3 Colts players entering their final season with the team
1. E.J. Speed runs out of speed
With the Colts bolstering up on youth linebackers this offseason, this could be the end of E.J. Speed on Indy’s roster. Yes, E.J. has been great in special teams and has made his mark blocking punts, but is that enough, especially when you sign players that do something similar, and are cheaper/younger?
Speed did have a quality game when he filled in for Darius Leonard against the Arizona Cardinals, but as long as Leonard stays healthy, E.J. won’t be taking any more reps for him. That leaves him with limited responsibility in Indianapolis.
Speed has been great for special teams, but it’s a position that is filled by younger depth players trying to make their way to the 22-man starting lineup. Speed has been running out of that momentum, and I just don’t see how he competes for a starting linebacker position in the future.
Zaire Franklin is a player that made his impact on special teams that earning him a spot on the defensive starting unit. Speed just isn’t Franklin and his time has fallen short, losing a chance at 2023 in Indy.
