In a recent ranking, the linebacker unit for the Indianapolis Colts, led by Darius Leonard, was ranked as one of the best units in the NFL.
For the last four seasons, the Indianapolis Colts have been lucky to have one of the best linebackers in the NFL in Darius Leonard. After being a criticized draft pick, Leonard quickly established himself as one of the best linebackers in football, maybe the best.
He has made an All-Pro team every season he’s been in the NFL and has also been to three Pro Bowls. Leonard has really been the tone-setter for Indianapolis and led a consistently above-average defense. However, the linebacker unit is more than just Darius Leonard.
The Colts also have an emerging star in Bobby Okereke, a locker room leader in Zaire Franklin, and another promising young player in EJ Speed. In addition to Leonard, this skill and depth are the reason they’re considered one of the best linebacker units in the NFL.
Recently, Seth Galina from PFF ranked all 32 linebacker units in the league. Galina ranked the Colts at No. 2 in the NFL, only trailing Fred Warner and the San Francisco 49ers.
Linebackers with the most INT’s in both man and zone coverage last season
— PFF IND Colts (@PFF_Colts) March 11, 2022
Man: Bobby Okereke (2)
Zone: Darius Leonard (4) pic.twitter.com/RJ4JbjcbYx
Colts linebackers ranked second-best unit in the NFL
Galina details how well Indy’s linebackers grade, especially Leonard, but you can just turn on the film to see how special of a unit they are. They fly around and make plays, but not just regular tackles, game-changing, forced-turnover type of plays.
Okereke recently discussed how he and the linebackers take pride in being one of the best units on the team and in the league and how they want to be the playmakers for the Colts. That’s evident during Indianapolis’ games. The linebackers are usually looking for a big play to make, and more times than not, they make it.
However, it’s not just Leonard and Okereke. The Colts are fortunate to have depth. When Darius Leonard missed a game last season, EJ Speed stepped in and showed out. This was highlighted by former Colts player, Brian Baldinger, who’s now an analyst.
In one of his famous Baldy Breakdowns, Baldinger showed how Indy’s defense didn’t miss a beat with Speed on the field and credited it to the Colts being a well-coached team.
.@Colts @EJ_SPEED stepped in for @dsleon45 last night and didn’t skip a beat. It’s a sign of a well coached team. Down a great player; backup steps up with a great performance. #Colts will be a problem in January #BaldysBreakdowns pic.twitter.com/B6hXASE1Yc
— Brian Baldinger (@BaldyNFL) December 26, 2021
Indy is well-coached but they also have a lot of talent. Now, they have a new supply of both of those things. The Colts have a new defensive staff led by Gus Bradley and more talented players like Stephon Gilmore and Yannick Ngakoue.
The new additions have the potential to make this defense a really dominant unit but one thing will remain the same, everything will start with the elite linebacker unit for Indianapolis.
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