One stat showcases challenges Colts OL faced in 2024
Injuries were an unfortunate part of the 2024 season for the Indianapolis Colts' offensive line and not surprisingly, it impacted the play of that unit at times.
Will Fries missed most of the year, Ryan Kelly had an injured reserve stint, and Bernhard Raimann missed a few games due to injury as well. The Colts were also without Braden Smith at the end of the year due to an undisclosed personal matter.
According to TruMedia, the Colts' most used offensive line combination last season was Bernhard Raimann, Quenten Nelson, Ryan Kelly, Mark Glowinski, and Matt Goncalves. That group played just 187 snaps together the entire year, which was the lowest of any most-used offensive line combo in the NFL.
Continuity is a key factor when it comes to steady offensive line play, and as the numbers illustrate, the Colts did not have that element. That then resulted in some up-and-down play.
From Weeks 9-12, if we take away Jonathan Taylor's one carry of 58 yards against Buffalo, during that four-game, month-long stretch, he averaged just 2.9 yards per carry. In the passing game, Anthony Richardson was among the most pressured quarterbacks in football from Weeks 11-16, according to PFF's metrics.
However, as GM Chris Ballard noted after the season, the play of that group did improve in the final games, which included some monster performances from Jonathan Taylor.
"I do think at the end of the year, the offensive line ended up playing better," Ballard said.
Any sort of consistent success for the Colts offense is going to begin with the offensive line play. Richardson needs time in the pocket and there has to be a strong run-game presence to lean on. Without either of those factors, moving the ball is going to be difficult for this offense.
Where it stands right now, there are some unknowns with the Colts offensive line that is going to be without Will Fries who signed with the Minnesota Vikings. Presumably, Goncalves will move to right guard, but he's been a tackle in his career.
The depth of this unit also has to be improved as well. This includes adding to the interior and finding a more steady swing tackle option off the bench. Heading into the NFL draft, the offensive line needs to be a priority for Ballard.
"We need to make sure we've got the right talent level," Ballard said after the season. "I'm pleased with how these young guys came along, but we gotta make sure we got enough depth there."
This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: One stat showcases challenges Colts OL faced in 2024
Topics
-
Top offensive line prospect falls to Colts in post-free agency mock draft
In a post-free agency mock draft, a top offensive line prospect falls to the Indianapolis Colts.Yahoo Sports - 2d -
Liverpool 2024-25 season: Premier League and cup schedule, results, stats
Arne Slot's first season at Liverpool is already an unqualified success. Now it's a question of whether the Reds can claim multiple trophies in their first season after the exit of Jurgen Klopp.Yahoo Sports - 5d -
Commanders agree to one-year deal with OL Nate Herbig
The Commanders are adding some depth to their offensive line.Yahoo Sports - 5d -
2025 NFL free agency: Chiefs re-signing running back Kareem Hunt to one-year deal, per report
Hunt played in 13 games for Kansas City during the 2024 regular seasonCBS Sports - 5d -
Commanders quarterback earned an unusual bonus for one play in 2024
Washington Commanders QB Jeff Driskel served as the third-string quarterback last season. He played one snap and received a bonus.Yahoo Sports - 3d -
Here's why the 2024-25 Gastonia, Shelby high school basketball season was one for the books
With the high school basketball season now complete in Cleveland, Gaston and Lincoln counties, here are a few reasons why it was one for the history books.Yahoo Sports - 2d -
Colts free agent DT Neville Gallimore's 2025 salary cap hit
What will free-agent defensive tackle Neville Gallimore's salary cap hit be with the Indianapolis Colts during the 2025 NFL season?Yahoo Sports - 4d -
Jones joins Colts, to battle Richardson for QB job
Free agent quarterback Daniel Jones is finalizing a one-year, $14 million contract with the Colts, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter.ESPN - Mar. 11 -
Cowboys gain almost $9 million in cap space Wednesday because they were so bad in 2024
Well, there's a silver lining to almost everything if one looks hard enough. The Cowboys just got extra 2025 cap space for being so bad in 2024.Yahoo Sports - 6d
More from Yahoo Sports
-
Doc Rivers reportedly meets with Lillard, Antetokounmpo to discuss what is holding Bucks back
Milwaukee has gone 2-5 in its last seven and is 0-11 against the teams with the four best records in the NBA.Yahoo Sports - 10m -
Updated depth chart following the Texans' signing of OT Cam Robinson
The Houston Texans have 73 players on the roster after inking a new deal with veteran offensive tackle Cam RobinsonYahoo Sports - 14m -
Commanders rework Deebo Samuel's contract to guarantee $17 million in 2025 salary, AP source says
Deebo Samuel and the Washington Commanders have reworked the wide receiver's contract to guarantee $17 million this season with $3 million in additional incentives, according to a person with ...Yahoo Sports - 14m -
Navy basketball coach Ed DeChellis is retiring after 29 years as a collegiate head coach
DeChellis coached a school-record 426 games at Navy. The Midshipmen reached the championship game of the Patriot League Tournament this year before losing to American.Yahoo Sports - 15m -
Updated lottery standings as Sixers prepare to face Thunder on the road
Here is an updated look at the lottery standings as the Philadelphia 76ers prepare to face the Oklahoma City Thunder on the road.Yahoo Sports - 16m
More in Sports
-
Doc Rivers reportedly meets with Lillard, Antetokounmpo to discuss what is holding Bucks back
Milwaukee has gone 2-5 in its last seven and is 0-11 against the teams with the four best records in the NBA.Yahoo Sports - 10m -
Updated depth chart following the Texans' signing of OT Cam Robinson
The Houston Texans have 73 players on the roster after inking a new deal with veteran offensive tackle Cam RobinsonYahoo Sports - 14m -
Commanders rework Deebo Samuel's contract to guarantee $17 million in 2025 salary, AP source says
Deebo Samuel and the Washington Commanders have reworked the wide receiver's contract to guarantee $17 million this season with $3 million in additional incentives, according to a person with ...Yahoo Sports - 14m -
Navy basketball coach Ed DeChellis is retiring after 29 years as a collegiate head coach
DeChellis coached a school-record 426 games at Navy. The Midshipmen reached the championship game of the Patriot League Tournament this year before losing to American.Yahoo Sports - 15m -
Updated lottery standings as Sixers prepare to face Thunder on the road
Here is an updated look at the lottery standings as the Philadelphia 76ers prepare to face the Oklahoma City Thunder on the road.Yahoo Sports - 16m