18) is tackled by Indianapolis Colts free safety Clayton Geathers (26) in the first half of the game at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

According to Pro Football Focus, Indianapolis Colts safety Clayton Geathers was one of the league’s most improved players at his position–along with New York Giants All-Pro safety Landon Collins:

Oct 2, 2016; London, United Kingdom; Rashad Greene (13) of the Jacksonville Jaguars is tackled by Clayton Geathers (26) of the Indianapolis Colts on a punt return during the third quarter at Wembley Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Flynn-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 2, 2016; London, United Kingdom; Rashad Greene (13) of the Jacksonville Jaguars is tackled by Clayton Geathers (26) of the Indianapolis Colts on a punt return during the third quarter at Wembley Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Flynn-USA TODAY Sports /

The former 4th round pick of the 2015 NFL Draft recorded 59 tackles, 5 passes defensed, and a forced fumble in 9 starts this past season–having eventually been shut down because of a season-ending neck injury.

The 6’2″, 220 pound safety brings tremendous physicality to the Colts safety position and was even deployed situationally as a hybrid inside linebacker in passing situations with great success.

Specifically, per Pro Football Focus (subscription), Geathers recorded a +90.3 run defense grade last season, which was the 6th best among all NFL safeties.

Along with defensive end Henry Anderson and perhaps defensive lineman Hassan Ridgeway, Geathers figures to be one of the few young building blocks of this Colts defense going forward–although both soon-to-be 2nd year pro’s T.J. Green or Antonio Morrison could maybe eventually surprise in time.

As such, Geathers is quickly becoming a core player for this Colts defense as it stands and rightfully so, given his exceptional play last season at the safety position.

Home/Colts News