Colts get Generous OL Ranking from PFF

The Indianapolis Colts are getting the benefit of the doubt in the latest offensive line rankings from Pro Football Focus.

The Indianapolis Colts struggled on offense last season, and their high-priced offensive line was a big reason why.

The Colts had the highest-paid unit in all of the NFL last year, but Pro Football Focus (PFF) ranked them the 18th-best unit by season's end.

PFF is counting on last year's loss of form being an aberration and expects the Colts' offensive line to bounce back from last year's performance.

They've moved the Colts up eight spots from 18 to 10 without a change in personnel on their preseason rankings. 

The Colts' line was a mess last season but should have been much better. This ranking assumes a significant bounce back to their previous baseline of play. Quenton Nelson, one the best lineman in all of football, allowed four sacks in his first four years in the league before letting up five in 2022, his worst year as a pro. -- Sam Monson, PFF

While Nelson and Ryan Kelly had poor seasons last year, rookie left tackle Bernhard Raimann was a bright spot for the team. He and Braden Smith were the two-highest graded offensive players for the Colts.

New head coach Shane Steichen arrives from the Philadelphia Eagles having taken his team to the Super Bowl with the league's third-best offense. 

Eagles' quarterback Jalen Hurts rushed for 760 yards and 13 touchdowns last year. The Colts hope they drafted a bigger, stronger and faster version of Hurts in Anthony Richardson in April. 

The running game should return to being the dominant feature of the Colts offensive attack. As the offensive line returns to dictating the tempo against defenses, the Colts' offense should thrive.

PFF is banking on the scheme and coordination lifting the play of a clearly talented group with their top-10 ranking.

More importantly, the Colts are counting on it as well.