Darius Leonard Has High Expectations For Himself After Sensational Rookie Season

Indianapolis Colts linebacker Darius Leonard had one of the best rookie season we've seen out a defensive player in quite some time. He recorded 163 total tackles, 12 tackles for loss, 7 sacks and a pair of interceptions, earning himself a First Team All-Pro selection as well as the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year award in the process. It's hard to get much better than that.

Many NFL analysts believe this is only the beginning for the Colts LB, and it appears Leonard shares that same sentiment. When appearing on "NFL Total Access", Leonard shared the very high expectations he set for himself heading into year two.

Colts LB Darius Leonard sets lofty goals for sophomore season: 'I want 200 tackles. I want 10 sacks. I want to be NFL Defensive Player of the Year'https://t.co/3hdvrtaxhT pic.twitter.com/EZBGdSGV58
— Around The NFL (@AroundTheNFL) July 17, 2019

Leonard envisions himself racking up 200 tackles and 10 sacks along with taking home the NFL Defensive Player of the Year award. And honestly, who are we to say he can't do it?

If he improves like most second-year players do, that lofty goal isn't out of the realm of possibility for Leonard. He was only about 40 tackles and 3 sacks away from that goal in his rookie campaign, so there's really no reason to think the All-Pro can't pull it off.

Darius Leonard had more solo tackles, combined tackles, tackles for loss, sacks, interceptions, fumble recoveries, & forced fumbles than Bobby Wagner last season. Leonard had 4 forced fumbles last year, Wagner has 4 total in 7 seasons. However, Wagner is a 99 overall in Madden...
— Payton Mead (@Payton_Mead) July 12, 2019

After just one year, Leonard has already cemented himself as one of the best linebackers in the entire league.

Many pundits have the Colts making a deep postseason run in 2019, and Leonard will surely play a hand in how far his team goes.