Over the coming weeks we will be taking a position-by-position look at the Indianapolis Colts roster heading into the offseason, with our lens more so on what’s ahead and what’s needed at each position group.
Up next is the interior offensive line, but if you missed any of our other previews, follow the links below.
Quarterback
Running back
Wide receiver
Tight end
Interior offensive line overview
The offensive line unit as a whole was supposed to be a strength for the Colts in 2024 with the same starting five from the previous season returning. However, injuries derailed those plans.
Along the interior offensive line specifically, Ryan Kelly would miss time with a neck injury and then was placed on injured reserve with a knee injury. Right guard Will Fries’ season ended in Week 5 due to a tibia injury.
Overall, the offensive line play did improve in those final weeks as the Colts got more healthy, which included a 200-plus yard performance by Jonathan Taylor against Tennessee.
However, there was a stretch from Weeks 9-12–so a month–where outside of a 58 yard run by Taylor against Buffalo, he averaged just 2.9 yards per carry. Anthony Richardson was also among the most pressured quarterbacks in football from Weeks 11-16.
The offensive line woes certainly wasn’t the only thing the Colts’ offense had to navigate last season, but an inconsistent running game for stretches along with steady pressure on a young quarterback is going to make things more difficult.
Positional need this offseason
The answer to this question is all dependent upon whether or not free agent Will Fries returns.
If Fries is back the Colts still need to bolster the depth here with Kelly likely not returning, along with Danny Pinter and Mark Glowinski also free agents. But with Fries, Quenton Nelson, and Tanor Bortolini, they have their starters on the roster.
However, if Fries ends up elsewhere, and he is expected to get a hefty pay-day, then the interior offensive line becomes a huge need. The only option on the roster at the moment to fill that role if Fries doesn’t return is Dalton Tucker, who was benched last season.
“I do think at the end of the year, the offensive line ended up playing better,” Chris Ballard said of the offensive line. “We had some young guys that had to play…We need to make sure we’ve got the right talent level. I’m pleased with how these young guys came along, but we gotta make sure we got enough depth there.”
Who are the top free agent options?
Again, this will be a position that the Colts have to address, but to what extent depends on if Fries is back.
With help from Over the Cap, here are the top available free agent options at the position this offseason:
Greg Van Roten
Brandon Scherff
Trey Smith
Robert Jones
Kevin Zeitler
Matt Pryor
Daniel Brunskill
Laken Tomlinson
Ben Bredeson
AaronBanks
Teven Jenkins
Will Fries
Cody Ford
What about the NFL draft?
Although likely not a first round pick for the Colts–although one recent mock draft had Indianapolis addressing this need early on–who are some of the best available options along the interior offensive line?
Here are the best prospects, according to PFF’s big board:
Tyler Booker, G, Alabama
Grey Zabel, G/C, North Dakota State
Tate Ratledge, G, Georgia
Jared Wilson, C, Georgia
Willie Lampkin, G, North Carolina
Luke Kandra, G, Cincinnati
Seth McLaughlin, C, Ohio State
Connor Colby, G, Iowa
Tyler Cooper, G, Minnesota
Jonah Monheim, C, USC