Cornerback was the biggest need for the Indianapolis Colts outside of quarterback entering the 2023 NFL draft. It should be no surprise that Chris Ballard decided to double dip at the position after selecting Julius Brents in the second round. To kick off the fifth round, he submitted the card for cornerback Darius Rush.
To no surprise, he’s another Day 3 selection for Ballard that has great athletic traits that he is bringing to the next level. He has great size for the position sitting at 6-foot-2 with 33 3/8-inch arms. He ran a 4.36 40-yard dash proving that he has the speed to keep up with most receivers in the NFL.
According to his RAS score, he’s the 45th-ranked cornerback prospect since 1987.
Darius Rush was drafted with pick 138 of round 5 in the 2023 draft class. He scored a 9.80 #RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 45 out of 2222 CB from 1987 to 2023. https://t.co/91gCtRfpWU pic.twitter.com/av0s7tJMDK
— Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb) April 29, 2023
Rush is still new to the cornerback position. After coming to South Carolina as a wide receiver, he made the switch after his redshirt season. He does a great job at using his size to his advantage by crowding the passing window and getting his hands in on deflections.
Darius Rush (top of screen, ignore the arrow) with the PBU pic.twitter.com/mG28NXnfYY
— Tyler Browning (@DiabeticTyler) April 10, 2023
He’s fluid in coverage, Rush can stick in the receiver’s hips and has solid reactive skills to make a play on the ball.
Darius Rush, keyed in on the receivers eyes. Makes a late head turn to locate the football. Fights through the receivers hands. pic.twitter.com/Ek6zknRo41
— Tyler Browning (@DiabeticTyler) April 10, 2023
He also fits the culture of the Colts’ defense of not giving up on plays and every player flowing to the ball to make a stop.
Hell of a pursuit play from Darius Rush pic.twitter.com/hZRO91fwHd
— Tyler Browning (@DiabeticTyler) April 10, 2023
Rush should be a contributor in Year 1 because even if he can’t win a starting gig, he can help out on special teams. He played on that unit for South Carolina in all four of his seasons, despite being a starter in his last two. He can be a gunner for Indianapolis.
South Carolina CB Darius Rush also has special teams experience as a gunner. #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/W7cYWuS1ZR
— WBG84 (@WBG84) April 11, 2023
With more experience, he should get the nuances of the position down but in the meantime, he can struggle with reading routes as they develop and reacting in zone coverage. He also will need to improve with his run support by learning how to get off blocks and becoming a better tackler.
Rush gives the Colts some depth at corner, is an immediate special teams contributor, and has the talent to compete with Isaiah Rodgers Sr., Julius Brents, and Dallis Flowers for the open starting boundary cornerback spots in training camp.