Colts star Darius Leonard starts Julian Blackmon Rookie of the Year buzz

Colts defensive MVP Darius Leonard did some advocating for his teammate Julian Blackmon to get some hardware.

It takes a Defensive Rookie of the Year to know a Defensive Rookie of the Year, so the rest of the NFL world should probably pay attention to what Colts DB Julian Blackmon is doing during his freshman year in the league.

In case their eyes aren’t tuned to the right place, Darius Leonard tried to get the conversation going this weekend.

The emergence of Blackmon has been incredible this season, and though we advocated for Jonathan Taylor as the Colts’ best chance at taking home some rookie hardware in 2020, we’re pivoting now and we hope it’s not too late.

After all, if Leonard tells you to do something, you should follow the Colts defense’s lead and listen.

All Leonard does is gas up his teammates these days, on and off the field.

But the underrated Blackmon hasn’t been getting his proper recognition on the national stage, and that needs to change.

The counting numbers won’t stun you. Two picks, six passes defensed, and 18 solo tackles thus far through eight games played is solid, if unspectacular. But Blackmon has developed into a shutdown safety already, and is often weaponized in all sorts of schemes by defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus.

And, much like Leonard, his energy is unmatched and ridiculous. From Day 1, the 2020 third-rounder has sprinted and smashed like he belongs.

The Colts, staring a nightmarish November schedule in the face, are already 2-1 through a trio of tough games, putting themselves in position to dictate their playoff fate at 6-3.

If Indy’s core makes the playoffs with Philip Rivers as a caretaker this year, Blackmon might not need his teammates to advocate for him any longer, as he’ll arrive properly on the national stage.

But until that business is finished, Leonard is going to stick up for his fellow high-energy teammate. The world better recognize.

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