All 32 teams (including Colts) ranked by Linebacker units

ESPN put together its ranking of all 32 linebacker units ahead of the 2024 NFL season. Where did the Colts end up on this list?

Leading the way at linebacker for the Colts are Zaire Franklin, who signed an extension earlier in the offseason, and EJ Speed. Together, the two form a sound linebacker duo against the run but one that was limited against the pass and in their ability to create turnovers. The Colts linebackers should benefit greatly from a stout defensive front that will keep them clean to make plays. Franklin would go on to total 176 tackles last season, according to PFF, and Speed 102.

“Obviously, I know what he’s capable of doing,” Franklin said about playing with Speed. “We’ve been at it together for a long time. Obviously, our energy together, our chemistry together is easy to see out there on the field – just being able to feed off each other.

“I told him, ‘I haven’t played next to somebody like that in a long time.’ Just with his capability of just maintaining that intensity, playmaking and just be out there and having fun together. So, it was great just to be able to experience that. I love the plays that he makes and love what he brings to the defense as well. I look forward to getting back out there with him.”

Fifth-round pick and converted safety Jaylon Carlies could provide a good complement to Franklin and Speed with the added coverage ability he brings to the linebacker position for the Colts–although how big his role is as a rookie remains to be seen.

Grant Stuard and Segun Olubi have been core members of the special teams unit. The Colts also have Ronnie Harrison, who like Carlies, could earn snaps in dime or as a big nickel coverage defender.

Now, on to ESPN’s rankings–here is where the Colts’ linebackers rank among the rest of the NFL:

An offer for Colts fans

For the best local Indianapolis news, sports, entertainment and culture coverage, subscribe to The Indianapolis Star.

$1 for 6 months

32. Tennessee Titans

Oct 8, 2023; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; A Tennessee Titans helmet sits in the end zone before the game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports

Kenneth Murray, Jack Gibbens, Cedric Gray, Otis Reese, Garret Wallow

31. Los Angeles Chargers

Oct 22, 2023; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; A general view of a Los Angeles Chargers helmet against the Kansas City Chiefs during the first half at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Denzel Perryman, Nick Niemann, Daiyan Henley, Junior Colson, Troy Dye

30. Philadelphia Eagles

Sep 26, 2019; Green Bay, WI, USA; A Philadelphia Eagles helmet sits on the field during warmups prior to the game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Devin White, Nakobe Dean, Zack Baun, Oren Burks, Jeremiah Trotter Jr

29. Green Bay Packers

Oct 27, 2019; Kansas City, MO, USA; A general view of a Green Bay Packers helmet during the second half against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Quay Walker, Edgerrin Cooper, Isaiah McDuffie, Ty’Ron Hopper, Eric Wilson

28. Arizona Cardinals

Dec 31, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Arizona Cardinals helmet on the bench during a game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Kyzir White, Krys Barnes, Mack Wilson, Owen Pappoe, Markus Bailey

27. Indianapolis Colts

(Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)

Zaire Franklin, E.J. Speed, Segun Olubi, Grant Stuard, Jaylon Carlies

26. Denver Broncos

Dec 15, 2019; Kansas City, MO, USA; A general view of a Denver Broncos helmet during the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Alex Singleton, Cody Barton, Jonas Griffith, Justin Strnad, Durell Nchami

25. Dallas Cowboys

Jan 5, 2019; Arlington, TX, USA; A view of a Dallas Cowboys helmet prior to the NFC Wild Card playoff football game against the Seattle Seahawks at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Shane Roper-USA TODAY Sports

Eric Kendricks, Damone Clark, Markquese Bell, DeMarvion Overshown, Marist Liufau

24. Minnesota Vikings

Nov 3, 2019; Kansas City, MO, USA; A general view of a Minnesota Vikings helmet during the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Ivan Pace Jr., Blake Cashman, Kamu Grugier-Hill, Brian Asamoah, Abraham Beauplan

23. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Feb 4, 2020; Tampa, FL, USA; Detailed view of Tampa Bay Buccaneers helmets on the sidelines against the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LV at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Lavonte David, K.J. Britt, SirVocea Dennis, J.J. Russell, Vi Jones

22. Los Angeles Rams

Dec 1, 2019; Glendale, AZ, USA; Detailed view of an Los Angeles Rams helmet against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Ernest Jones, Christian Rozeboom, Troy Reeder, Jake Hummel, Olakunle Fatukasi

21. Houston Texans

Jan 12, 2020; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; A general view of a Houston Texans helmet during the AFC Divisional Round playoff football game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Azeez Al-Shaair, Christian Harris, Henry To’oTo’o, Del’Shawn Phillips, Jake Hansen

