In just over a week, the biggest event of the spring will take place. It’s what everyone has been waiting for. This isn’t about the 2019 NFL Draft. No, “Avengers: Endgame” hits theatres to wrap up the thrilling series of 22 films that is now known as the Infinity Saga.
The Indianapolis Colts are currently preparing to enter the draft in hopes of continuing their rebuild while the Avengers are looking to rebuild from the L they took against Thanos, allowing him to wipe out half of the universe.
For fun, we are going to take a look at which Colts would have an Avengers counterpart. To avoid confusion of different timelines, origins and stories, we will stick solely with the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Here’s a look at the Colts and their Avengers counterparts:
Andrew Luck – Captain America
We start with the chalk here. I really wanted to make Luck’s counterpart Bruce Banner because if anyone on the Colts (or in the NFL really) has seven PhDs, the best bet is Luck. Still, the right fit here is the Super Soldier.
Just as Cap leads the Avengers in their time of need, Luck is there when the Colts need him. He’s the leader both on the field and in the locker room. He’s the one everyone turns to when a big play is needed.
Though Luck was never frozen in ice for 70 years after saving the world, his 2017 campaign was enough time away to make the league forget how good he is only to triumphantly return to lead the Colts to a playoff spot.
It is also fitting that Luck has a Twitter account paying homage to him called Capt. Andrew Luck. An admirable person off of the field, Luck is the perfect comparison for both Cap and Steve Rogers.
Captain America – Nick Fury – Iron Man – Captain Marvel – Hulk – Hawkeye – Spider-Man – Thor – Black Widow
Chris Ballard – Nick Fury
This one seemed pretty easy. The guy that has built the Colts up quickly into relevance has the counterpart of Fury, who assembled the Avengers when Loki first tested Earth’s Mightiest Heroes in 2012.
Like Fury, Ballard has a unique perspective on building the team. He understands it takes patience and trust in each other to truly build a formidable and lasting unit. Fortunately for Ballard, he still has both of his eyes.
Ballard has proven that he has a unique eye (get it?) when it comes to talent, but he also knows when to trust the people under him in their evaluations. Assembling a team isn’t easy, but it works when guys like Ballard and Fury are leading the way.
Captain America – Nick Fury – Iron Man – Captain Marvel – Hulk – Hawkeye – Spider-Man – Thor – Black Widow
Eric Ebron – Iron Man
This one was a bit difficult, but I think it works. There is no one like Tony Stark except Tony Stark. However, Ebron has some similar traits to that of the man who started off the MCU.
Both Ebron and Stark have a bit of an ego. That’s not to be taken as an insult. Ebron is confident in his abilities to be one of the best tight ends in the league, and he proved it in 2018. Like Stark, he has an eccentric personality that features a sense of wit in each conversation. They also know they can go toe to toe with anyone on their best day.
While Iron Man got his origin after being kidnapped into a cave, consider Ebron’s time in Detroit as his personal cave. He entered and endured some hard times, but came out a different man when he signed with the Colts. He emerged from the Detroit cave a new man with a new purpose just as Iron Man did with the help of his friend Yinsen.
Captain America – Nick Fury – Iron Man – Captain Marvel – Hulk – Hawkeye – Spider-Man – Thor – Black Widow
Darius Leonard – Captain Marvel
When talking about an absolute force, both Leonard and Captain Marvel have one thing in common: they pack a mean punch. Leonard’s came in the form of winning the Defensive Rookie of the Year award while Captain Marvel appears to be arriving just in time to help defeat Thanos.
In terms of Leonard beginning his career and Captain Marvel just now joining the MCU, both can be considered the new kids on the block even though the latter technically arrived in the 1990s.
Just as Captain Marvel is expected to be a part of the new core of Avengers following Endgame, Leonard is set to be a foundational piece to build around in the Colts defense for years to come.
