The Indianapolis Colts had one of their best draft classes in 2018 but Bleacher Report believes the class could’ve been even stronger.
In 2018, the Indianapolis Colts put together a draft class that could be one of the best in franchise history. It all started when Indy selected Quenton Nelson No. 6 overall. Through four seasons, Nelson has already established himself as a generational lineman and he’s a player that Indianapolis is very happy to have landed.
The party didn’t stop there though. All good parties need a great dancer, and the Colts got that when they selected Darius Leonard in the second round at No. 36 overall. The Leonard pick was initially criticized but The Maniac has since made everyone eat their words as he’s now viewed as the best linebacker in football.
One pick after Leonard, Indianapolis selected Braden Smith. Smith broke into the starting lineup as a rookie at right tackle and has been a solid pillar on the offensive line ever since. After the first three amazing picks, Indy wrapped things up with eight more selections highlighted by Nyheim Hines and Zaire Franklin.
Four years removed from this Draft, it’s easy to look back at the players already named and give the Colts an A-plus for selecting this class. However, Ian Wharton from Bleacher Report gave Indy just a regular A and shared the one critique that kept this class from a perfect grade.
Just thinking of our 2018 Draft class. pic.twitter.com/tjeqz0wJEX
— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) April 27, 2021
Critiquing the Colts’ 2018 draft
Wharton believes missing on pass rushers on Day 2 of the Draft is the shortcoming for this class, saying, “The only reason the Colts don’t get an A-plus is that they didn’t quite hit on their pass-rushers. Spending two top-64 picks on rotational players slightly held this class back.”
The players Wharton is referring to are Kemoko Turay, selected No. 52 overall, and Tyquan Lewis, drafted at No. 64. Both completed their rookie contracts with the Colts, and Lewis re-signed this offseason while Turay moved on to the San Francisco 49ers.
In four seasons with Indianapolis, Lewis and Turay started a combined 15 games and recorded a total of 20.5 sacks. They weren’t able to solve Indy’s pass-rushing problem, only developing into contributors on the defensive line.
That’s the difference between Indy receiving a perfect grade and just an A, but that’s still incredibly good. However, with the first three players the Colts selected, Indy will be forever satisfied with this 2018 class.
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