Fansided

Juiciest training camp battle for each NFL team

By Brad Weiss

ARLINGTON, TX - APRIL 26: The Arizona Cardinals select UCLA Quarterback Josh Rosen tenth overall during the first round of the NFL Draft on April 26, 2018 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, TX. (Photo by Andrew Dieb/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX - APRIL 26: The Arizona Cardinals select UCLA Quarterback Josh Rosen tenth overall during the first round of the NFL Draft on April 26, 2018 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, TX. (Photo by Andrew Dieb/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
14 of 32
Next
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – DECEMBER 31: Indianapolis Colts inside linebacker Antonio Morrison (44) lines up before the snap during the NFL game between the Indianapolis Colts and Houston Texans on December 31, 2017, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, IN. (Photo by Zach Bolinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – DECEMBER 31: Indianapolis Colts inside linebacker Antonio Morrison (44) lines up before the snap during the NFL game between the Indianapolis Colts and Houston Texans on December 31, 2017, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, IN. (Photo by Zach Bolinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Indianapolis Colts: Antonio Morrison vs. Darius Leonard

The Indianapolis Colts’ biggest battle this offseason will be Andrew Luck vs. his health. In all honesty, if Luck is not under center at some point during the 2018 NFL season, then the Colts have a major problem on their hands.

Sticking to the Colts narrative that Luck will be ready to go in 2018, we will look at the other side of the ball when it comes to a juicy training camp battle. This one focuses on the interior of the Colts defense, in the second level at the middle linebacker position.

Antonio Morrison is a solid player, and had his best season as a pro in 2017. He started 15 games for the Colts, racking up 64 tackles, while building on a rookie campaign that saw him appear in all 16 games, but only start four.

If he hopes to keep his starting job, he will have to stave off second rounder Darius Leonard, who is one of the better defensive players entering the NFL this season. During his time at South Carolina State, Leonard was a maniac all over the field, and put on highlight reel defensive plays as he earned back-to-back MEAC Defensive Player of the Year awards.

Leonard did play in the FCS, but that does not mean that he is not an elite talent. This Colts defense needs to be better if they are going to compete in a loaded AFC South this season, and Leonard is going to push Morrison for time, if not taking over as the full-time starter at middle linebacker in 2018.