Captain America – Nick Fury – Iron Man – Captain Marvel – Hulk – Hawkeye – Spider-Man – Thor – Black Widow
Quenton Nelson – Hulk
Leave it to Nelson to be the first offensive lineman to have a highlight tape of him simply smashing defenders into the turf. This was a pretty easy comp given Nelson’s affinity to playing past the whistle and Hulk’s desire to smash everything in sight.
While Nelson doesn’t get his motivation to smash from being exposed to gamma rays, he might as well look like the Hulk when taking on a defender. This is especially true when he pulls and climbs to the second level to take on a defensive back, which is comparable to the scene when Hulk smashes Loki to bits in the first Avengers film.
Most are hoping that the real Hulk returns in Endgame. For Colts fans, they will enjoy watching Nelson smash oncoming defenders for years to come as he continues to establish himself as a cornerstone of the team.
Captain America – Nick Fury – Iron Man – Captain Marvel – Hulk – Hawkeye – Spider-Man – Thor – Black Widow
Rigoberto Sanchez – Hawkeye (Ronin)
If there’s one thing we learned about the Avengers, it’s that Hawkeye is supremely underrated. The only time they lost was when he wasn’t around. Coincidence? I think not.
The same can be said about Sanchez. He’s an underrated part of the Colts’ success despite only playing a handful of snaps on special teams each game. However, his pinpoint accuracy on punts is likable to Hawkeye’s accuracy shooting arrows at aliens and flying robots.
While we aren’t expecting Sanchez to show up with a complete makeover like Clint Barton will in Endgame, his importance to the team shouldn’t go without being stated.
Captain America – Nick Fury – Iron Man – Captain Marvel – Hulk – Hawkeye – Spider-Man – Thor – Black Widow
Kenny Moore – Spider-Man
Sure, Moore and the MCU’s Peter Parker might be the same height. But both have extreme athleticism and play-making ability that should benefit both of their teams for years to come.
Moore proved in 2018 that he belongs in the group as one of the emerging slot cornerbacks in the NFL. Like Spider-Man sticking to almost any surface, Moore has the ability to stick with just about any wide receiver in the NFL. He even proved to do so against Tyreek Hill in the playoff game against the Chiefs.
What might go underrated about these two is their strength. Moore proved during the 2018 season that he can be a solid press corner when asked to do so while Spider-Man held an entire ferry boat from splitting in half. Both are vitally important to the future of their teams.
Captain America – Nick Fury – Iron Man – Captain Marvel – Hulk – Hawkeye – Spider-Man – Thor – Black Widow
Margus Hunt – Thor
The Norse God of Thunder and a man that was born in Estonia? Perfect match. Given that Estonia is extremely close to where Norse mythology was most popular, Hunt is likely the closest thing the Colts have resembling Thor.
Hunt’s frame is enough to allow the comparison to the Odinson. At 6-foot-8 and 298 pounds, Hunt brings the thunder from the interior defensive line. He’s constantly wrecking backfields just as Thor does so regularly with Mjölnir, a mystical hammer that was forged in the heart of a dying star.
Thor said he is over 1500 years old in Asgardian years. Hunt is about to turn 32 years old in July. In the NFL, that’s probably about the same. Regardless, both guys are extremely strong and reliable when called upon.
Captain America – Nick Fury – Iron Man – Captain Marvel – Hulk – Hawkeye – Spider-Man – Thor – Black Widow
Marlon Mack – Black Widow
Just as Natasha Romanoff can sneak up on just about anyone, Mack is a sneaky weapon the Colts have in their backfield. Both are liable to make a big play at any time with Mack proving his worth during the 2018 season.
There is also the element that both have something to prove. Black Widow is constantly looking for opportunities to make good of her past actions when she was a spy while Mack will be looking to prove in 2019 that his breakout campaign was no fluke.
The Colts have a lot of confidence in Mack taking over the backfield and being the leader of the unit just as Black Widow has taken a leadership role with the Avengers.
Captain America – Nick Fury – Iron Man – Captain Marvel – Hulk – Hawkeye – Spider-Man – Thor – Black Widow
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