Horseshoe Heroes
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The 5 best draft classes in Colts history

By Brandon Daniels

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - OCTOBER 20: Andrew Luck #12 of the Indianapolis Colts and Peyton Manning #18 of the Denver Broncos meet after the game at Lucas Oil Stadium on October 20, 2013 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Colts won 39-33. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - OCTOBER 20: Andrew Luck #12 of the Indianapolis Colts and Peyton Manning #18 of the Denver Broncos meet after the game at Lucas Oil Stadium on October 20, 2013 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Colts won 39-33. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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INDIANAPOLIS, IN – OCTOBER 20: Darius Leonard #53 of the Indianapolis Colts stiff arms Kenny Stills #12 of the Houston Texans after making an interception in the fourth quarter of the game at Lucas Oil Stadium on October 20, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Bobby Ellis/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – OCTOBER 20: Darius Leonard #53 of the Indianapolis Colts stiff arms Kenny Stills #12 of the Houston Texans after making an interception in the fourth quarter of the game at Lucas Oil Stadium on October 20, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Bobby Ellis/Getty Images) /

Number 3: 2018

Notable Players:

  • Quenton Nelson
    • Position: Offensive Guard
    • Pick Selected: 6th Overall
    • Seasons Played: 2018-Present
    • Pro Bowl Selections: 2
    • First-Team All-Pro Selections: 2
    • Super Bowl Wins: 0
    • Notable Awards: 2018 All-Rookie Team Selection
  • Darius Leonard
    • Position: Linebacker
    • Pick Selected: 36th (2nd Round)
    • Seasons Played: 2018-Present
    • Pro Bowl Selections: 1
    • First-Team All-Pro Selections: 1
    • Super Bowl Wins: 0
    • Notable Awards: 2018 AP Defensive Rookie of the Year, 2018 All-Rookie Team Selection
  • Braden Smith
    • Position: Offensive Tackle
    • Pick Selected: 37th (Round 2)
    • Seasons Played: 2018-Present
    • Pro Bowl Selections: 0
    • First-Team All-Pro Selections: 0
    • Super Bowl Wins: 0
    • Notable Awards: 2018 All-Rookie Team Selection

This class and the 2012 class was a toss-up; this class ends up being higher than the previous class is how quick this class has progressed and the potential moving forward. This group is headed by 6th Pick Quenton Nelson and 36th Pick Darius Leonard.

Nelson is already considered to be the best guard in the NFL and Leonard is also considered Top-3 at the LB position. What is truly remarkable is how quickly these two players have developed into stars.

Nelson has put together a stunning start to his career, immediately shooting to the top of the ranks in terms of offensive line production. He quickly brought the Colts’ offensive line to the top of the NFL and played a huge role in giving up the least amount of sacks allowed in 2018 (18).

The line slipped to 9th in sacks allowed in 2019 (32), however, the offensive line retained all of its starters from 2018 and will continue to remain near the top of the league in offensive line production, with Nelson at the forefront.

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On the other hand, Leonard has played like a maniac during his two NFL seasons, which is fitting due to his nickname, The Maniac. Leonard led the NFL in tackles in his rookie season with 163 total tackles.

In his rookie season, he quickly made the NFL record books; he is the only player since 1982, when sacks became an official statistic, to record a season with 160 tackles, 7 sacks, and two interceptions. Leonard followed his incredible rookie season by becoming the only non-DB to record 5 or more interceptions in the 13 games he played in.Both Nelson and Leonard have the potential to become two of the greatest players at their respective positions.

Another reason why this draft class is ranked this high is because of the depth it created in the roster. OG Braden Smith, picked directly after Leonard, is one of the best young guards in the league and is a mainstay on the Colts’ top-level offensive line.

Kemoko Turay and Tyquan Lewis are key cogs in the defensive line depth on the roster and can become starting lineman on many teams in the league. Finally, Nyheim Hines became one of the better return specialists in the league in 2019 and finished the year with the most punt return touchdowns and most average yards per punt return in the NFL, per Fox Sports.

This draft class is young and will only continue to get better as they shift into the primes of their careers.

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