For most of the Shane Steichen era, the Indianapolis Colts have taken pride in their offensive line. Staying strong in the trenches has helped them keep the chains in motion, even with a revolving door at quarterback.
Of course, superstar guard Quenton Nelson gets most of the credit, and rightfully so, but he's not alone. Even with Braden Smith leaving for the Houston Texans, the Colts should like where they stand in terms of offensive line play.
However, that doesn't mean they can't welcome someone else to the mix. Over the past week or so, Penn State's Nolan Rucci has made some buzz as someone who could potentially crack the 53-man roster with a strong camp.
The Indianapolis Colts might land UDFA gold with Nolan Rucci
Rucci's collegiate journey started at Wisconsin, though he could barely take the field there. Transferring to play for the Nitanny Lions helped him gain some much-deserved exposure, though it wasn't enough to get drafted.
Rucci had a strong final season at Penn State. According to Pro Football Focus (subscription required), he gave up just 16 total pressures, including one quarterback hit and one sack. He was called for just one penalty in 611 snaps played, earning a 75.3 grade, the 43rd highest among 632 tackles. All in all, he only allowed two sacks in nearly 600 snaps at Penn State.
The Colts already have a strong unit. Jalen Travis will replace Smith at right guard, with Bernhard Raimann handling blind-side protection duties and Tanor Bortolini anchoring things down in the middle.
However, with a 6-foot-8, 305-pound frame, he's more than worth considering as a potential option. He's much more fluid than the average guy his size, played for a blue-chip program, and has gotten better with every year. He may not be ready to make an impact right away, but he's an intriguing developmental option at worst.
He must bulk up a bit to handle the wear and tear of the pros, and he can still grow into his sturdy frame. His run-blocking was solid, especially when climbing to the second level, and that should always come in handy with someone like Jonathan Taylor also on the team.
As things stand now, he has to beat the likes of Luke Tenuta, Blake Freeland, and Bayron Matos for one of the final spots on the 53-man roster. That, of course, will be easier said than done, but the physical tools are there.
For years, this organization neglected the offensive line, and it cost them a generational quarterback. Losing Andrew Luck was a massive blow, and they still haven't fully recovered. However, if there's one good thing that came out of the disgrace, it is that this team has finally emphasized protecting the quarterback for a change.
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