Following a surprisingly successful but simultaneously disappointing end to the 2023 season for the Indianapolis Colts, it’s time to take a look back at the top grades from the campaign that was.
Courtesy of Pro Football Focus, the Colts’ highest overall grade on either side of the ball belonged to right tackle Braden Smith, who posted an offensive grade of 83.3. On defense, edge rusher Samson Ebukam led the unit with an overall grade of 84.4. This is using 170 snaps played as the minimum requirement.
The worst grade on offense was owned by offensive tackle Blake Freeland, who finished his rookie season with a 44.2 grade. Defensive tackle Eric Johnson II finished the season with a 30.5 overall grade, the lowest of any player meeting the 170-snap threshold.
Now, a look at the best and worst overall PFF grades for the Colts in 2023:
Top-5 overall grades: Offense (min. 170 snaps)
RT Braden Smith 83.3
LT Bernhard Raimann 82.3
WR Michael Pittman Jr. 77.7
C Ryan Kelly 77.2
RB Jonathan Taylor 74.9
Top-5 overall grade: Defense (min. 170 snaps)
DE Samson Ebukam 84.4
DT DeForest Buckner 81.8
CB Kenny Moore II 77.4
DT Grover Stewart 76.2
DE Kwity Paye 74.3
Bottom-5 overall grade: Offense (min. 170 snaps)
OT Blake Freeland 44.2
C Wesley French 48.4
QB Anthony Richardson 52.2
TE Kylen Granson 56.8
WR Alec Pierce 58.1
Bottom-5 overall grade: Defense (min. 170 snaps)
DT Eric Johnson II 30.5
DT Taven Bryan 51.3
CB Darrell Baker Jr. 51.8
DE Dayo Odeyingbo 56.9
CB Jaylon Jones 58.1
Pass Blocking (min. 20 snaps)
LT Bernhard Raimann 80.6
G Quenton Nelson 80.3
TE Andrew Ogletree 80.1
C Ryan Kelly 78.3
RT Braden Smith 71.0
RG Will Fries 65.4
RB Zack Moss 60.4
RB Jonathan Taylor 57.1
TE Mo Alie-Cox 56.7
C Wesley French 56.7
RT Blake Freeland 42.6
Run Blocking (min. 20 snaps)
RT Braden Smith 90.1
C Ryan Kelly 75.2
LT Bernhard Raimann 74.6
WR D.J. Montgomery 70.7
TE Will Mallory 67.5
WR Alec Pierce 66.1
LG Quenton Nelson 63.4
TE Andrew Ogletree 63.1
TE Mo Alie-Cox 61.0
G Josh Sills 59.9
RG Will Fries 59.7
WR Isaiah McKenzie 59.4
RB Zack Moss 57.4
WR Michael Pittman Jr. 53.3
WR Josh Downs 51.3
TE Kylen Granson 48.2
OT Blake Freeland 47.6
C Wesley French 47.5
Pass Rush (min. 50 pass-rush snaps)
DT DeForest Buckner 87.1
DE Tyquan Lewis 76.6
DE Samson Ebukam 72.6
DE Jacob Martin 71.5
DT Taven Bryan 68.7
DE Dayo Odeyinbgo68.2
DT Grover Stewart 64.7
DT Adetomiwa Adebawore 62.5
DE Kwity Paye 62.2
DT Eric Johnson II 56.7
Run Defense (min. 50 run defense snaps)
S Nick Cross 81.2
DE Samson Ebukam 80.0
LB E.J. Speed 78.8
DE Kwity Paye 78.1
DT Grover Stewart 77.3
CB Kenny Moore II 71.5
LB Zaire Franklin 66.1
S Ronnie Harrison Jr. 64.1
DT DeForest Buckner 63.8
DE Tyquan Lewis 61.9
S Julian Blackmon 59.2
CB Julius Brents 58.8
CB Jaylon Jones 57.1
DE Jacob Martin 49.7
DE Dayo Odeyingbo 49.1
S Rodney Thomas II 48.1
CB Dallis Flowers 45.0
DT Taven Bryan 43.7
CB Darrell Baker Jr. 43.6
DT Eric Johnson II 29.3
DT Adetomiwa Adebawore 24.1
Coverage grade (min. 40 coverage snaps)
CB Kenny Moore II 79.3
S Julian Blackmon 72.6
CB Dallis Flowers 70.6
LB Segun Olubi 66.9
CB Julius Brents 64.5
S nick Cross 63.2
S Ronnie Harrison Jr. 61.9
S Rodney Thomas II 60.1
CB Chris Lammons 59.0
CB Jaylon Jones 57.3
LB Zaire Franklin 56.4
LB E.J. Speed 56.1
CB Darrell Baker Jr. 53.0
