Second and third-year NFL players ready to break out in 2019

#9 Kemoko Turay

A year ago I had Turay “only” as my number nine edge rusher in a loaded class and ranked 72nd overall because he had missed more than a full season over his sophomore and junior years while still learning how to use his hands properly. However, despite that, I still thought he had tremendous talent and impacted plays on a much higher rate than his stats indicated at Rutgers.

As a rookie, he recorded four sacks on only 37 percent of the snaps on defense, while also adding 13 QB hits and 38 total pressures, which put him at a rate of 10 percent of his pass rush snaps. Those numbers would have probably been higher had he not missed two games and dealt with nagging hip and neck injuries, which kept him away from practice and recording any sacks over the Colts’ final seven games (including playoffs).

With recently signed Justin Houston and Robert Mathis as a pass rush consultant, Turay can learn a lot this offseason from two guys who have combined for over 200 career sacks. Coming into his year two, the former second-round pick has to learn how to rush with more of a plan and not let allow blockers to get into his frame as much in the run game. However, I think he has some very uncommon athleticism and shows a great combination of speed and hustle to track ball-carriers down.

With how many bodies the Colts have on the defensive front, I see them using Turay even more on twists and stunts as the guy they try to scheme free, because he can close that space in a heartbeat and arrive at the passer, especially when you see him draw his tackle upfield and then loop back inside. If he can stay healthy, I could see the 24-year-old lead Indy in sacks this upcoming season.