Like almost every team in the NFL, the Indianapolis Colts will use three cornerbacks on the field a lot. That's because teams throw the ball a lot, so players who can cover receivers are needed. It's simple math.
The third cornerback is the nickelback, and for the last eight seasons, that player has been Kenny Moore. He was released this offseason, though, but Indy had his replacement already on the roster in a person who has never played a down in the NFL. That is Justin Walley.
Walley was a third-round draft pick last year, but after having a strong training camp, he tore the ACL in his left knee and missed the season. He showed enough last year to make Moore expendable once the older cornerback decided he wanted out of Indianapolis. Walley does have big shoes to fill, though.
Justin Walley likely to be the Indianapolis Colts long-term answer at starter at slot cornerback
Even though Moore turned 30 years old before last season, he was still quite good in coverage. He likely will land somewhere, potentially with the Dallas Cowboys, who need a good slot corner, and will help his new team win games. But a soon-to-be 31-year-old nickelback is likely a diminishing player, and the 23-year-old Walley taking his spot makes sense for many reasons.
The main one being that Walley should be Moore's equal immediately, and will only get better with more playing time. He is also fortunate to have a lot of veteran help at outside corner, and those players, Sauce Gardner and Charvarus Ward, are going to be able to be on-field coaches for Walley.
Positively assuming that Walley is a good player from the true start of his career, he is likely to be playing next to Gardner for many years to come. Ward is now 30 years old and suffered three concussions last season. He is probably closer to the end of his career, and is definitely more so than Gardner or Walley.
However, the trio could be together for a couple of seasons, and arguably could be the best cornerback threesome in the NFL. Justin Walley has to prove his excellence first, of course, but Indianapolis Colts fans already saw how well he was doing last year before his injury.
To be fair, the Colts need Walley to do well. The depth behind him in the slot isn't great. But let's hope that won't be a worry and the young corner becomes a Pro Bowler in future years. He has the ability to do just that.
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