Colts training camp preview: Linebackers

The linebacker room got more crowded after the draft. Who will play and who will be stuck on the bench this upcoming season?

The linebackers for the Colts are the most talented they have been in many years. They have a young star who is only going to be in his second year, and they have solid other backers for depth. But the group starts and ends with stud Darius Leonard.

Leonard was drafted in the second round last year out of South Carolina State. Since he has been with the team, he has been an absolute monster. He led the league in tackles last season as a rookie while missing a game due to injury. He was named First Team All-Pro because of that.

Anthony Walker plays next to Leonard as the middle linebacker and should have a good year this season too. He should be able to make more plays now that teams will scheme for Leonard. Same can be said for whoever their running mate is.

That third linebacker position can be one of many different players. It could be Zaire Franklin, Matthew Adams, Bobby Okereke, EJ Speed, or possibly Ben Banogu. All of these players are either rookies or second year players. The linebacking corp is the youngest position group on the team.

Those are the guys who will likely compete for that other outside spot. It will be one of the few roster battles for a starting position that will happen during training camp. It is something worth watching the entirety of camp.

The linebackers should be good this season, if for no other reason than Darius Leonard is there. He has some bold goals for this season, but he is talented enough to reach them.