PFF names two Indianapolis Colts standouts to 2021 All-Pro team
By Mike Luciano
The Indianapolis Colts have bounced back from a very sluggish start in order to get right back into the playoff hunt. With just four games left in the season, the combination of Carson Wentz and Jonathan Taylor has been effective enough to perk this offense right back up.
Following an early-season lull, the offense has become the fourth-best attack in the league in terms of points per game. Following an 0-3 start, Indianapolis has scored at least 23 points in each of the last 10 games. When you have a potential Offensive Player of the Year in the backfield, scoring becomes just a bit easier.
If Indianapolis continues to pile up the wins down the stretch, they could see some of their best individual players get the credit and recognition that they deserve. Pro Football Focus thinks that two Colts standouts may have been the best two players in the league at their respective positions.
PFF named Taylor a first-team All-Pro for his gaudy statistical numbers, while receiver Ashton Dulin was named as the AFC special teams representative. Linebacker Darius Leonard was still able to nab a second-team nod after a strong resurgence in the middle of the season.
Colts studs Jonathan Taylor and Ashton Dulin are PFF All-Pros.
When Titans star Derrick Henry went down with a foot injury, Taylor used that opportunity to show that he is one of the premier players at any position in the game. Taylor is leading the league in rushing yards, yards from scrimmage, and touchdowns, all while averaging 5.6 yards per carry.
In the next few games, Leonard will cross 100 tackles for the fourth time in his four-year career. With five forced fumbles and two interceptions, No. 53 has been one of the few relatively consistent performers on a defense that has been hampered in a major fashion by injuries
Dulin might be listed as a receiver, but he has just 12 catches and 150 yards to his name. PFF did take note of the value he brings on special teams. In addition to tallying 221 snaps on special teams this season, Dulin has made 16 tackles. Not bad for a kid from Malone University.
The Colts went from an 0-3 team that was ruing the day that they gave away a first-round pick for Carson Wentz to an offense with the best running game in the league, a defense that continues to keep their heads above water, and some surprisingly solid special teams. Time will tell if that formula can bring them some wins in January.