What “bold” moves do the Indianapolis Colts potentially have up their sleeves this offseason?
With there being a number of different positions that the Colts could justify adding to this offseason as GM Chris Ballard looks to infuse competition throughout the roster, there are likely a few different directions they could go when it comes to being bold.
Aaron Schatz of ESPN recently put together his bold projections for a number of NFL teams this offseason, including the Colts.
So, when it comes to free agency or the draft, what move(s) does Schatz believe Ballard and the Colts could make?
Loading up on the interior offensive line in the draft.
“The Colts need to improve pass protection for quarterback Anthony Richardson while keeping the blocking strong for running back Jonathan Taylor. (They ranked fourth with a 73.9% run block win rate in 2024),” wrote Schatz.
The offensive line play for the Colts did improve towards the end of the season in 2024, not coincidentally after they got healthy. But there were stretches of inconsistent play from a unit that was supposed to be a strength of this team.
For example, from Weeks 9-12–so a month long stretch–Jonathan Taylor averaged just 2.9 yards per carry during that span if we subtract his one run against Buffalo of 58 yards.
Then, from Weeks 11 through 16, Anthony Richardson was among the most pressured quarterbacks in the NFL, according to PFF’s tracking data.
“I do think at the end of the year, the offensive line ended up playing better,” Ballard said after the season. “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.”
As we’ve discussed before, the degree to which the Colts have to address the offensive line this offseason is all dependent upon whether or not Will Fries returns.
If he does, then even if Braden Smith is released and Ryan Kelly ends up elsewhere, the Colts likely have their starting five in place for the 2025 season with Tanor Bortolini taking over at center and Matt Goncalves at right tackle.
However, depth will very much be a need with Blake Freeland the only backup tackle option with experience, along with Danny Pinter and Mark Glowinski hitting free agency as well.
But on the flip side, if Fries were to end up elsewhere, then offensive line, specifically right guard, vaults to a huge priority for the Colts. The only options on the roster to start at the moment are Josh Sills, Dalton Tucker, and Atonio Mafi.
“The best way to do this (improve the offensive line) might be to flood the zone,” added Schatz. “Interior offensive linemen are rarely worth taking in the first round, especially where the Colts are drafting at No. 14. But the Colts could draft interior linemen on Days 2 and 3 to build up depth at the position. Use three picks on interior linemen, combined with a free agent signing or two.”
While all eyes will be on Richardson and his growth in Year 3, putting him in a position to be successful starts with having a really good offensive line to lean on.