20. Las Vegas Raiders

Jamie Sabau-USA TODAY Sports

Robert Spillane, Divine Deablo, Luke Masterson, Amari Burney, Tommy Eichenberg

19. Atlanta Falcons

Nov 22, 2018; New Orleans, LA, USA; Atlanta Falcons helmets on the bench during their game against the New Orleans Saints in the first quarter at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports

Kaden Elliss, Troy Andersen, Nate Landman, JD Bertrand, Milo Eifler

18. New York Giants

Nov 24, 2019; Chicago, IL, USA; A detailed view of the New York Giants helmet during the second half against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports

Bobby Okereke, Micah McFadden, Isaiah Simmons, Matthew Adams, Darius Muasau

17. Miami Dolphins

Dec 24, 2017; Kansas City, MO, USA; A general view of a Miami Dolphins helmet during the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Jordyn Brooks, David Long Jr., Duke Riley, Anthony Walker, Channing Tindall

16. Detroit Lions

Dec 20, 2020; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; View of a Detroit Lions helmet on the bench before the game against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

Alex Anzalone, Jack Campbell, Derrick Barnes, Malcolm Rodriguez, Jalen Reeves-Maybin

15. Baltimore Ravens

Sep 22, 2019; Kansas City, MO, USA; A general view of a Baltimore Ravens helmet during the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Roquan Smith, Trenton Simpson, Chris Board, Josh Ross, Deion Jennings

14. Seattle Seahawks

Sep 30, 2018; Glendale, AZ, USA; Detailed view of a Seattle Seahawks helmet against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Jerome Baker, Tyrel Dodson, Tyrice Knight, Jon Rhattigan, Drake Thomas

13. Pittsburgh Steelers

Jun 12, 2018; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; A Pittsburgh Steelers helmet sits on the field during minicamp at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Patrick Queen, Cole Holcomb, Elandon Roberts, Payton Wilson, Mark Robinson

12. New England Patriots

Feb 3, 2019; Atlanta, GA, USA; Detailed view of a New England Patriots helmet against the Los Angeles Rams in Super Bowl LIII at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Ja’Whaun Bentley, Jahlani Tavai, Sione Takitaki, Christian Elliss, Joe Giles-Harris

11. Kansas City Chiefs

Nov 3, 2019; Kansas City, MO, USA; A general view of a Kansas City Chiefs helmet during the second half against the Minnesota Vikings at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Nick Bolton, Drue Tranquill, Leo Chenal, Jack Cochrane, Cam Jones

10. Cincinnati Bengals

Oct 29, 2017; Cincinnati, OH, USA; A view of a Bengals helmet on the sidelines in the game of the Indianapolis Colts against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

Logan Wilson, Germaine Pratt, Akeem Davis-Gaither, Joe Bachie, Devin Harper

9. Carolina Panthers

Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Shaq Thompson, Josey Jewell, Trevin Wallace, Chandler Wooten, Tae Davis

8. Buffalo Bills

Jan 24, 2021; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; A general view of a Buffalo Bills helmet in the AFC Championship Game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Matt Milano, Terrel Bernard, Nicholas Morrow, Deion Jones, Dorian Williams

7. Cleveland Browns

Dec 24, 2017; Chicago, IL, USA; A general view of a Cleveland Browns helmet prior to a game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. The Bears won 20-3. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports

Jordan Hicks, Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, Devin Bush, Tony Fields II, Nathaniel Watson

6. New Orleans Saints

Nov 17, 2019; Tampa, FL, USA; A detail view of New Orleans Saints helmet during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Demario Davis, Pete Werner, Willie Gay Jr., Khaleke Hudson, Jaylan Ford

5. Chicago Bears

Nov 10, 2019; Chicago, IL, USA; A detailed view of the Chicago Bears helmet before the game against the Detroit Lions at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports

T.J. Edwards, Tremaine Edmunds, Jack Sanborn, Noah Sewell, Micah Baskerville

4. New York Jets

Dec 29, 2019; Orchard Park, New York, USA; General view of a New York Jets helmet prior to the game against the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports

C.J. Mosley, Quincy Williams, Jamien Sherwood, Chazz Surratt, Marcelino McCrary-Ball

3. Jacksonville Jaguars

Oct 29, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars helmet on the sidelines against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the fourth quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Foye Oluokun, Devin Lloyd, Chad Muma, Ventrell Miller, Caleb Johnson

2. San Francisco 49ers

Dec 9, 2018; Santa Clara, CA, USA; General view of the San Francisco 49ers helmet against the Denver Broncos during the second quarter at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports

Fred Warner, Dre Greenlaw, De’Vondre Campbell, Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles, Dee Winters

1. Washington Commanders

Nov 23, 2023; Arlington, Texas, USA; A view of a Washington Commanders helmet during the game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Washington Commanders at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Bobby Wagner, Frankie Luvu, Jamin Davis, Mykal Walker, Jordan Magee