Helping Colts Rookie QB: How Bernhard Raimann Can Improve in 2023
The Indianapolis Colts walked into the 2022 season with much momentum from their offensive line. Despite a brutal Week 18 loss to miss the playoffs (finishing 9-8), the line wasn’t a problem for the team.
Go to 2022, and the Colts weren’t even close to that production for protection. Whether ground or air, it was all a mess.
This series will detail each of the starters from left to right. They’ll individually get pieces highlighting what went well and what to improve on for 2023, with Indianapolis likely getting a rookie quarterback.
There will also be four stats to be displayed for the players; sacks allowed, QB hits, hurries, and total penalties. Without further ado, let’s start with one of the youngest on the line at left tackle, Bernhard Raimann.
The Numbers
- Games: 13
- Sacks Allowed: 7
- QB Hits: 4
- QB Hurries: 16
- Total Penalties: 9
Raimann was drafted out of Central Michigan University in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft. He came into the position with limited experience, formerly playing tight end.
However, even with a disastrous first game against the Denver Broncos in Week 5, Raimann improved game after game. It’s worth mentioning that most of his penalties for 13 total games came in his first outing against the aforementioned Broncos.
With how much he began to refine the mistakes as the season went along, it’s encouraging that the penalties didn’t continue to pile up.
What Went Well
For a player with such a small sample size in his career, Raimann often shined protecting quarterbacks Matt Ryan, Sam Ehlinger, and Nick Foles’ blind side. He also dealt with a lot of drama and unfortunate circumstances that were swirling around him.
These included coaching changes, poor offensive performances, stiff defensive competition, and constant QB rotations. Despite these tornadoes that could cripple the rookie year for anyone, Raimann was one of the most reliable blockers in the latter half of 2022.
Playing the fourth-most snaps on the team (709), he had the third-lowest QB hits (4) and tied for the third-lowest on the team for hurries (16 w/ Braden Smith), per Pro Football Focus.
The only reason he and Smith weren’t tied for the lead in hurries is that Dennis Kelly (9) and Danny Pinter (3) are in front. But they only played 240 (Kelly), and 292 (Pinter) snaps.
What to Improve
With Raimann, it comes down to more reps and experience. He has only played left tackle for three years (Central Michigan 2020-2021; Colts 2022). Before that, he was pass-catching and handled on-off blocking duties only.
What’s positive is that he was as efficient as anyone on the Colts, even without deep tackle knowledge. But, it should not be taken for granted with someone still so raw.
The left tackle can’t be assumed, so the solution is simple. Bring in competition.
With new head coach Shane Steichen’s ties to the Philadelphia Eagles (former offensive coordinator), he could easily campaign for a free agent signing. Someone who sticks out is left tackle Andre Dillard.
Dillard sat out in 2020 but has been with the Eagles since 2019, only starting a total of nine games out of 43 on his resume, he is looking to show he can start on the left side.
Mix this urge to be a day one starter with Raimann’s areas to improve, and it’s a concoction to help one of them excel. Likely, it will be Raimann, but it needs to be cemented by having someone continuously push him. That's something the Colts didn’t have with former tackle Matt Pryor, leading to a disastrous end at that position.
2023 will be a big year for Raimann to prove he’s the star showing out at the end of last year for Indianapolis. Steichen knows what Raimann could become and is still young in his blocking techniques and habits.
To succeed with a rookie signal-caller, the back end of the pass protection has to be solid. Is Raimann the leader and future of that area? Bring in a healthy and competitive atmosphere, and you’ll find out.
