Who should start at cornerback for the Colts in week one?

Last week, I recorded a podcast with Locked On Colts host and Stampede Blue contributor Matt Danely, and we talked for an hour about several Colts-related topics. One thing that Matt brought up is something that I’ve been meaning to write about for a while now, because it’s something that I think is an interesting discussion.

That discussion is this: should Quincy Wilson or Rashaan Melvin be the week one starter at cornerback for the Colts opposite of Vontae Davis?

Wilson is the second round draft pick, and he’s widely assumed to be the number two corner for the Colts entering 2017. I think that’s a fair assumption to make too, as he’s got plenty of talent and is a guy who has fans excited.

But Rashaan Melvin proved last year that he’s more than capable of starting on the outside, as in fact he started nine games a year ago and recorded 60 tackles, seven passes defensed, and two forced fumbles. He did a very nice job of filling in for the Colts, and I think he’s a solid player.

Melvin is an important piece to the Colts’ cornerback position because he gives them some insurance. Earlier this offseason, we already heard Chuck Pagano slowing down the hype and offering a challenge to Wilson to get into football shape, but for our purposes that serves as a reminder that for every rookie there is an adjustment period, no matter how good that player is. Many teams choose to let their top rookies play through that, and that’s what the Colts will do with Malik Hooker. But if for whatever reason the Colts feel that Wilson isn’t quite ready to be the week one starter, they have Rashaan Melvin ready to step in and start. That’s a really nice thing to have, and even if it is Davis and Wilson starting it’s great to have a number three like Melvin who can step in when need be, whether it be because of injury or some other reason.

I think it is very fair to wonder whether Wilson or Melvin would be a better option for the Colts in week one. Assuming he’s up to speed enough, I’d still probably lean toward Wilson because in a rebuilding year I’d be more than willing to let my second round cornerback play through some struggles to hopefully move past them faster, but if there’s any hesitation with that then Rashaan Melvin is not a bad option whatsoever.

What do you think?