The Indianapolis Colts roster is composed mainly of young players hoping to develop into reaching their ceilings. When a player enters their third season in the league, it is typically a crucial point in the development process.
The Colts have a number of players entering their third year in the league. Most of them stem from the 2017 NFL Draft where general manager Chris Ballard first made his mark on the team. Some have been let go, but there are a few that have something to prove in 2019.
Here are five Colts entering their third year with something to prove:
CB Nate Hairston
A fifth-round pick with the Colts in 2017, Hairston was a raw prospect having converted recently to the cornerback position during his time at Temple. He quickly became the starting slot cornerback during his rookie season and halfway through the 2018 season.
Hairston appeared to be on the fast track to be a starter in the secondary until he was benched during the Week 8 matchup against the Oakland Raiders following a blown coverage that led to a touchdown. It isn’t clear why, but Hairston rarely saw the field after that.
He saw no more than six snaps in any game during the second half of the regular season. Hairston now finds himself on the roster bubble this offseason and will be looking to prove he still deserves a spot in the secondary.
RB Marlon Mack
One of the Colts’ fourth-round picks in the 2017 draft, Mack doesn’t face a dire situation like the aforementioned Hairston. Instead, he is out to prove that he can handle the bulk of the work in the backfield following a breakout season in his second year.
Mack worked behind the legend of Frank Gore during his rookie season but flourished in 2018. He took over the backfield rotation during the second half of the regular season to average 4.7 yards per carry while posting 10 total touchdowns.
The Colts did add Spencer Ware to the rotation, but Mack is expected to be the leader in touches. He’s out to prove that he can be the three-down back the Colts believe him to be.
DT Grover Stewart
When looking at the defensive roster and depth chart, it is apparent that the Colts like Stewart’s talent seeing as he is the only nose tackle currently on the defensive line. A fourth-round pick in 2017, Stewart hasn’t developed into a starter, but Chris Ballard is expecting a big jump in Year 3.
Stewart brings a big body to the interior and one that has shown can be effective against the run. The Colts decided against re-signing veteran Al Woods, which paves the way for Stewart to grab a bigger role. He’s played in 30 games over his first two seasons but has made just one start.
Stewart has played no more than 31% of the defensive snaps in any of his first two seasons. That could change in his third year if he can prove he’s worthy of working as the starting nose tackle.
LB Anthony Walker
A player that just recorded over 100 tackles for the first time in his career has something prove? Absolutely. The Colts proved during April’s draft that they aren’t satisfied with the linebacker corps. That includes Walker despite his underrated 2018 campaign.
Walker worked well alongside All-Pro Darius Leonard, but there are some areas he struggled with working from the MIKE position. This is especially true when it came to pass coverage, which is one of the reasons why the Colts spent a third-round pick on rangy Stanford linebacker Bobby Okereke.
Walker is entering his third season looking to prove he can handle the work of a starting linebacker while keeping the athleticially-gifted Okereke from taking his role in the defense.
CB Quincy Wilson
Arguably the Year 3 player with the most to prove is Wilson, who has had his share of struggles and success since being selected as a second-round pick in 2017. Following a strong second half to his second season, Wilson is in line to grab a starting role.
The Florida product wasn’t ready for the NFL life his rookie season. It caused him to miss valuable development time. He came back with a new mindset in Year 2 while learning under veteran Mike Mitchell, who took Wilson under his wing to show him how to survive the rigors of the league.
Wilson wound up claiming a starting role as the season came to an end and showed he can turn into the player the Colts thought he could when they drafted him. He’s out to prove that the maturity process is continuing while also going out and claiming a starting role from the beginning.
