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An unexpected Colts rookie is keeping pace with the best player at his position in the NFL

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Destin Adams | Last updated 10/15/24

The Indianapolis Colts have had multiple rookies play significant snaps already through the first six weeks of the 2024 season.

Their early-round selections, such as first-round pick Laiatu Latu and second-round pick Adonai Mitchell, shouldn't come as much of a surprise. However, their fourth-round pick Tanor Bortolini, fifth-round pick Jaylon Carlies, and undrafted free agent Dalton Tucker have all also logged at least one start this season.

Two of their day-three picks have surpassed just making starts but have excelled during their time on the field. Tanor Bortolini is making a real argument to be an every-week starter on the offensive line, and Jaylon Carlies has shown himself to be exactly what the Colts needed in their linebacker room: a coverage specialist

Colts rookie Jaylon Carlies is in elite company with 49ers LB Fred Warner

Carlies has graded out as Pro Football Focus' eighth-highest-graded LB through the first six weeks of the season with a 78.3. Even more impressive, he has the second-highest coverage grade of any LB with an elite 90.1 grade, only trailing San Francisco 49ers LB Fred Warner's 92.4.

Warner has had an incredible seven-year career after being drafted by the 49ers in the third round of the 2018 NFL Draft. He has started every NFL game he's ever played in and has excelled in coverage by recording ten interceptions and 51 pass deflections. He is the consensus best LB in the NFL and has been the best coverage LB for quite some time. So, for Carlies to only be trailing Warner is quite a feat, especially in his first six games as a pro.

Carlies was a safety in college at Missouri, and the Colts elected to convert him to LB immediately after drafting him. One of the big reasons for that was that they thought his skill set would allow him to excel at LB after having his fair share of struggles at safety in college. And through the first six games, it seems like he has proven them right. According to PFF, he has been targeted in coverage four times, allowed three receptions for only eight yards, and has had one pass breakup in the year.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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