INDIANAPOLIS — It's time for the Week 1 version of the 2018 Colts Rookie Watch, where we take a look at the stats and highlights to track the progress of each rookie on the Indianapolis Colts' roster.
So, without further ado, here we go:
» Matthew Adams, linebacker: Adams — the Colts' seventh-round (221st-overall) pick — played 17 snaps, all on special teams, in his NFL debut on Sunday against the Bengals.
» Zaire Franklin, linebacker: Franklin, also a seventh-round (235th-overall) pick, played nine snaps with the defense and 10 snaps on special teams on Sunday, finishing with one special teams tackle, combining with Chris Milton to bring down returner Alex Erickson for a loss of one yards on a punt play early in the third quarter.
» Nyheim Hines, running back: The fourth-round (104th-overall) pick Hines was used all over the field for the Colts' offense on Sunday in his first-ever NFL game. He finished with five rushing attempts for 19 yards (3.8 avg.) and was targeted nine times in the passing game, finishing with seven receptions for 33 yards. His top play was a 17-yard reception from Andrew Luck to convert a 2nd and 12 play in the second quarter into a first down.
» Darius Leonard, linebacker: Leonard was a standout for the Colts' defense on Sunday as the starting WILL linebacker. Playing in all 55 defensive snaps on the afternoon, the second-round (36th-overall) pick finished with a team-best nine tackles, while also recovering a fumble forced by safety Matthias Farley on Bengals wide receiver A.J. Green late in the first quarter, eventually leading to Indy's first touchdown of the day, a 26-yard touchdown pass from Luck to tight end Eric Ebron.
» Skai Moore, linebacker: Earning his first-career start at MIKE linebacker, Moore played 26 total defensive snaps (47 percent) on the day against the Bengals, and finished with two total tackles. The undrafted rookie's best play on the afternoon was when he combined with defensive end Jabaal Sheard to stuff Bengals running back Joe Mixon for no gain early in the fourth quarter.
» Quenton Nelson, guard: Nelson, the Colts' sixth-overall pick in April's NFL Draft, got the start at left guard against the Bengals, and played all 82 snaps with the offense. With the Colts dropping back for passes on 60 total snaps, Nelson performed relatively well in his matchup against a talented Cincinnati defensive line, earning a pass blocking grade of 70.3 from Pro Football Focus.
» George Odum, safety: Odum was used exclusively on special teams on Sunday, as the undrafted rookie played 21 snaps with the kick and punt units — the second most special teams snaps on the team.
» Braden Smith, guard: Smith reported as tackle-eligible on the Colts' very first play from scrimmage on Sunday, meaning he earned a start in his NFL debut. The second-round (37th-overall) pick played four snaps with the offense in all, being utilized as tackle-eligible for three of them.
» Kemoko Turay, defensive end: Turay was active off the bench for the Colts' defensive line, and finished with 22 defensive and two special teams snaps in his NFL debut, and the second-round (52nd-overall) pick earned two quarterback hurries on Andy Dalton.
» Jordan Wilkins, running back: Wilkins earned the start at running back for the Colts, and finished his day with 14 rushing attempts for 40 yards, while also catching three passes for 21 yards. The fifth-round (169th-overall) pick's best play came midway through the first quarter, when he took a handoff from Luck through the left side of the line for 12 yards and a first down.
