Pro Football Focus considers the Indianapolis Colts’ offensive line unit their “biggest strength” from the 2024 season. However, this is now a unit that is navigating changes heading into 2025.

“Indianapolis fostered one of the best offensive lines in the league this past season,” wrote PFF. “The Colts’ front-five earned the sixth-best PFF overall grade as a unit (78.1). They were also one of three teams that earned top-10 marks in both PFF pass-blocking and run-blocking grades. The Colts lost center Ryan Kelly and guard Will Fries from that unit, but it still projects as a strong collective.”

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During free agency, center Ryan Kelly and right guard Will Fries would both sign with Minnesota, opening up two starting spots along the interior offensive line for the Colts.

Offensive line coach Tony Sparano Jr. has said that there will be competitions at both spots, with Tanor Bortololini competing with Danny Pinter at center and Matt Goncalves with the other guards on the roster–likely Tucker and Sills–for the right guard job.

But presumably, it will be Bortolini and Goncalves starting come Week 1. Both progressed during their rookies seasons and put together strong performances, but both are also still relatively inexperienced players, not to mention that Goncalves is making a position change.

In eight appearances with five starts last season, Bortolini ranked 15th in PFF’s pass-blocking efficiency metric and was 22nd out of 40 centers in run-blocking grade. Goncalves, meanwhile, played all but one of his snaps at tackle. He also played just 44 snaps at guard during his college career.

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However, part of what gives the Colts’ the confidence that he can make that move inside is his skill set, play style, and he had guard reps in practice last season that he steadily improved upon.

“I look at his skill set and the skill set that he has,” Sparano said. “He’s a big man. He’s got power. He’s got length and he’s really, deceptively very light on his feet. He’s quick. He can get out in space, you saw some of the stuff he did in the run game out in space last year was very good. That about his skill set excited me, plus he’s a really tough physical player. For our guards, that is non-negotiable, they gotta be that way and he is that way.”

Without any outside competition being brought in at these positions, the Colts are banking heavily on the growth and development of Bortolini and Goncalves.

While all eyes will be on Anthony Richardson and Daniel Jones, I’m not sure it matters who the quarterback is if the offensive line play isn’t up to par. Having a strong running game and time in the pocket is a must for any consistent offense.

This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: From Colts’ ‘biggest strength’ in 2024 to navigating changes in 2025