Isaiah Rodgers has been silently playing good football for the Indianapolis Colts and that earned him the title of best-kept secret.
The Indianapolis Colts lost both of their starting corners from last season. Xavier Rhodes moved on in free agency and Rock Ya-Sin was traded away to acquire Yannick Ngakoue.
However, there isn’t much worry in Indianapolis about the cornerback position. One reason is that the team was able to land five-time Pro Bowler Stephon Gilmore in free agency.
The other reason is because of the promising Isaiah Rodgers. After impressing for a couple of years as a backup, the Colts believe Rodgers is ready to take the next step.
Indianapolis isn’t alone in this belief. Although Rodgers’ quality play has been under the radar, some around the league have recognized it. In a piece highlighting the best-kept secret on every team, Maurice Moton from Bleacher Report gave that title to Isaiah Rodgers.
Isaiah Rodgers: 70.7 PFF grade last season. Third highest among second year Cornerbacks👀 pic.twitter.com/zJv6tEIE5c
— PFF IND Colts (@PFF_Colts) May 21, 2022
Isaiah Rodgers is set up for a breakout year with Colts
Since being drafted in 2020, Rodgers has made his name as a return man in Indianapolis. However, he has also served as a backup cornerback and started one game.
In his appearances, Rodgers has been pretty impressive, especially in his second season. After playing just 6% of defensive snaps as a rookie, Rodgers played 48% of defensive snaps in year two.
In 17 games, Rodgers recorded impressive advanced stats. As the graphic above shows, his 70.7 grade was the third-highest amongst second-year corners. He also had a 36.1 passer rating allowed in man coverage, the lowest for any corner.
As Rodgers’ playing time increases, it would benefit him and the Colts if he can maintain this level of play. Entering camp, Rodgers will likely have the starting corner spot opposite of Stephon Gilmore.
However, the job may ultimately be open for competition between Rodgers and Brandon Facyson, an emerging young corner that Indianapolis signed this offseason.
If Rodgers can hold off Facyson and win the job as starting corner, he should be able to have the kind of breakout season that many people are expecting, and his skills will no longer be a secret.
3 Colts players whose jobs are in danger after the Draft
The Indianapolis Colts drafted eight talented players and some of those players will bring competition to current starters in Indy.