QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
"What Is An E.J. Speed IDP?"
An E.J. Speed IDP is a reference to selecting linebacker E.J. Speed as an individual defensive player in a fantasy football draft, who is expected to deliver strong performances due to his hunger for action and key role in his defensive unit.
What Is E.J. Speed's Performance In Fantasy Football?
E.J. Speed has emerged as a valuable target in IDP (Individual Defensive Player) redraft leagues for fantasy football in 2024.
Who Are The Parents Of E.J. Speed?
E.J. Speed's parents are Lisa and Elbert Speed.
What Is E.J. Speed's Fantasy Football Performance?
E.J. Speed's fantasy football performance is unknown as he primarily contributes to the Indianapolis Colts on special teams and defense, rather than offensive positions that score fantasy points.
"What Is An E.J. Speed Contract?"
E.J. Speed's contract is a 2-year deal with the Indianapolis Colts, worth $8 million, which includes a $2.92 million signing bonus, $3.92 million guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $4 million for the period 2023-2024.
What Is An E.J. Speed Draft?
The E.J. Speed Draft refers to the drafting details, prospects, and analysis of NFL player E.J. Speed during his recruitment in the NFL Draft.
What Does "E.J. Speed PFF" Mean?
"E.J. Speed PFF" refers to the player efficiency ratings, stats and performance data of E.J. Speed, a linebacker for the Indianapolis Colts, provided by Pro Football Focus (PFF), an analytics service for NFL performance.
Who Is E.J. Speed's Brother?
E.J. Speed's brothers are Paul and Travis.
BIOGRAPHY
Elbert Martin “E.J.” Speed, born on June 1, 1995, is an accomplished athlete and a professional football linebacker in the NFL for the Indianapolis Colts. He possesses a prodigious record at Tarleton State, where he played his college football, and his wonderful journey from Texas to the big leagues is nothing short of inspiring.
Speed hails from Fort Worth, Texas, where he attended North Crowley High School. As a multi-talented and versatile athlete, he played as both a quarterback and wide receiver for the Panthers football team. This display of innate talent in his high school years saw him named first-team All-District after an impressive series of feats: passing for 3,000 yards, rushing for 350 yards, and catching 30 passes spanning 400 yards with two touchdowns.
Rivals.com recognized Speed’s exceptional football skills as they ranked him a two-star recruit. He was also lauded by Dave Campbell’s Texas Football, which placed him among the top 30 high school football recruits in Texas. His talents caught the attention of college scouts, and he received scholarship offers from the likes of Oklahoma State, Colorado, and Colorado State.
Despite the illustrious offers, Speed remained sensitive to the personal hardships he was experiencing. Following his stepbrother’s cancer diagnosis, he made the considered decision to play college football at NCAA Division II Tarleton State University in his home state of Texas.
At Tarleton State, Speed’s career saw various transformations. Originally starting as a quarterback, he later switched to a wide receiver role in his freshman year and finally moved to linebacker after his sophomore year. Unfortunately, his journey in college wasn’t untouched by hardship either. Battling with injuries, he had to redshirt twice and miss entire seasons.
However, adversity only sharpened Speed’s mettle. Performing beyond his health challenges, he made an impressive comeback in his first season at linebacker. He claimed third place on the team with 68 tackles, including 13 for loss, with six sacks and a momentous Division II-high five forced fumbles. This commendable achievement earned him second-team All-Lone Star Conference (LSC) status.
Speed’s tenacity led him through injuries and legal adversities. In his senior year, he recorded a career-high 106 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss, and 5 sacks. He was once again named second-team All-LSC. He finished his collegiate career posting an impressive score of 231 tackles, 36 losses, 11.5 sacks, and eight forced fumbles.
After an illustrious college career, in 2019, Speed was drafted into the NFL by the Indianapolis Colts in the fifth round, as the 164th overall pick. Despite a less than stellar 40-yard dash, Speed signed a rookie contract with the Colts on May 3, 2019, and had his NFL debut on September 15, 2019, in a victory against the Tennessee Titans.
Speed’s NFL career continued to flourish as he left his mark during his rookie season with seven total tackles across 12 games. His performance in the 2021 season made him a star player when he returned a blocked punt 12 yards for a touchdown in a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, earning him AFC Special Teams Player of the Week.
Maintaining stellar performance in his professional career, Speed had another scoring on a blocked punt against the New England Patriots in 2021. He continued this trajectory, finishing 2023 with 16 games, 11 starts, second on the team with 102 tackles, one sack, four passes defensed, and three forced fumbles.
On March 15, 2023, Speed extended his contract with the Colts, signing on for another two years in an $8 million deal, thereby seemingly securing his professional future in a game he loves and excels at. His journey, marked by exceptional athleticism and tenacity, paints Speed as a unique NFL talent, constantly evolving and achieving new heights.
