USA TODAY Sports

This Colts player is having an All-Pro level season

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Destin Adams | Last updated 10/9/23

Indianapolis Colts LB Zaire Franklin isn't some fad that comes and goes, he is here to stay.

The NFL's tackle leader continues to make plays week in and week out. This week was no different as he met Derrick Henry in the hole one one-on-one and swallowed the star RB to force a turnover on downs.

King Slayer https://t.co/rdUKoC0rBS
— Zaire Franklin (@ZiggySmalls_) October 8, 2023

Franklin currently leads the NFL in total tackles (69) and solo tackles (37). And he is in elite company historically with his play through the first five weeks of the season.

.@Colts LB @ZiggySmalls_ is only the 5th player in last 35 years to have 10+ tackles in 5 straight games to start a season:

-Ray Lewis (7 games, 1999)
-Denzel Perryman (6 games, 2021)
-Luke Kuechly (6 games, 2016)
-Zach Thomas (6 games, 2005)
-Zaire Franklin (5 games, 2023)
— JJ Stankevitz (@JJStankevitz) October 9, 2023

Three of the four players that Franklin joins in this feat are former First Team All-Pro selections.

Ray Lewis
Luke Kuechly
Zach Thomas

And Franklin's play this year warrants his first Pro Bowl selection, as well as being named an All-Pro. His new nickname may be "The King Slayer," but "All-Pro" Zaire Franklin has quite the ring to it.

People around the league are starting to take notice of Franklin's play to start this season. And it is warranted he has not only been the best linebacker on the Colts, but he has been the best LB in the entire NFL this year.