Colts rookie has that 'it factor' according to a veteran player and he could earn a starting job with a strong training camp

Colts rookie Justin Walley has impressed Charvarius Ward

Ward knows all about being doubted when beginning your NFL career. He went undrafted out of Middle Tennessee State and signed with the Dallas Cowboys. He was traded ahead of roster cutdowns to the Kansas City Chiefs in a player for player swap for Parker Ehinger. He appeared in 13 games during his rookie season with the Chiefs and made two starts. By year two, he was a full time starter and became a household name as one of the best defenders in Kansas City, and helped them win a Super Bowl in 2020. 

With the Chiefs having too many mouths to feed, he moved on by signing with the San Francisco 49ers ahead of the 2022 season. He proved to be one of the best CBs in the league in San Fran, including his first ever Pro Bowl selection in 2023, with him setting career highs with five interceptions and a league-leading 23 pass deflections. He now joins the Colts as one of the highest caliber CBs the team has had in recent memory and forms a fantastic veteran duo with Kenny Moore II that young players would be wise to watch closely. 

It doesn't seem to take long for those around Walley to be impressed with how he carries himself on and off the field. He became a favorite of his college coaches and a huge locker room leader among his teammates at Minnesota. He now joins the Colts and will be competing for the second starting outside CB job opposite Ward. Being well respected amongst those around him seems to be carrying over into the NFL as well, with coaches and his new teammates taking notice already. Ward recently shared his thoughts on the Colts' third round pick, Walley. 

"He's shown me he can be a dog. He can cover real well. He's had some rookie mistakes because he's a young guy, but he's been competing with all of the big dogs on the offense. I think he got it in him, he's got that 'it factor' in him. He's confident in himself, he's not scared. He doesn't act like a rookie all the time, he kind of acts like a vet. He has his head on straight, I've been proud of him so far for sure." 

- Charvarius Ward's first impression of rookie Justin Walley