Zaire Franklin: Unsung Hero of the 2022 Colts Defense

Zaire Franklin played middle linebacker at Syracuse University from 2014 – 2017. He started 39 of 48 games and finished his career with 311 tackles and 31.5 tackles for loss which ranks ninth in program history. Franklin was also just the second 3-time team captain in program history.

Chris Ballard has always been a GM that covets this type of consistency and leadership and selected Franklin with the 235th pick of the 2018 NFL Draft. Franklin rewarded Ballard’s confidence in him and has developed into another stud from the now legendary 2018 Colts draft class.

Franklin has also developed into a leader in the Colts locker room as the 26 year old linebacker has been named a team captain for three consecutive seasons. Throughout his career, Franklin has been utilized as more of a depth piece in a linebacker room that has consisted of former Colt Anthony Walker, as well as All-Pro Shaquille Leonard and 2019 3rd round pick Bobby Okereke. However, Shaquille Leonard’s injury struggles this season have forced Franklin into a more prominent role and he has delivered.

2022 Success

The Colts certainly miss the presence of Shaquille Leonard and will be anxiously awaiting his return. Leonard is a stalwart on defense and has an innate ability to make game changing plays, whether it be punching the ball out to force fumbles or dropping back in coverage and picking off the quarterback. He simply has a nose for the football that has been replicated by few players in the NFL.

While Zaire Franklin has yet to show the same big play ability as Leonard, he has brought a level of stability to the position that the Colts desperately needed in his absence. Franklin is currently tied for the league lead in combined tackles with 54 and sits just one behind New Orleans Saints linebacker Pete Werner for the league lead in solo tackles.

High tackle numbers don’t always translate to defensive success but having this consistency in the second level of the defense bodes well for the Colts run defense going forward. The Colts currently boast a top 5 run defense and while the majority of the credit has gone to defensive tackles DeForest Buckner and Grover Stewart (rightfully so), Franklin’s play has allowed the Colts to prevent big plays in the run game. This will remove some pressure from Leonard (when healthy) and Okereke going forward.

Franklin has also brought a level of physicality to this Colts defense in both the run and pass games. The Colts pride themselves on strong defense and physical football and Franklin has embodied that with his play this year.

Unfortunately, this physicality also led to Shaquille Leonard’s concussion in their week 4 matchup against the Titans as the two player collided in a effort to make a tackle, but that is the nature of the game.

Franklin has been excellent in the run game and has helped lead the Colts to a top tier run defense, but his most impressive, and maybe unexpected, play has come in the passing game. Franklin is certainly not considered an elite pass coverage linebacker with just one career interception, but he has made strides in that area this season making key plays for the Colts.

It’s not often you see a linebacker stay in perfect position on a former 1st round pick at wide receiver, but Franklin has shown he can do just that. If the Colts can get this level of play consistently from their young linebacker, combined with the play of former defensive player of the year Stephon Gilmore, pro bowler Kenny Moore II, and an improving pass rush, expect them to develop into one of the better pass defenses in the NFL as well.

Colts defense moving forward

Zaire Franklin is by no means an elite linebacker or replacement for Shaquille Leonard. He lacks the big play ability of an elite linebacker and still needs more time to develop. But he has certainly been a godsend for a Colts defense missing its best player. And with the struggles this team has had on offense thus far, the Colts will need to continue to rely on their defense if they plan on having any sort of success this season.

Franklin has brought a level of leadership and consistency in the absence of Leonard and has been the unsung hero of this defense. He has made play after play in the run game, leading the league in tackles, and has developed into a solid pass coverage linebacker. The Colts certainly want Leonard to get healthy and back on the field making big plays, but they found a late round gem in Zaire Franklin and he needs to be a fixture of this defense going forward.

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