Three Indianapolis Colts players were named to the top-100 players listtop-100 players list for 2021 by CBS Sports.
Leading it off for the Colts is no surprise. Left guard Quenton Nelson came in at No. 26 on the list and as the second guard behind only Zack Martin of the Dallas Cowboys.
“He is one of the best run-blocking players in the game, but his pass protection is good as well. He is a complete player who always seems to find a way to get a highlight-reel block in every game,” wrote Pete Prisco.
Nelson has been a three-time All-Pro and three-time Pro Bowler since entering the league in 2018. He’s on a Hall of Fame trajectory and has been one of the biggest reasons the Colts boast an elite offensive line.
Next on the list for the Colts was defensive tackle DeForest Buckner, who earned his first All-Pro selection in his first season with Indy. Buckner came in at No. 49 on the list.
“The Colts traded to get him from San Francisco last season and he didn’t disappoint. He showed off his power on their line, and he continued to be able to provide pressure as a down player, getting 9.5 sacks,” wrote Prisco.
Rounding out the list for the Colts is linebacker Darius Leonard, who has proven to be the heart and soul of the defense. He’s been one of the most productive linebackers in the league since he was selected in the second round of the 2018 NFL draft.
Leonard coincidentally came in at No. 53, which is the number he sports every week.
“He had 132 tackles, three sacks and seven passes defenses. He is a playmaking linebacker in the middle of their defense who has a lot of good football in front of him,” Prisco wrote.
There will be a number of top-100 lists that feature some Colts so it will be interesting to see if any other outlets include other members of the roster.