The Indianapolis Colts had some tough changes to make this past offseason. The quarterback position was a huge unknown, even with third-year first-round quarterback Anthony Richardson returning. The offensive line was also going to be missing two key players.
In free agency, Indy lost its long-term starting center, Ryan Kelly, and right guard, Will Fries, and replaced them with players already on the roster: center Tanor Bortolini and guard Matt Goncalves. Was that going to be the answer to helping keep new QB1 Daniel Jones clean?
Actually, yes. Not only that, but running back Jonathan Taylor would have the holes to run through to win multiple AFC Offensive Player of the Week awards before the first month was done. General manager Chris Ballard's huge game along the offensive line was seemingly paying off in a big way.
The Indianapolis Colts' offensive line is succeeding at an exceedingly high level
Through five games, Bortolini graded seventh-best among all centers in the NFL, according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required), and had allowed 10 total pressures but no sacks. Unfortunately, Ryan Kelly, the player he replaced, suffered a concussion early in the season for the Minnesota Vikings and is now on injured reserve.
Goncalves was graded 23rd among all guards, but has been elite in pass protection. He has allowed just two pressures, and none in his last two games. He replaced Will Fries at right guard (Fries also signed with the Vikings in free agency), but Fries has given up 10 pressures and been penalized three times.
He is also graded just 53rd among all guards by PFF.
Moreover, the entire Indianapolis Colts offensive line was succeeding at an extremely high level. PFF has the unit as the second-best in the league through five games, an improvement of three spots over last year's unit.
Sure, there is a lot of season left to play, and the Colts' O-line does need to stay healthy, but so far, another Ballard gamble this offseason has paid off extremely well early in the regular season. Couple the offensive line with the great play of Daniel Jones, and no wonder Indy's offense is succeeding.
In fact, the group has covered up some of the weaknesses of the defense, and except for two critical errors by wide receiver Adonai Mitchell in Week 4, the Colts could be 5-0. Indianapolis is looking like a playoff team, and the offensive line is literally leading the way.