Colts rookie offensive guard Tanor Bortolini had a strong career debut last weekend against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Indianapolis Colts rookie interior offensive lineman Tanor Bortolini held his own during his first career start this past Sunday, filling in for injured Pro Bowl veteran center Ryan Kelly:
.@Colts say hello to @TanorBortolini making his Colt debut. Nothing is too big for Bortolini. Impressive throughout @BigQ56 @BigDuke50 #OnWisconsin #BaldysBreakdowns pic.twitter.com/b5RsqENtN5
— Brian Baldinger (@BaldyNFL) September 30, 2024
Per PFF, Bortolini earned a +55.8 overall grade, including a +62.0 pass blocking grade.
Specifically, during 35 total pass blocking snaps, Bortolini allowed just 1 QB pressure during Week 4’s upset home victory against the vaunted Pittsburgh Steelers defense—which his allowed pressure rate (3%) was the 8th fewest among all rookie offensive linemen league-wide:
Lowest pressure rates allowed by rookie OLs in Week 4:
1. Dominick Puni, SF: 0% (29 pass block snaps, 0 pressures)
2. Cooper Beebe, DAL: 0% (28/0)
3. Jackson Powers-Johnson, LV: 0% (26/0)
4. Roger Rosengarten, BAL: 0% (20/0)
5. Brandon Coleman, WSH: 0% (18/0)
T-6. Mason… https://t.co/EB2uR0SLFq pic.twitter.com/2ZcDdcBuRV— The 33rd Team (@The33rdTeamFB) September 30, 2024
Colts rookie center Tanor Bortolini did a real nice job in his first career start v PIT.
1 pressure // 0 hurries // 0 sacks in 35 pass pro reps against a veteran front. pic.twitter.com/AkEHFzHRv6
— Ryan Fowler (@_RyanFowler_) September 30, 2024
When the Colts selected Bortolini with the 4th round of the 2024 NFL Draft, the initial thought was that the former All-Big Ten interior lineman out of Wisconsin could become the heir apparent to longtime veteran Ryan Kelly, who was entering a contract year this season.
Despite being a healthy inactive the past few weeks after battling an initial toe injury, the athletic ‘plug-and-play’ rookie interior offensive lineman showed some of that polish this past Sunday, particularly regarding his performance in pass protection.
Plus, the rugged rookie provided a lot of energy and enthusiasm onto the field during last weekend’s upset victory:
Tanor Bortolini is FIRED UP after the Colts TD pic.twitter.com/YM3s5DPigM
— NFL on CBS (@NFLonCBS) September 29, 2024
With Kelly carrying a $14.625M cap hit this season, turning 32 years old next May, and having dealt with some injuries the past few seasons (including a few concussions), the Colts could elect to go younger and cheaper at starting center and look to otherwise ‘spread the wealth’ to some of their younger pending free agents including starting right guard Will Fries (2025 free agent) and left tackle Bernhard Raimann (2026 respectively).
