The Indianapolis Colts have made some very good moves so far this offseason.
With new additions DeForest Buckner on the defensive line and Phillip Rivers at quarterback, the feeling around the Colts is very positive.
With many new additions to the roster, I will highlight two players who are currently on the roster who are poised to have a breakout year in 2020.
1. Kemoko Turay, DE
Kemoko Turay was drafted in the second round of the 2018 NFL draft by the Colts and quickly showed that he was a top defensive end.
In his rookie year, he showed tremendous promise.
Turay had a 67.6 pass-rushing grade in 2018 which ranked 43rd among 102 qualifying players.
The 14.8% pressure rate that ranked eighth among qualifying edge rushers indicated he was getting pressure at an elite rate.
Turay quickly became a force on the Colts defensive line in his first season.
Going into his 2nd year, Turay took another step in his production.
Kemoko Turay picking up right where he left off last week. 🚫 #CHIvsIND
📺 @Fox59 pic.twitter.com/vnFwCdsy0h
— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) August 24, 2019
According to Pro Football Focus, In the first five weeks of the 2019 season, Turay’s 91.0 pass-rushing grade ranked second among all qualifying edge defenders, and his 22.9% pressure rate ranked second to only Nick Bosa.
PFF pass-rush productivity, NFL top five:
1. Nick Bosa, 49ers
2. Kemoko Turay, Colts
3. Marcus Davenport, Saints
4. Benson Mayowa, Raiders
5. Danielle Hunter, Vikings— David Lombardi (@LombardiHimself) October 8, 2019
Turay was tearing up the league and was in good company with Nick Bosa and showed no signs of slowing down.
Unfortunately, Turay suffered an ankle injury that had him sidelined for the remainder of the 2019 season.
The 2020 NFL Season can’t come soon enough for Kemoko Turay who is ready to get back to his terrifying form of last year before injury struck.
With the offseason moves the Colts have made, adding DeForest Buckner and having veteran Justin Houston on the line will definitely benefit Kemoko Turay, and even make his job easier… as if he needed it to be.
With the offseason moves that the Colts have made, we could potentially see a very, very good defensive line in 2020.
The Colts and GM Chris Ballard have been building a solid defense over the past couple of seasons and this season it could be one of the most formidable defenses in the NFL.
The Colts starting defensive line could potentially look like: Buckner, Houston. Autry and Turay.
#Colts projected starting defensive line:
• Justin Houston
• Denico Autry
• DeForest Buckner
• Kemoko Turay / Ben Banogu🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/3JHxqVKEzU
— Locked On Colts Podcast (@LockedOnColts) March 16, 2020
This defensive line is very dangerous and if Kemoko Turay has a breakout season as predicted, NFL QB’s should fear the Colts defense in 2020.
2. Parris Campbell, WR
Parris Campbell, an Ohio State standout wide receiver, was drafted in the 2nd round of the 2019 NFL Draft.
Campbell played in 7 games last year, but was plagued by injury, eventually missing the rest of the 2019 season.
If 2019 and his college career are any indications of how he’ll play when he’s healthy, then the Colts have a player on their hands.
Campbell should have a breakout season in 2020 due to the fact that there is a new quarterback in town and Campbell and Phillip Rivers will be looking to get on the same page rather quickly in the offseason.
These factors prime Campbell to have a breakout year, and if he does, he can see himself helping the Colts to the playoffs and get a Pro Bowl bid as well.
Calling it now Parris Campbell is having a break put year and is a pro bowler by the end of the year. https://t.co/B6MbGNaGdA
— Colts Hero (@HeroColts) March 26, 2020
Everyone in the Colts organization knows what Campbell can be, and he has had some bad luck with injuries so far.
As GM Chris Ballard said:
“Look, a little of it was bad luck with Parris (Campbell) this year,” said general manager Chris Ballard. “I’ll say this about Parris, he has not left the building since the end of the season. He has been there working, rehabbing and getting his body (right). I think he understands what he has to do to try to get his body right for the grind of the season. We think Parris Campbell has a lot of upside. I think we saw it.”
Campbell had a few games last season where he showcased his speed and upside.
I think everyone in the Colts organization expects a big year from Campbell, and he expects one too.
This is why I believe he will have a breakout year and really set himself up as a trusted receiver for quarterback Philip Rivers.
NEXT: With Veterans Available, Colts Showing Confidence In Chase McLaughlin