5 breakout stars to watch for Indianapolis Colts in 2020

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - NOVEMBER 17: Braden Smith #72 and Nyheim Hines #21 of the Indianapolis Colts celebrate after Hines ran for a touchdown during the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Lucas Oil Stadium on November 17, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

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NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – DECEMBER 16: Braden Smith #72 of the Indianapolis Colts in action against the New Orleans Saints during a game at the Mercedes Benz Superdome on December 16, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /

2. T Braden Smith

It was a draft that reverses the fortunes of the Indianapolis Colts as the franchise began the Frank Reich Era. With the sixth overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, general manager Chris Ballard opted for former Notre Dame standout Quenton Nelson. He quickly established himself as one of the best guards in the league and quickly helped changed the mentality of the Colts’ offensive front and arguably the team in general.

Ballard also selected four players in the second round, including linebacker Darius Leonard – who earned NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year honors thanks to an impressive debut campaign – with the 36th overall pick. At No. 37, the Colts went back to the offensive front and opted for talented Braden Smith. The 6’6”, 315-pound prospect for the University of Auburn was a 15-game starter as a rookie if you include the postseason split with the Texans and Chiefs and was in the opening lineup for all 16 contests this past year.

Pro Football Focus (subscription required) not only ranks Smith as one of the best tackles in the league, only three players at his position have higher grades when it comes to run blocking. Could some improvement when it comes to pass protection send him to his first Pro Bowl?

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