The Colts offensive line will feature two new starters, one of which will become the first starting center in the Ballard era not named Ryan Kelly.
Indianapolis, IN — The Indianapolis Colts enter the 2025-26 season with a new look starting offensive line. The big three of Quenton Nelson, Bernhard Raimann, and Braden Smith provide some much-needed continuity while projected first-time starters on the interior in Tanor Bortolini and Matt Goncalves are slated to complete the unit.
This is the first time in the Chris Ballard era that the Indianapolis Colts won’t have longtime center Ryan Kelly manning the charge. Although it is expected that the offensive line’s play takes a step back from recent years, Colts OL Coach Tony Sparano Jr. and Co. have expressed great faith in the sophomore pair to take the collective mantle on the interior.
While Bortolini and Goncalves are projected as the next starters at center and right guard, training camp and preseason will be the official determinants of whether or not this comes to be true.
Projected Starters
Bernhard Raimann, Quenton Nelson, Tanor Bortolini, Matt Goncalves, Braden Smith
Quenton Nelson’s name alone is enough of an introduction. A five-time All-Pro and a Pro Bowler every season of his career, Nelson remains one of the most valuable offensive linemen in the league. Not only that, but no guard in the NFL means as much to its team as Quenton Nelson does to the Indianapolis Colts. The Colts’ offense goes as far as Nelson will take them, which has proven to be impressively far at times, given the overall roster dysfunction of recent years.
The Colts’ starting bookend tackles are both talented, yet are on different paths at this stage in their respective careers. Bernhard Raimann continues to be an ascending player at left tackle, while longtime Colt Braden Smith has seemingly entered a descent of sorts. Smith has not played a full season since 2022, though his five missed games in 2024 were due to a life-threatening case of OCD that he has since overcome. Regardless, his availability remains to be seen, and his overall play has since dipped in recent years. On the other hand, Bernhard Raimann has continued his ascent as one of the better blindside protectors in the NFL. Going into the last year of his rookie contract, an extension needs to come sooner rather than later.
Losing the interior duo of recent years in Ryan Kelly and Will Fries is certainly a big loss, especially for continuity’s sake. However, the Colts had planned for this succession plan in advance. Drafting both in the 2024 NFL Draft, the Colts viewed Tanor Bortolini (C) and Matt Goncalves (RG) as the next men up due to Kelly and Fries having one year left on their previous contracts. After a handful of spot starts as rookies, Tony Sparano Jr. and Co. have faith in these two taking the torch as first-time starters in just their second season.
Backups/Rotational
Jalen Travis, Blake Freeland, Danny Pinter, Dalton Tucker
Jalen Travis is a 4th-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft who is slated for a battle with Blake Freeland for the team’s swing tackle role. Travis is a highly regarded pass protector out of college who utilizes his quick feet and high football IQ to maximize his efforts, whereas Freeland’s progression through two seasons thus far has been up and down. Freeland lost his role to then-rookie tackle Matt Goncalves in 2024 but is looking to rebound in year three by reclaiming his spot on the depth chart.
Interior offensive linemen Danny Pinter and Dalton Tucker offer solid floors as backups heading into training camp. Tucker shone bright during his first preseason as an undrafted free agent rookie in 2024, and even flashed during spot play early in the regular season once Will Fries went down with injury, but his play grew inconsistent down the stretch and was ultimatley replace by a late add to the roster by way of former Colts’ starter in Mark Glowinski. Pinter enters the season as the team’s de facto backup center and has proven to be capable during his various stints in the league thus far.
Fringe Active Roster/Practice Squad
Josh Sills, Wesley French, Luke Tenuta, Jack Wilson, Marshall Foerner, Mose Vavao
Interior offensive linemen Josh Sills and Wesley French have been mainstay members of the Colts’ practice squad in recent years. Sills has showcased his versatility across the offensive line, whereas French has essentially been relegated to the team’s practice squad center.
Jack Wilson is an interesting case study given that he is the tallest player in the NFL. Standing at 6’11” tall and making DeForest Buckner look human in a locker room, Wilson’s unmatched size is enough to bet on his potential. Same goes for Luke Tenuta, who, not quite as large as Wilson, is a mammoth of a man at 6’9”, and offers upside as a potential practice squad tackle.
Marshall Foerner and Mose Vavao are post-draft adds that offer a surplus of experience at the collegiate level. Foerner is an offensive tackle who had 42 career starts at the D2 level (Minnesota State), while Vavao is a top-tier athlete with vast experience across the interior, logging 54 starts at center and both guard spots at Fresno State.
