The Indianapolis Colts’ offensive line unit is going to have to contend with a number of the NFL’s top pass rushers in 2025.
The Indianapolis Colts’ offensive line unit is going to have to contend with a number of the game’s top pass rushers this upcoming season.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler recently constructed his ranking of the top 10 defensive ends in 2025 and the top 10 defensive tackles based on insights from NFL executives, coaches, and scouts.
Of the 10 defensive ends in these rankings, the Colts have to face six of them. Among the top 10 defensive tackles, the Colts will take on four of them.
DE TJ Watt, PittsburghDE Maxx Crosby, Las VegasDE Nick Bosa, San FranciscoDE Will Anderson, Houston (Twice)DE Danielle Hunter, Houston (Twice)DE Jared Verse, LA RamsDT Chris Jones, Kansas CityDT Jeffery Simmons, Tennessee (Twice)DT Leonard Williams, SeattleDT Cameron Heyward, Pittsburgh
For both position groups, outside of the top 10 in Fowler’s rankings, there were honorable mentions and those who received votes. Out of those 11 defensive ends, the Colts will face six of them, along with four of the 10 additional tackles that were mentioned.
DE Nik Bonitto, DenverDE George Karlaftis, Kansas CityDE Josh Hines-Allen, Jacksonville (Twice)DE Travon Walker, Jacksonville (Twice)DE Chop Robinson, MiamiDE Khalil Mack, LA ChargersDT Christian Wilkins, Las VegasDT Zach Allen, DenverDT Zach Sieler, MiamiDT Kobie Turner, LA Rams
Overall, that is a hefty number of the game’s top pass rushers that this Colts’ offensive line unit will have to deal with.
Despite changes up front, with Ryan Kelly and Will Fries heading to Minnesota in free agency, Pro Football Focus still ranked the Colts’ offensive line unit very highly heading into the 2025 season. But with that said, presumably, two relatively inexperienced players in Tanor Bortolini and Matt Goncalves will be starting at center and right guard.
Bortolini fared well at center when called upon last season, ranking well individually among centers by PFF’s metrics over five starts. And while Goncalves has minimal in-game experience at guard in his college or NFL career, he did practice there throughout last season, and the growth that the Colts saw from him gives them the confidence that he can make this position change.
“I look at his skill set and the skill set that he has,” OL coach Tony Sparano said, via James Boyd of The Athletic. “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.”
However, any time there is inexperience, there will be unknowns and questions until we see otherwise.
Naturally, all eyes will be on Daniel Jones, Anthony Richardson, and who wins the quarterback competition. But consistent success for the Colts begins up front with the offensive line providing a run game to lean on and time in the pocket. Without those elements, I’m not sure it matters who is under center.