Ranking Colts second round draft picks in the Chris Ballard era

Indianapolis Colts linebacker Darius Leonard (53) works to pump up the crowd Saturday, Dec. 18, 2021, during a game against the New England Patriots at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
Indianapolis Colts linebacker Darius Leonard (53) works to pump up the crowd Saturday, Dec. 18, 2021, during a game against the New England Patriots at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. /
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Colts, Ben Banogu
Colts DL Ben Banogu (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images) /

The Indianapolis Colts have dominated the second round of the Draft in the Chris Ballard era. Who was Indy’s best second-round selection?

In the upcoming 2022 NFL Draft, the Indianapolis Colts don’t have a first-round pick. While that would usually be a huge problem for most teams, it’s commonplace for Chris Ballard and Indy.

This will be Ballard’s sixth draft as Indy’s general manager and he hasn’t had a first-round pick in half of them. The Colts have made up for that by dominating the second round.

Indianapolis has had 11 total second-round selections since 2017 and they have been really good. Everyone is hoping that trend continues when Indy picks at No. 42 on Friday.

It will take a lot for that selection to be the best second-round player that Ballard has chosen during his time with the Colts. Indy has found multiple stars in the second round that are thriving in the NFL.

Let’s take a look at the ranking of the players selected in the second round by Chris Ballard.

11. Ben Banogu, DE, 2019, No. 49 overall

Ben Banogu was one of Indy’s three second-round selections in the 2019 Draft. Unfortunately, Banogu hasn’t been able to establish himself in the NFL yet.

In his three seasons, he’s played in 34 games and recorded just 19 tackles and 2.5 sacks. This year will be big for Banogu as he will fight for a roster spot and prove he has a future in the league.

10. Quincy Wilson, CB, 2017, No. 46 overall

Quincy Wilson was the first second-round selection of the Chris Ballard era and Ballard didn’t have beginner’s luck. Wilson only played three years with the Colts appearing in 29 games.

He started 10 games and did record two interceptions for Indy. He was ultimately traded for the 211th pick in the 2020 Draft which Indianapolis used to select Isaiah Rodgers.

9. Dayo Odeyingbo, DL, 2021, No. 54 overall

It’s a bit unfair to rank Dayo Odeyingbo already because he only has half a season under his belt. In 10 games during his rookie season last year, Odeyingbo’s lone sack was a huge game-clinching strip-sack.

If he makes more plays like that throughout his career he should definitely move up this list.