We continue to look at all of the rookies from this past season. This time we look at the third of the second round picks the Colts made in April.
The Colts were able to accumulate a decent amount of draft picks in April’s draft. They had four second round draft picks that they were able to use. They ended up getting three starters with those picks. The last of those picks was defensive end out of Ohio State Tyquan Lewis.
Lewis was drafted after a very productive career as a Buckeye, winning the award for best defensive lineman in the Big Ten in 2016. He showed a good ability to rush the passer and make big plays around the ball. He showed all of that and more in training camp.
Unfortunately, he got hurt in training camp. He tore a ligament in his toe that kept him out of any action until the middle of the season. He was placed on IR at the beginning of the year, and didn’t come back until week 8. Lewis only played in five games in his rookie year.
In those five games, he was a starter. He was able to accumulate 13 tackles and two sacks. Lewis showed the flashes of what he was at Ohio State, but he just could never actually get on the field long enough to gain a rhythm. He needed more time to develop.
Lewis will take this offseason to train and try to keep himself healthy for a full NFL season. If he can do that, the Colts have themselves a good pass rusher. Quite frankly, the biggest need on this team is a good pass rusher. Lewis can give them that if he can stay healthy.
Lewis will be given the time he needs to develop into a good NFL player. Health will be the number one priority for him moving forward. Lewis has shown potential, but only time will tell if he can live up to it.