Marvell Tell listed as Colts’ breakout player in 2021

PFF believs Tell could have a big season.

The Indianapolis Colts didn’t get to see any developments from cornerback Marvell Tell, who opted out of the 2020 season due to concerns surrounding COVID-19.

Tell was one of three players to opt-out of the season, along with safety Rolan Milligan and linebacker Skai Moore. After a promising rookie season in 2019, there was hope we would see more from the USC product. But those plans were put on hold.

Now, he faces a big year in 2021. Pro Football Focus has the young cornerback listed as a potential breakout player for next season.

Colts defensive back Marvell Tell III didn’t play in 2020, choosing to opt out of the season due to COVID-19 concerns. But that may have just postponed a breakout season for him. A former college safety, Tell converted to cornerback in the NFL and had a solid rookie campaign, albeit one where he saw just 254 snaps. He had five pass breakups from 34 targets and ended the season with a 67.6 overall PFF grade. Given his inexperience at the position and his physical gifts, an improvement was a pretty reasonable expectation. It still is in 2021.

The Colts have some major questions in the secondary so Tell’s return might be nice to get some depth back. It seems the Colts are letting veteran Xavier Rhodes hit free agency to test his value while it remains up in the air if T.Y. Carrie will be returning.

That leaves the Colts with Rock Ya-Sin and Kenny Moore as the only returning starters from the 2020 season.

Tell had his share of flashes during the 2019 season and even though he opted out of a crucial year of development, he faces a big campaign in 2021.

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