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3 promising things about the Colts that have been overshadowed by Indy’s underwhelming season

By Evan Garrison

Oct 30, 2022; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indianapolis Colts defensive tackle Grover Stewart (90) celebrates a tackle for a loss in the second quarter against the Washington Commanders at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 30, 2022; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indianapolis Colts defensive tackle Grover Stewart (90) celebrates a tackle for a loss in the second quarter against the Washington Commanders at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Colts, Grover Stewart, Zaire Franklin
Indianapolis Colts defensive tackle Grover Stewart (90) stands in the huddle Sunday, Oct. 30, 2022, during a game against the Washington Commanders at Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. /

1. Grover Stewart and Zaire Franklin have led a good defense

Coming into this season, certainly, no one thought the defensive line, led by DeForest Buckner, would be a liability. Although the line still needs to work on getting to the passer, the Colts’ defense has largely kept the team in games against good teams. However, it’s clear that no player on the defensive roster has had as good of a year as defensive tackle Grover Stewart. Grover Stewart has been playing at such a high level that opposing players are approaching him after games expressing to him how he’s playing at an All-Pro level and to keep working.

Any defensive lineman that plays next to Buckner and veteran edge rusher Yannick Ngakoue is likely to look like the unit’s little brother, yet Stewart leads the defensive line in tackles, tackles for loss, and even has the only two blocked kicks on the team. Stewart’s playing at an All-Pro level on perhaps one of the friendliest contracts in the NFL with an AAV of just over $10 million.

Zaire Franklin has been nothing short of a revelation this season with Indianapolis and is a constant reminder of just how good the 2018 Colts draft class was. Franklin is tied for second in the NFL in total tackles and he was never supposed to take the defensive snaps that he is each week. Despite being a former seventh-round pick, being a special teams captain, and a complimentary depth piece on defense, Zaire Franklin has arguably become the most important player on the Indy defense.

The fact that Franklin has been able to slide in to replace Shaquille Leonard is a feat in itself. But, like Grover Stewart, Franklin and his brilliant performance have been one of the main reasons that Indianapolis has found itself competitive against some teams. The season is likely a wash. However, it’s hard not to get excited about Franklin joining Leonard on the defense along with fellow stud linebacker Bobby Okereke next season.

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