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Pro Bowl showed why Darius Leonard should be a DPOY finalist

By Brad Marr

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - FEBRUARY 06: Darius Leonard #53 of the Indianapolis Colts and AFC runs for a touchdown after intercepting an NFC pass in the first quarter of the game against the NFC during the 2022 NFL Pro Bowl at Allegiant Stadium on February 06, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - FEBRUARY 06: Darius Leonard #53 of the Indianapolis Colts and AFC runs for a touchdown after intercepting an NFC pass in the first quarter of the game against the NFC during the 2022 NFL Pro Bowl at Allegiant Stadium on February 06, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /
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Indianapolis Colts linebacker, Darius Leonard, showed why he is one of the league’s best defenders in the Pro Bowl.

Over the weekend, the AFC defeated the NFC 41-35 in the Pro Bowl, thanks to a huge play from DPOY Candidate, Darius Leonard.

Maniac doing what he does best, taking the ball away from the opposing offense just like he did during the season and continued it into Allegiant Stadium for the Pro Bowl.

It didn’t take long for the three-time All-Pro to make his presence felt. Just under four minutes into the game, Darius absolutely snatched a clean interception from Kyler Murray, which he returned for 45 yards to give the AFC a 6-0 lead.

Are QBs ever going to learn? Will other skill players tuck that ball away? Here’s to hoping they don’t.

Darius Leonard in the 2021-2022 season scored 122 tackles, caused eight “punch-out” fumbles, four interceptions, eight passes defensed, four TFLs, and three QB hits.

Seriously though, is there a better Turnover King in the NFL?

The Colts ended the season No. 2 in turnovers across the entire NFL, but in the AFC, the Colts were top dogs with 19 interceptions and 14 fumbles for a combined total of 33 turnovers. Darius Leonard accounted for 36% of them by himself.

Trevon Diggs of the Dallas Cowboys led the entire league with 11 interceptions on the season. Good for 32% of the Cowboys turnovers, who finished #1 in the NFL.

Joey Bosa of the Los Angeles Chargers forced seven fumbles on the season. He comes in at No. 2 behind the Maniac in forced fumbles across the entire NFL. One big difference between Bosa, and Leonard is that Joey, a defensive end, is primarily an every-down pass rusher. Typically, the ones who rush the QB every play would be the ones to lead the league in this category. Not this time.

New defensive coordinator, Gus Bradley, could look to incorporate more blitzing Maniac plays next season. That’ll only add to his already instinctive ability to find the football and snatch it away.

While TJ Watt may be the betting favorite to win the NFL’s DPOY award, we as Colts fans know who takes the cake as OUR Defensive Player of the Year. The underdog of the decade.

Thank goodness he’s on our team.

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