Colts rookie Leonard named Defensive Player of the Week

The Colts played a great game on Sunday, winning 21-9 against the Redskins. One player got specifically recognized for his great performance and won Defensive Player of the Week.

Darius Leonard is a great rookie. He has shown his skills through the first two games of the Colts’ season. He has already solidified himself as a starter and a difference maker. Now the whole NFL knows how good he is, as he was named Defensive Player of the Week.

Leonard won this award after recording 18 tackles, 1 sack, and a forced fumble against Washington. He was all over the field and was always around the ball. This is becoming a recurring theme for Leonard. He did the same in week 1 and all throughout the preseason too.

Leonard is a rookie out of South Carolina State. That isn’t even FBS level football. But that doesn’t matter. GM Chris Ballard saw something in Leonard and drafted him in the second round. That has already proven to be a great decision.

The Colts are in desperate need of play makers on the defensive side of the ball. They haven’t had a good defense in awhile. But Leonard changes that narrative. When you have a middle linebacker like him, it can change the whole dynamic of the defense.

Leonard is still just a rookie. He has plenty to learn about the game at the NFL level. That’s what makes him so special. He is playing this well this early on in his career. He is only going to get better as the season, and years, go on.

The Colts know that they have a special player in Leonard. It’s now their job to continue to acquire players of this caliber to pair with Leonard on the defense. If they do that, this could turn into a great defense for years to come.