2025 Indianapolis Colts Place Preview: Offensive Line

Indianapolis, IN — The Indianapolis Colts enter the 2025-26 season with a brand new look beginning offensive line. The massive three of Quenton Nelson, Bernhard Raimann, and Braden Smith present some much-needed continuity whereas projected first-time starters on the inside in Tanor Bortolini and Matt Goncalves are slated to finish the unit.

That is the primary time within the Chris Ballard period that the Indianapolis Colts gained’t have longtime middle Ryan Kelly manning the cost. Though it’s anticipated that the offensive line’s play takes a step again from latest years, Colts OL Coach Tony Sparano Jr. and Co. have expressed nice religion within the sophomore pair to take the collective mantle on the inside.

Whereas Bortolini and Goncalves are projected as the subsequent starters at middle and proper guard, coaching camp and preseason would be the official determinants of whether or not or not this involves be true.

Projected Starters

Bernhard Raimann, Quenton Nelson, Tanor Bortolini, Matt Goncalves, Braden Smith

Quenton Nelson’s title alone is sufficient of an introduction. A five-time All-Professional and a Professional Bowler each season of his profession, Nelson stays probably the most worthwhile offensive linemen within the league. Not solely that, however no guard within the NFL means as a lot to its workforce as Quenton Nelson does to the Indianapolis Colts. The Colts’ offense goes so far as Nelson will take them, which has confirmed to be impressively far at instances, given the general roster dysfunction of latest years.

The Colts’ beginning bookend tackles are each proficient, but are on completely different paths at this stage of their respective careers. Bernhard Raimann continues to be an ascending participant at left deal with, whereas longtime Colt Braden Smith has seemingly entered a descent of kinds. Smith has not performed a full season since 2022, although his 5 missed video games in 2024 have been because of a . Regardless, his availability stays to be seen, and his general play has since dipped lately. Alternatively, Bernhard Raimann has continued his ascent as one of many higher blindside protectors within the NFL. Going into the final yr of his rookie contract, an extension wants to come back sooner slightly than later.

Dropping the inside duo of latest years in Ryan Kelly and Will Fries is definitely an enormous loss, particularly for continuity’s sake. Nonetheless, the Colts had deliberate for this succession plan upfront. Drafting each within the 2024 NFL Draft, the Colts considered Tanor Bortolini (C) and Matt Goncalves (RG) as the subsequent males up because of Kelly and Fries having one yr left on their earlier contracts. After a handful of spot begins as rookies, Tony Sparano Jr. and Co. think about these two taking the torch as first-time starters in simply their second season.

Backups/Rotational

Jalen Travis, Blake Freeland, Danny Pinter, Dalton Tucker

Jalen Travis is a 4th-round choose within the 2025 NFL Draft who’s slated for a battle with Blake Freeland for the workforce’s swing deal with function. Travis is a extremely regarded cross protector out of school who makes use of his fast toes and excessive soccer IQ to maximise his efforts, whereas Freeland’s development by means of two seasons up to now has been up and down. Freeland misplaced his function to then-rookie deal with Matt Goncalves in 2024 however is seeking to rebound in yr three by reclaiming his spot on the depth chart.

Inside offensive linemen Danny Pinter and Dalton Tucker supply stable flooring as backups heading into coaching camp. Tucker shone shiny throughout his first preseason as an undrafted free agent rookie in 2024, and even flashed throughout spot play early within the common season as soon as Will Fries went down with harm, however his play grew inconsistent down the stretch and was ultimatley exchange by a late add to the roster by means of former Colts’ starter in Mark Glowinski. Pinter enters the season because the workforce’s de facto backup middle and has confirmed to be succesful throughout his numerous stints within the league up to now.

Fringe Energetic Roster/Observe Squad

Josh Sills, Wesley French, Luke Tenuta, Jack Wilson, Marshall Foerner, Mose Vavao

Inside offensive linemen Josh Sills and Wesley French have been mainstay members of the Colts’ apply squad lately. Sills has showcased his versatility throughout the offensive line, whereas French has basically been relegated to the workforce’s apply squad middle.

Jack Wilson is an fascinating case examine given that he’s the tallest participant within the NFL. Standing at 6’11” tall and making DeForest Buckner look human in a locker room, Wilson’s unmatched dimension is sufficient to wager on his potential. Similar goes for Luke Tenuta, who, not fairly as giant as Wilson, is a mammoth of a person at 6’9”, and gives upside as a possible apply squad deal with.

Marshall Foerner and Mose Vavao are post-draft provides that supply a surplus of expertise on the collegiate degree. Foerner is an offensive deal with who had 42 profession begins on the D2 degree (Minnesota State), whereas Vavao is a top-tier athlete with huge expertise throughout the inside, logging 54 begins at middle and each guard spots at Fresno State.