INDIANAPOLIS — It's time for the Week 16 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 — earned his fifth start of the season in last Sunday's victory over the Cowboys, logging one tackle on defense. Adams, who is tied with fellow linebacker Najee Goode, fellow rookie George Odum and safety Corey Moore for the team lead in special teams tackles with seven, has 14 total tackles (two for a loss), two quarterback hits and a fumble recovery for the defense so far.
» Daurice Fountain, wide receiver: Fountain — who was selected by the Colts with their fifth-round (159th-overall) pick in this year's NFL Draft — was inactive last Sunday against the Cowboys. The Northern Iowa product made his NFL debut the week prior in Indy's victory over the Houston Texans, logging three snaps each on offense and on special teams.
» Zaire Franklin, linebacker: Franklin, also a seventh-round (235th-overall) pick, played seven special teams snaps in the victory over the Cowboys. The Syracuse product, who has played in all 14 games with two starts on the year, has 16 tackles, one pass defensed and four special teams stops so far on the season.
» Nyheim Hines, running back: The fourth-round (104th-overall) pick earned his fourth start of the season against the Cowboys, and logged six rushing attempts for 19 yards, as well as four receptions for 45 yards in the winning effort. On the season, Hines has 82 carries for 308 yards and a touchdown, while he also has 56 receptions for 359 yards and two scores in the passing game. He ranks second among all NFL rookies in receptions.
» Darius Leonard, linebacker: Leonard had another solid performance in the win over the Cowboys, as he had a team-best 11 tackles (one for a loss) and two key passes defensed. The NFL's Defensive Rookie of the Month for September, Leonard, the second-round (36th-overall) pick, continues to lead the league in tackles (146) and also has 7.0 sacks, 12.0 tackles for loss, six passes defensed, four forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. He was also this week named an alternate for the Pro Bowl.
» Tyquan Lewis, defensive tackle/defensive end: Lewis, the Colts' second-round (64th-overall) pick in this year's draft, had the best performance of his career Sunday against the Cowboys, finishing with four tackles (two for a loss) and his first two NFL sacks. Lewis, who was activated off injured reserve after missing the first eight games of the season, has 11 total tackles (three for a loss) with two sacks, seven quarterback hits and one pass defensed so far this year.
» Quenton Nelson, guard: Nelson, the Colts' sixth-overall pick in April's NFL Draft, started once again at left guard against the Cowboys, and played all 72 snaps with the offense, as well as five special teams snaps. Nelson, the NFL's Offensive Rookie of the Month for October, this week became the first Colts rookie offensive lineman selected to the Pro Bowl since 1983.
» George Odum, safety: Odum had a solid outing in the secondary for the Colts in their win against the Cowboys, logging five tackles and earning his first-career interception, which he returned for 14 yards. The undrafted rookie — who had played in all 14 games this season with one start — has 14 total tackles (one for a loss), one interception and one pass defensed on the season, and is tied with Adams, Goode and Corey Moore for team-high honors with seven special teams tackles.
» Braden Smith, guard: Smith earned his 11th-career start, and his 10th straight at right tackle, last Sunday against the Cowboys, playing all 72 snaps on offense and one snap on special teams. The second-round (37th-overall) pick, who also earned the start Week 1 against the Bengals as the tackle-eligible player on the first play of the game, has a solid overall grade of 69.1 on the season, according to Pro Football Focus.
» Kemoko Turay, defensive end: Turay was active, but did not play any snaps on defense or special teams last Sunday against the Cowboys. On the season, Turay, the second-round (52nd-overall) pick in this year's NFL Draft, has played in 12 games with three starts on the year, and has 15 tackles (one for a loss) with 4.0 sacks, 12 quarterback hits and one forced fumble. His 4.0 sacks ranks tied for sixth among all NFL rookies, and his 12 quarterback hits ranks tied for third.
» Jordan Wilkins, running back: Wilkins played two offensive and seven special teams snaps last Sunday against Cowboys catching one pass for six yards on the day. The fifth-round (169th-overall) pick has played in all 14 games with three starts on the year, and has 57 rushing attempts for 318 yards (5.6 avg) as well as 15 receptions for 80 yards in all. His 5.58 yards-per-carry average ranks sixth in the NFL for players with at least 50 carries.
