Colts LB Darius Leonard could have big second year

The standout rookie was already named First Team All-Pro as a rookie, but he could be even better this season. And that is scary for the rest of the league.

Darius Leonard was the steal of last year’s draft. He was a second round pick out of little known FCS South Carolina State and ended up taking the league by storm. He led the league in tackles while missing a game due to injury and was named First Team All-Pro.

Even with all of those accomplishments, he can still be better. He was only a rookie. With a full offseason now that he can use to work out with NFL facilities and give into the playbook more, he should be even better. The rest of the league should be terrified by that.

Leonard was all over the place and was always near the ball. His instincts are something that can’t be taught. It was completely idiotic that he didn’t get named to the Pro Bowl. If he has a year anything close to what he had last year, that will certainly change.

But Leonard’s success will get better in part because the defense around him will be better than it was last year. That team success will open up more opportunities for Leonard to shine and have even better numbers than he did last season.

Leonard helped improve a porous defense into a top 15 defense in the league. As with any young player in the NFL, he will continue to get better as the speed of the game comes under control for him. But he is already a star in this league, and he will only continue to shine brighter.