The Indianapolis Colts have had a whirlwind of a season to begin the 2019 campaign, but they remain right in the thick of the competition battling for the division.
With the first quarter of the season behind them, the Colts are staring at a 2-2 record. They have gotten some disappointing performances, and they have gotten some surprisingly strong performances.
Though it is a small sample size, here are the Colts’ quarter-season awards:
Most disappointing player
Entering the 2019 season, the Colts were proud of the depth they have built in the cornerback room. A piece of that depth that was expected to take a step forward in his development was cornerback Quincy Wilson. Through the first four weeks, however, it hasn’t come to fruition.
The embattled Wilson was selected in the second round of the 2017 draft in hopes he could quickly turn into a weekly starter in the Colts secondary. Though he showed some promise during the 2018 season and the 2019 offseason, he still continues to struggle while working as a dime cornerback.
Wilson’s development hasn’t taken the type of turn that most were hoping it would in 2019, and he’s been arguably the biggest disappointment of the season thus far.
Honorable Mention: WR Parris Campbell
Most surprising player
The Colts knew they were entering the draft with a defensive-heavy mindset, which eventually resulted in four of their first five picks coming on that side of the ball. Among them was a safety out of Michigan State, whom the Colts traded up 20 spots for in the fourth round.
Khari Willis has been slowly emerging as a starter in the secondary and with the injury to Malik Hooker, that role has become even more expanded. The rookie safety has exceeded all expectations through the first four weeks of the season—showing promise against the run and in pass coverage.
The Colts have a thin safety room as it stands, but Willis is proving he can be a long-term answer to the running mate of the aforementioned Hooker.
Honorable Mention: WR Zach Pascal
Rookie of the Year
Yeah, there really isn’t another way around it. Out of all of the rookies that have gotten significant snaps, Khari Willis has been the one to make the biggest impact. There have been some impressive flashes for cornerback Rock Ya-Sin and linebacker Bobby Okereke, but they have failed to produce with consistency.
Willis, though, has been a steady force in the defensive backfield since the beginning of the season. His 18 solo tackles are the second-most on the team, and he’s also added a pass defended and tackle for loss. The Michigan State product has been flying around the field and while he’s had his rookie moments, he’s been mostly impressive.
The Colts have a battered safety room, which should allow for Willis to continue seeing a starting role—one that could be his for the rest of the season if he keeps it up.
Honorable Mention: LB Bobby Okereke
Heart and Hustle
Throughout the offseason, the Colts made a few additions to the wide receiver room. This included the likes of veteran Devin Funchess from free agency and the selection of Parris Campbell in the second round of the draft. But no one—outside T.Y. Hilton—has shown more heart and hustle than Zach Pascal.
Once thought to be a potential cut following the preseason, Pascal has emerged as a consistent WR2 in the Colts offense. He’s made some big plays when the Colts have needed it, and his work on special teams is just another example of his selflessness to do what’s best for the team.
Through four games, Pascal has six receptions for 125 yards and a touchdown and was the leading receiver when Hilton was out in Week 4.
Honorable Mention: LG Quenton Nelson
MVP
There really shouldn’t be any debate here. Only one player has proven just what he has meant to the team when he’s on the field and how much they have missed him when he’s off of it. That’s T.Y. Hilton.
After missing the Week 4 matchup against the Oakland Raiders, it was abundantly clear that Hilton is what makes this offense explosive. His absence was noted greatly in the passing game and—to a bit of surprise—in the red zone as well.
In his three games, Hilton is pacing the Colts in targets (25), receptions (20), receiving yards (195) and touchdown receptions (four). He’s the heart of the offense and the piece that makes the unit dangerous. As long as he’s out with a quad injury, the Colts will be missing their MVP.
Honorable Mention: QB Jacoby Brissett
