INDIANAPOLIS — The Indianapolis Colts wrapped up their 11-man 2018 NFL Draft haul on the defensive side of the ball.
The team selected Syracuse linebacker Zaire Franklin with its second of two seventh-round selections (235th overall).
Franklin — who stands at 6-foot tall and weighs 239 pounds — had a decorated career for the Orangemen, where he became just the second three-time captain in school history, and the first in 121 years.
A two-time All-ACC selection, Franklin played in 48 total games, starting the last 39, at middle linebacker, and racked up 311 total tackles (31.5 for a loss, finishing tied for ninth in program history), 8.5 sacks, five forced fumbles, 10 passes defensed and two interceptions.
Although he did not get an invite to the NFL Scouting Combine, Franklin put on a show at his Pro Day at Syracuse, running the 40-yard dash in 4.58 seconds, jumping 38 inches high and putting up 30 reps on the bench press. Those numbers would have placed him within the top six of those who did participate in the Combine, according to Syracuse.
Franklin is the third linebacker taken by the Colts in this year's draft, which helped the team address a major roster need; the Colts selected Darius Leonard in the second round and Matthew Adams earlier in the seventh round.
Check back with Colts.com later for more on this developing story.
