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Kansas City Chiefs: Colts players to be fearful of in AFC Divisional Round

By John McCarty

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - OCTOBER 30: Andrew Luck #12 of the Indianapolis Colts celebrates after an Indianapolis touchdown during the second quarter of the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Lucas Oil Stadium on October 30, 2016 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - OCTOBER 30: Andrew Luck #12 of the Indianapolis Colts celebrates after an Indianapolis touchdown during the second quarter of the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Lucas Oil Stadium on October 30, 2016 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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Indianapolis Colts linebacker Darius Leonard (53) (Photo by Zach Bolinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Indianapolis Colts linebacker Darius Leonard (53) (Photo by Zach Bolinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

COLTS TO BE FEARFUL OF – DARIUS LEONARD

Perhaps no organization in recent memory had a more impactful draft class than 2018’s Indianapolis Colts draft. Nelson, who we mentioned already, in the first round has been the headline grabbing star, but offensive lineman Braden Smith is starting at right tackle and linebacker Darius Leonard earned All-Pro honors as a rookie, very similar to Nelson.

In his first season in the league coming from South Carolina State, Leonard has been a tackling machine. Contributing eight sacks, 12 tackles for loss along with 163 tackles this season, Leonard has been a major impact and perfect fit in the Colts Cover-2 defensive scheme.

Leonard has also contributed four forced fumbles and two interceptions. In short, the rookie has been a stat sheet filling machine.

Indianapolis has reached this point in part to a rookie class that has performed very well and having done so in rapid fashion. Leonard’s performance certainly will require Patrick Mahomes and the offense to know where the linebacker is before every snap, and someone to keep an eye on.

Will Leonard be the force that slows down or perhaps stymies the Chiefs offense?

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