Colts quarterback Sam Ehlinger among top non-first-round rookies

Former Texas football star and rookie Indianapolis Colts quarterback Sam Ehlinger ranks No. 2 in NFL.com’s eleven non-first-round picks who can pop. Senior analyst Gil Brandt believes the No. 218 overall pick could be among the biggest year-one success stories in the 2021 NFL Draft class.

The 11 non-first-round picks who can pop list featured played who were not selected on the opening night of the draft but can still make an impact on their team. Examples from 2020 include second-round picks Jeremy Chinn and Jonathan Taylor. Later in that draft came L’Jarius Sneed, Jordan Fuller and Kamren Curl, who all made an impact as rookies.

Why Sam Ehlinger?

The simple answer to this question is opportunity. With Carson Wentz out, Ehlinger has an opportunity to start week one for the Colts. Getting early playing time with a team that has playoff aspirations never hurts a player’s value, and it provides an opportunity to impress the coaching staff in a live setting.

More: Former Texas quarterback making push for Colts starting job

If Ehlinger were to take the starting job permanently, it would not be the first time in the NFL someone capitalized on their injury reps. Heck, it would not be the first time it happened to Carson Wentz.

The other reason for Ehlinger’s high ranking on the list is chatter about potential sets within the offense designed specifically for the Texas star. Even if another quarterback wins the temporary job or Wentz returns, there could be a place in the Indianapolis Colts offense for rookie Sam Ehlinger.

Who is winning the quarterback competition?

Despite the late-game heroics of Ehlinger in game one of the preseason, head coach Frank Reich was sure to stress that they have not chosen a clear winner in the competition for Wentz’ backup yet. They are currently content to wait and see how the players shape up until Wentz returns.

“We’re trying not to give a final grade just yet,” Reich told reporters in a postgame press conference. “We just want to give this the course to flow out… so just give this time. Don’t force a decision until it needs to be made. There’s plenty of reps to go in practice, in games. There’s no need to declare it 60-40, there’s enough reps that everybody’s going to get a lot. We’re always evaluating in what we like and what we don’t like. But no need to kind of force that decision just yet.”