Could the Colts make a change at Right Guard?

Undrafted free agent Guard Dalton Tucker has manned the Right Guard spot since starter Will Fries went out in Week 5. With 3 career worst performances in the last 3 weeks, could it be time to make a change up front.

The Colts most recent Offensive line performance was abysmal. Point blank, the unit sucked.

Injuries have certainly lessened the line’s effectiveness over the last few weeks, with:

• Star Left Tackle Bernhard Raimann (Top 10 graded Tackle) being filled admirably in by 3rd round rookie Matt Goncalves (Top 40 out of 82 Tackles)
• Pro Bowl Center Ryan Kelly (8th in Pass Pro Grade) being filled pretty well by 4th round rookie Tanor Bortolini (19th out of 41 Centers in Pass Pro Grade)
• Starting Right Guard Will Fries went out for the rest of the season after having a big breakout to start the year (4th Graded Guard) and was filled in by undrafted free agent Dalton Tucker (70th out of 82 Guards)

Goncalves and Bortolini have filled in admirably as rookies, playing like average NFL starters (which is no easy feat for rookie linemen). While the Quenton Nelson is also coming off of a career worst game and should be held to a higher standard, he is still performing as a whole as a top 10 Guard and has had a long established history of dominant play. Nelson won’t be leaving the starting lineup, but should be held accountable in positional meetings this week to step back up.

Meanwhile Dalton Tucker is squarely on the hot seat. Over the last 3 weeks he ranks among Guards:

• Dead last in Pass Protection Grade: 26.7
• Dead last in Pass Protection Efficiency: 92.6
• Allowed the most Pressures: 13
• Allowed the 2nd most Sacks: 2
• 4th worst in Blocking Grade: 44.4
• 12th worst in Run Blocking Grade: 51.3

The Colts have several options to potentially replace the struggling rookie guard in the lineup:

An Old Face Returns

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The Colts starting Right Guard of 2018-2021 has returned to the Colts! Mark Glowinski has 4 years of experience blocking in between both Ryan Kelly when he returns (possibly as soon as Week 15 after the Bye) and Branden Smith. While he has experienced 2 slightly down years since leaving the Colts in 2022-2023 and has not taken a single snap in 2024, the 32 year old certainly has the prior experience to ensure there won’t be chemistry issues between his old teammates beside him.

Glowinski might not have experience with Offensive Line Coach Tony Sporano Jr. and Head Coach Shane Steichen’s blocking scheme, but the veteran could once again stabilize the Colts Right Guard job albeit in the short term. A recent signing to the practice squad, we will see if he gets called up to active duty, let alone starting, this week.

The Other Rookies Get To Show Off Their Versatility

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Both Goncalves and Bortolini are filling in for injured Colts starters at Left Tackle and Center respectively. After doing an admirable job, it would be a shame to let their young talents not get further reps along the line once the starters return while the Colts have a clear need to fill in their lineup.

It is unclear when starting Left Tackle Bernhard Raimann will return to the active lineup, but it could be as soon as this week vs the Patriots. Goncalves might not have any prior collegiate experience at Guard, it was speculated pre-draft that his best spot in the pros would be there due to his shorter arm length for a Tackle being less of an issue inside. While Goncalves has shown solid play at either Tackle spot as a swing tackle, perhaps giving him a shot at Right Guard to see if that is the best spot is worthwhile to test the Colts 2024 3rd round pick’s versatility as a potential long term Right Guard (in case starter Will Fries opts for free agency or is unable to return to pre-injury form).

Meanwhile Bortolini has collegiate experience at Guard, starting an entire season there well in 2022. The backup Center certainly has the necessary athleticism to start there, and has yet to allow a sack in the NFL so far. However Ryan Kelly can’t come off of IR until after the Bye, So Danny Pinter would need to step into the starting Center job for the Pats game. Bortolini is in the concussion protocol, which could make his jeopardize his ability for the next game anyways.