PFF Ranks Colts as Having NFL’s 16th Best Offensive Line

According to Pro Football Focus, the Indianapolis Colts have the 16th best offensive line in football, ranking them as essentially a middle-of-the-pack unit:

"16. Indianapolis ColtsProjected starters: LT Anthony Castonzo, LG Jack Mewhort, C Ryan Kelly, RG Hugh Thornton, RT Joe ReitzRoster depth: Denzelle Good, Jonotthan Harrison, Le’Raven ClarkKey stat: Jack Mewhort was one of just three guards with 500 or more pass blocks and no sacks allowed last season.While the Indianapolis O-line has received a bad reputation in recent years, there is reason to be optimistic about it going forward. Mewhort’s move to guard was a big success, and Castonzo has been an above-average left tackle. Joe Reitz has generally played well, and Denzelle Good could push for a starting job after playing well on a small sample size as a rookie. Hugh Thornton’s poor play holds the line back some, and typically centers will grade poorly as rookies—even if they become great later in their careers."

Obviously, 1st round center Ryan Kelly is the big offseason acquisition for the Colts, and his arrival could go a long way toward shoring up the interior of the team’s offensive line.

Specifically, the center position has been a turnstile for the Colts, as the team has shuffled through the likes of Samson Satele, Mike McGlynn, A.Q. Shipley, Khaled Holmes, and Jonotthan Harrison since Andrew Luck‘s arrival in 2012.

Touted as “the next big thing” at center, hopefully Kelly can help stabilize the team’s offensive line and become an anchor for the next decade.

Of course, Pro Football Focus has frequently graded out the left side of the Colts offensive line favorably with Anthony Castonzo at left tackle and Jack Mewhort at left guard respectively.

Last season, Pro Football Focus gave Castonzo a +79.4 grade overall, which made him the 20th highest rated offensive tackle, while Mewhort received a +85.6 grade overall for 9th at the guard position.

However, in Mewhort’s case, I’d argue that Mewhort never actually “moved to guard” because he was always a guard from the get-go, having started largely his entire rookie season at the left guard position.

It was only because of departed Gosder Cherilus‘ uncertain future that the Colts tried to convert Mewhort to their starting right tackle in the first place, but he turned out to be much more effective and comfortable at his old position–eventually switching back.

Nevertheless, the Colts are solid from the left side of their offensive line to center.

However, it’s the two right spots of the offensive line where questions remain–particularly at the starting right guard position.

Between veteran Joe Reitz–who made 14 starts last season and promising 2nd-year pro Denzelle Good, the Colts appear to be in pretty good shape at their starting right tackle position. Reitz held down the position admirably, while in his 4 starts, Good demonstrated flashes of potential that could lead to him eventually becoming the long-term answer at the position.

It’s at right guard where there appears to be no clear frontrunner. Last year’s starting center Jonotthan Harrison has switched from center, while Hugh Thornton has trimmed down and is fighting to keep his starting job.

However, it’s also entirely possible that Good could switch to right guard if he loses out to Reitz (or vice versa) at right tackle or even rookie 3rd round pick Le’Raven Clark could ultimately factor into the competition.

The good news is that with Kelly’s arrival, as well as additional offensive line depth from the NFL Draft, the Colts have much more talent and flexibility with their offensive line than in years past. The team has a number of players who can play all over the offensive line, which makes for greater depth and competition overall.

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As a result, this ranking seems fair, but it wouldn’t surprise me if the Colts became even one of the better offensive lines in football next season. One can’t underestimate the impact of new offensive line coach Joe Philbin, as well as the infusion of youthful talent along this year’s unit–particularly as it relates to Ryan Kelly.