The Indianapolis Colts roster is one filled with young talent ready to emerge and take that next step into the national spotlight. Some already have while others may not get the credit they deserve.
The Colts have a number of young players who have yet to establish themselves despite having the talent to do so. That could all change for some of them if they wind up having a strong 2020 campaign.
The first step into stardom is getting on the radar by becoming a rising star. With a strong 2020 season, here are seven Colts who could enter the mix for that title:
RB Jonathan Taylor
Being one of the most productive running backs in college football history and then getting selected in the second round of the 2020 draft already gave Taylor enough recognition. If he comes through with a big season, there is little doubt he will be pegged as a rising star.
Taylor has to compete with incumbent starter Marlon Mack, who is talented in his own right. The duo is expected to split carries on early downs while Taylor should see a few more targets than Mack in the passing game. If he gets a few explosive plays under his belt and earns more of a role in the second half of the season, we could be talking about Taylor in a very different light next year.
WR Parris Campbell
The Colts still have T.Y. Hilton and just drafted Michael Pittman Jr. in the second round, but Campbell is a player who could really emerge if he earns a rapport with Philip Rivers from the start.
Working out of the slot, Campbell has the perfect skill set for an offense that wants to get the ball out of the quarterback’s hands quickly for the majority of the time. Campbell’s speed is enough for him to become one of the offenses’ most explosive players.
If he can stay healthy after an injury-riddled rookie season, it may be difficult for Campbell to not emerge from the 2020 campaign as a rising star.
RT Braden Smith
This one may be a little obvious because an argument can be made that Smith is already a rising star in the NFL. As one of the top young tackles in the league, Smith hasn’t quite gotten the national recognition he deserves after becoming the starter in 2018.
The third-year right tackle was drafted as a guard but was forced to the edge due to injuries along the line during his rookie campaign. Smith has been nothing but excellent on the right side, especially in the run game where he simply moves defenders off the ball.
There are some consistencies that need work as a pass protector, but Smith is on the verge of being a top right tackle in the NFL.
DE Ben Banogu
With Justin Houston leading the way and the addition of defensive tackle DeForest Buckner likely leading to more 1-on-1 matchups, Banogu has a chance to truly establish himself in the defense as a speed rusher from the edge.
Of course, he is likely to be splitting time with Kemoko Turay, who is still working his way back from the ankle injury that claimed his 2019 season. But Banogu had a strong season in limited work during his rookie campaign and has all of the makings to become a rising star in the NFL.
Year 2 will be a crucial one for the TCU product and it could lead to him emerging as a rising star.
LB Bobby Okereke
Not much needs to be said about Okereke that hasn’t already been documented. The second-year linebacker has the chance to steal the MIKE position but will face stiff competition from Anthony Walker Jr. in that battle.
Still, Okereke has the range, length and athleticism that today’s linebacker needs in order to be successful on all three downs. The Stanford product flashed during his rookie campaign and if he continues to develop his instincts and run-stopping ability, he will jump on the radar around the league.
CB Rock Ya-Sin
As it has already been noticed, many of these players are entering their second year in the league. When taking out the Denver game, Ya-Sin had a strong rookie season that was filled with promise and optimism.
He’s now clearly a starter on the boundary with the chance to prove he’s worthy of being a rising star in the league. A lot of the secondary’s success in 2020 will rest on the shoulders of the former second-round pick but if he continues to develop his game, he will become one of the young cornerback studs around the league.
S Khari Willis
A nice surprise for the Colts during the 2019 season, Willis emerged as a starter just a few weeks after the campaign started. He quickly took the starting role from Clayton Geathers as the strong safety and now reprises his role as an enforcer in the secondary.
The Colts have a lot of faith in Willis to be a reliable starter in the NFL, and he proved to be as much throughout the course of his rookie season. However, he can take that next step in 2020 with a strong campaign against the run and in coverage.
The secondary has a lot of question marks to face this season, but Willis can be a bright spot in the safety room.
