Not surprisingly, Pro Football Focus has the Indianapolis Colts offensive line unit ranked among the best heading into the 2024 season.
On PFF’s list, the Colts’ offensive line comes in at No. 3, behind only the Detroit Lions at No. 1 and the Philadelphia Eagles at No. 2. Rounding out the top five are the Cleveland Browns and New York Jets.
Last season, under first-year offensive line coach Tony Sparano and new head coach Shane Steichen, the Colts’ offensive line unit looked like its old self after a down 2022 season.
As a unit, the Colts ranked tied for fifth in PFF’s pass-blocking efficiency metric. They also ranked 10th in yards per rush with 4.4 and allowed the ninth-lowest pressure rate in football.
“I think after the ’22 season, Tony (Sparano) came in, saw that room for what it was, and it was still a lot of great players but not a lot of confidence,” said center Ryan Kelly during minicamp, “and I think there’s a lot of multitude of reasons for that. So when he came in, the first day that we came in last year around this time, it was not even about football Xs and Os, it was about real personal stuff.
“Guys get into that because if you can’t build a relationship in there, then how can you build it out there? And I think that was a good part for us to trust Tony to trust us. And also, he just empowered us to go play. I think that starts with Shane, starts with Tony, starts with Jim Bob. Is to just go out there and play, and just trust our technique, trust that we’re great players and play together.”
Even after last season’s performance, the opportunity for this unit to improve in 2024 certainly exists. This will be the third season where Bernhard Raimann and Will Fries will see significant playing time, and while the Year 2 leap is what is often discussed, developmental jumps still occur in Year 3.
Braden Smith had successful offseason knee surgery that has him in a “better spot” and will hopefully allow him to stay on the field in 2024.
In 10 games last season, Smith ranked sixth in pass-blocking efficiency among all tackles, allowing no sacks, and when he was on the field, the Colts averaged 4.6 yards per rush versus 3.9 yards per carry without him.
There is also something to be said for the continuity that the Colts will have up front, with all five starters from last season returning. This allows for improved communication and chemistry between the linemen and also the added comfortability of being in Steichen’s system for a second year.
“That’s just huge,” said Raiman of playing next to Nelson. “The communication on the field, for me personally it’s huge because I’m right next to him, but his leadership as a whole for the entire offensive line, and just the consistency.
“I know where he’s going to be in pass protection, I know how he’s going to step in the run game. I know how I have to fit in double-teams with him to move the defensive tackle, and that just makes my game that much easier.”
Understandably so, the attention this offseason was on adding playmaking around Anthony Richardson, but as GM Chris Ballard said prior to the draft, building around a young quarterback starts in the trenches with blocking and protecting.
Having a strong run game to lean on will keep Richardson and the offense out of predictable passing situations and help open up the playbook for Steichen. Consistent time in the pocket, meanwhile, is vital to any quarterback’s success.
“Like I said, protect,” said Ballard. “Block and protect. Just look through the league, just look through the playoff teams and they all can block and protect. I think that’s critical. So that’s one.
“I remember Andrew (Luck) used to tell me all the time, ‘Chris, let’s get me protected. Give me guys who can catch it and get to the right spot, and I’ll make the rest work.’ Most of the good ones that’s how they roll. Do you want the superstar out there? Absolutely. But protection, to me, is always first and foremost.”
