Colts dominate CBS Sports’ All-AFC South team
CBS Sports created an All-AFC South team with the top players from each team in the division and the Indianapolis Colts are well represented.
At the NFL level, there’s an All-Pro team and a Pro Bowl where teams are separated by conferences, however, there aren’t any official All-Division teams like you’d find for collegiate conferences. But, that doesn’t stop sports media members from creating them.
Earlier in the offseason, we took a look at what we believe an All-AFC South team would look like, and now, CBS Sports has taken things a step further. Jared Dubin from CBS Sports has created an All-Division team for every division in the league and on Thursday, Dubin released the All-AFC South team.
As one might expect, the Indianapolis Colts dominated the team. Indy was well represented with 12 total players, six on offense and six on defense. Surprisingly, the Colts didn’t have any special teams selections, despite having one of the better special teams units of the last few seasons.
Offensive Colts players on All-AFC South Team
On the offensive side of the ball, Matt Ryan was selected as the team’s No. 1 quarterback. Dubin believes the partnership with Frank Reich makes Ryan the clear-cut top guy in the division. What isn’t clear is the top running back.
Many Indianapolis fans will be pleased to know that Jonathan Taylor got the top running back spot. However, Derrick Henry also made the team as a flex. Dubin argues that Henry’s age and injuries may lead to him slowing down in the coming years while Taylor is just getting into his prime.
Rounding out the offense for the Colts was Michael Pittman Jr. at receiver and Quenton Nelson, Ryan Kelly, and Braden Smith made up the majority of the offensive line.
Defensive Colts players on All-AFC South Team
Defensively, Indy had many of the players you would expect. Shaquille Leonard at linebacker, DeForest Buckner at defensive tackle, Kenny Moore and Stephon Gilmore at corner, and even Julian Blackmon at safety. However, there was one big surprise.
The Colts had one edge rusher selected, and it was Kwity Paye, not Yannick Ngakoue. Dubin believes that in Gus Bradley’s system, Paye will blossom and develop into a serious threat off the edge this season.
Overall, Indy led all teams with 12 total selections and the Tennessee Titans were second with seven. The Jacksonville Jaguars had five players named and the Houston Texans were last with three. This is just further proof that the Colts are the best team in the division and they have no reason not to win the AFC South this season.
