INDIANAPOLIS — At the midway point of the Indianapolis Colts' season, it's time to check in and see how the players have fared in the national eye.
We've covered individual awards for Ryan Kelly, Darius Leonard, Mike Mitchell, Quenton Nelson and Adam Vinatieri recently, but 53 players make up the active roster.
Today, we examine which players rank near the top of their respective positions according to Pro Football Focus' grading system.
Andrew Luck
Quarterback No. 10 (83.1), 580 snaps (98 percent)
- 225-of-342 passing (65.8%), 2,187 yards, 23 touchdowns, 8 interceptions, 1 fumble lost, 96.2 passer rating, 16 carries, 63 yards (3.9 avg)
Unsurprisingly, Luck is back near the top of the league's quarterback rankings. Heading into Week 9, he was top 10 in pass attempts (tied first, 342), passing touchdowns (second, 23), completions (second, 225), passing yards (10th, 2,187) and ESPN QBR (10th, 66.3).
Luck has proven to be an ideal field general for the Frank Reich/Nick Sirianni offense. Whether the Colts are dominating with the run game or throwing the ball 50 times, Luck adapts. With his pre-snap reads, ability to keep plays alive and pinpoint accuracy, Luck has led this new offense as well as anyone could have hoped.
Darius Leonard
Linebacker No. 5 (82.3), 470 snaps (86 percent)
- (7 games) 88 tackles (7 for loss), 4.0 sacks, 3 forced fumbles, 2 fumbles recovered, 2 pass breakups
Leonard quickly established himself as on of this year's leading Defensive Rookie of the Year candidates with his ability to fly to the ball and make plays in a variety of ways.
The linebacker currently leads the NFL in tackles (88), is tied for first among off-ball linebackers in forced fumbles (3), and is tied for second among off-ball linebackers in sacks (4.0) and fumbles recovered (2).
Leonard was named the NFL's Defensive Rookie of the Month for September, and has been nominated for the NFL Rookie of the Week award three times — winning it twice — for his efforts in Week 2 and Week 8.
Mark Glowinski
Offensive Guard No. 4 (78.2), 225 snaps (38 percent)
- Started 3-of-5 games, 1 quarterback hit, 7 quarterback hurries/pressures allowed
Because Matt Slauson was the established veteran starter, and Braden Smith was the assumed youngster that would eventually take over, not many saw this coming. But Glowinski has been a stalwart on the Colts' line since being inserted into the starting lineup at right guard in Week 6.
A season-ending injury to Slauson opened up an opportunity for Glowinski to play, and his past experience with the Seattle Seahawks and continued development with the Colts helped him take advantage of the opportunity.
Glowinski's PFF grade his improved in all four games he's played, and he hasn't allowed even a single pressure/hurry since his first start with the Colts in Week 6. He's been a top-three guard to PFF in each of the last two weeks.
Ryan Kelly
Center No. 6 (76.5), 574 snaps (98 percent)
- Started 8-of-8 games, 1 sack, 2 quarterback hits, 9 quarterback hurries/pressures allowed, 3 penalties
On Thursday, Around the NFL writer Chris Wesseling named Kelly the center for his midseason All-Pro team, so the recognition keeps coming in for the third-year center.
Kelly was somewhat robbed of the normal opportunity to grow and develop in his second season last year, as a foot injury and concussion cost him the beginning and end of his season — nine games in all.
That progress and development is now coming along for the former first-round pick, as his fellow linemates and coaches have mentioned many times how they see him getting better each week.
Kelly's physical positive play has been evident, but he is also being lauded for his pre-snap reads.
Jack Doyle
Tight End No. 8 (74.5), 193 snaps (33 percent)
- (3 games) 15 receptions (22 targets), 150 yards (10.0 avg), 1 touchdown
Doyle has only played in three games this season, but he is definitely making his mark.
After missing five games due to a hip injury, Doyle returned against the Oakland Raiders last week and performed at a high level both as a pass catcher and a blocker. He caught six-of-seven targets for 70 yards and a touchdown, but among tight ends he also graded as the top pass blocker (78.8) and fifth-best run blocker (71.7).
Mike Mitchell
Safety No. 5 (83.8), 137 snaps (25 percent)
- (3 games) 17 tackles, 1 interception, 1 forced fumble, 1 pass breakup
Mitchell has only been with the Colts for three games, but has had a very large impact. He was PFF's top safety in Weeks 6 and 7, and he earned AFC Defensive Player of the Week honors for Week 7.
In that game at home against the Buffalo Bills two weeks ago, Mitchell had an interception, and he also forced a fumble that was recovered by the Colts. He left last week's game early with a calf injury.
"It's been great. I mean it's been great to have Mike," Colts defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus told reporters about having Mitchell around the team. "Just to visit with him, talk to him and his knowledge of the game and the way he studies the game – he's really just been really a great addition.
"It's exciting to have that guy in that room – certainly the defensive backs room – have an outlet experience but also just for the entire defense (with) the way he interacts on the sideline, the way he interacts in practice and the way he studies during the course of the week. It's just been really good."
JUST MISSING THE CUT
Malik Hooker — Safety No. 13 (80.0), 472 snaps (87 percent)
Denico Autry — Edge Defender No. 15 (78.6), 187 snaps (35 percent)
Pierre Desir — Cornerback No. 17 (74.8), 405 snaps (75 percent)
Marlon Mack — Running Back No. 19 (73.1), 128 snaps (22 percent)
Quenton Nelson — Offensive Guard No. 16 (70.2), 589 snaps (100 percent)
Eric Ebron — Tight End No. 19 (68.2), 339 snaps (58 percent)
Rigoberto Sanchez — Punter No. 19 (61.5), 117 snaps (50 percent)
