Player Profile: Denzel Ward could bring Colts secondary back to relevance

2018 Stampede Blue NFL Draft Guide Player Profile

How Ward can help the Colts

The Indianapolis Colts had one of the worst secondaries in all of football last season. Out of 32 NFL teams, the Colts finished 28th in passing defense, allowing 246.6 yards per game. With the focus on thowing the ball in the NFL becoming more and more apparent, it is time that the Colts shore up their secondary for next season.

Denzel Ward would provide the Colts with a cornerstone defensive player that can help immediately. The 5-foot-10, 183 pound cornerback out of Ohio State impressed scouts at the 2018 NFL combine, running a 4.34 40-yard dash, while accomplishing a 39-inch vertical. According to Stampede Blue’s NFL Draft Guide Player Profile, Ward is the No. 1 corner in this year’s draft class.

During his junior season in Columbus, Ward intercepted two passes, while deflecting another 15. He was named a 2017 First-Team All-American and All-Big Ten Conference. His highly decorated college career in one of college football’s best conferences proves that Ward can cover the best.

Scouts are extremely high on Ward for his versatility is coverage. The combination of speed and change of direction make Ward the best cover corner in the draft. The best way to turn around a secondary that is struggling is to get a corner that can completely shut down one of side of the field and I think Ward has the ability to do so.

The one knock on Ward is his size. In the NFL, especially in the AFC South, there are a ton of physical recievers that will need a big, physical corner to slow them down at the line of scrimmage. In college, Ward was able to stick with receivers that beat him off the line of scrimmage with his speed, but at the next level he might not be so fortunate.

We can all agree that the Colts have considerable needs on defense. While that is known, there has been some debate on what level of the defense needs the most attention. For me, the biggest need is in the secondary. The only way that the Colts end up drafting Ward in the first round would be if they decided to move down in the draft. NC State’s Bradley Chubb or Virginia Tech’s Tremaine Edmunds would be better fits if Indianapolis stays at No. 6.

Denzel Ward would be a perfect fit for a Colts secondary that desperately needs help. If the Colts decide to move down in the first round, don’t be surprised if the commissioner is calling Ward’s name for Indianapolis.