Entering the second day of the 2018 NFL Draft, the Indianapolis Colts had a bevy of choices with back-to-back picks early in the round, one of which was used to take linebacker Darius Leonard.

Leonard, whose speed and athleticism fit perfectly into what the Colts will be implementing on their new defensive scheme led by Matt Eberflus, was taken with the No. 36 overall pick.

There were plenty of analysts and draft pundits who felt it was early but they understood why. Bleacher Report was bit more critical of the pick, dubbing it one of the worst selections in the draft.

The Indianapolis Colts’ selection of South Carolina State linebacker Darius Leonard with the fourth pick in the second round was one of the draft’s worst moves. They took four second-rounders, so they had plenty of room for error, but this one stands out as a head-scratcher. In the 2017 draft, no FCS off-ball linebacker was taken. In 2016, the top FCS off-ball linebacker (Kamu Grugier-Hill) was picked No. 208. In 2015, the top FCS off-ball linebacker (Kyle Emanuel) was taken 153rd. In 2014, the top FCS off-ball linebacker (Jordan Tripp) was taken 171st. For whatever reason, we woke up Friday in a world where Indianapolis thought taking an FCS linebacker in the top 40 was a good idea. The selection was turned in with running backs Ronald Jones, Kerryon Johnson and Derrius Guice still on the board. The Colts need a No. 1 back, considering their top returning rusher from last season, Marlon Mack, only has 358 career rushing yards and three scores.

Admittedly, there were some other options the Colts were expected to take, including the aforementioned Guice as well as Iowa cornerback Josh Jackson and Boston College’s Harold Landry, who slid due to injury concerns.

Team evaluations usually differ from analysts’ and the Colts had Leonard as the No. 5 linebacker in the draft, citing his unique athleticism and fit in their scheme as extreme positives.

It remains to be seen how Leonard turns out but he is a perfect fit for their scheme and if he turns out to be a staple on the defense, where he was drafted will become an afterthought.