2 All-Around Effective Colts Defenders

Speed played his Collegiate football for the Division II program at Tarleton State University. Then, after two redshirt seasons and two position changes, Speed found the field as a linebacker. Speed fought and clawed his way to the 2019 NFL Draft through injuries and off-field issues. In the fifth round, with the 164th pick, the Indianapolis Colts selected Mr. Speed; little did they know how vital Speed’s play would become.

To this point in the 2022 NFL season, Speed has been on the field for 129 snaps; this includes 70 on run defense, 13 spent pressuring the quarterback, and 46 finished in coverage. This puts Speed on pace for 344 snaps this season, which would easily top his career-high snaps for a season, currently at 146.

Speed Dominates The Run Game

In the absence of three-time 1st-team All-Pro Colts defender Shaquille Leonard, Speed has stepped up in all facets of his game. However, his most significant contribution is the one he brings to defending the run game. His ability to sniff out a play while moving at full speed was displayed during the Jacksonville Jaguars’ pivotal fourth-down conversion try.

Speed single-handedly made sure this play would not result in a first down. This was not Speed’s first tackle for loss; in fact, it was his third. On the Colts’ defense, he trails only DE Kwity Paye (5) in this category, per Team Rankings. Along with his tackles made in the offensive backfield, Speed has earned the highest average grade of all Colts run defenders.

Per Pro Football Focus, Speed has received an average grade of 90.7 on his 70-run defense snaps. Additionally, PFF grades Speed as the best run-defending linebacker with at least 20% of snaps played, edging out top-tire starting linebackers Bobby Wagner and Shaq Thompson.

A key statistic when breaking down run defense is PFF’s “STOP.” PFF defines a defensive stop as “a tackle that constitutes a “failure” for the offense.” A failure is defined as a play that goes for two or less, or negative yards. Speed has seven tackles that fall into this category, tied for fifth most on the team.

Taking the number of snaps into consideration, Speed rises to third on the list in STOP%. Speed’s 10.3% trails that of Byron Cowart (11.8%) and Stewart’s (10.7%). Speed has been the unsung hero and one of the best Colts defenders on run defense.

A Solid Defender in the Passing Game

Run defense is Speed’s strength. He has had some issues in coverage, but his ability to pressure the quarterback has come to life in the new scheme under defensive coordinator Gus Bradley. Speed finally recorded his first NFL sack during the Week 1 matchup against the Houston Texans, pictured above.

Speed has one quarterback hurry and one batted pass this season on 13 pressure attempts along with the sack. Speed has been productive enough to earn more playing time, no matter his responsibility on the field.

2. No One Has Mentioned Colts Defender Rodney McLeod

Rodney Mcleod started the season as the backup strong safety on the Colts’ depth chart. After six weeks, he leads all Colts safeties in snaps. This comes while Julian Blackmon is out with an ankle injury. But that does not detract from McLeod’s incredible level of play.

Bringing Strength to the Saftey Position

McLeod has 14 total tackles coming on passing plays. with six of these tackles resulting in a STOP.  Only linebacker Bobby Okereke has more such plays with seven. McLeod packs a punch with his 5’10” frame. Much like Isaish Ridgers Sr., he isn’t afraid to mix it up in the offensive backfield.

While McLeod’s PFF run defense grade is below average at 50.4, it is a bad representation of what he has provided to this unit. As much as I love advanced statistics and PFF’s grading system, there needs to be a balance between stats and the more “old-fashioned” football knowledge in football analysis.

McLeod has played 123 run defense snaps and has three miscues. He has one missed tackle and two penalties. His positive production outweighs these miscues in my eyes. Through six weeks, McLeod has seven solo and three assisted tackles, with an average depth of 1.6 yards.

With this average depth of tackle, Mcleod has six run stops, per PFF. This means that all but one of his tackles resulted in a failed run play.

Why These Two Colts Defenders Deserve More Attention

Speed and McLeod are two vital pieces in the Colts’ defense. Both have fully accepted whatever responsibilities the team gave to them. With full dedication, these two have produced well for the Colts and deserve some more run.