3 Colts Players Who Need to Improve for the Offense in 2023

The Indianapolis Colts are approaching the 2023 regular season with a new look and players who need to step up from the previous year to help the offense.

Last season featured an Indianapolis Colts roster that was a shell of its 2021 self. After tearing apart defenses with a brutal running attack and high-level blocking, the Colts’ offense and protection disintegrated in 2022.

Now with last season in the past, the Colts are looking to the future of the offense with young coaches (head coach Shane Steichen, offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter, quarterbacks coach Cam Turner) and rookie players (quarterback Anthony Richardson, wide receiver Josh Downs, running back Evan Hull).

With this being the case, there will need to be better play from veterans and more established names. In this piece, there will be three offensive players that are going to have to show out and be better than they were last season for this new offense to hit the ground running; or to stay with the franchise for the foreseeable future.

Ryan Kelly – Center

© Mykal McEldowney/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK

Ryan Kelly has been on the Colts roster since he was drafted in 2016. The seven-year pro has also snagged a second-team All-Pro nomination (2020) and three Pro Bowls (2019-2021). However, 2022 was a season where Kelly fell off a cliff with blocking efficiency.

According to Pro Football Focus, Kelly was mediocre to average with his blocking grades across the board. Below is a brief rundown, along with where he placed out of the Colts’ offensive linemen (eight total):

• Overall Offensive Blocking Grade: 64.3 (Fourth)
• Run-Blocking Grade: 64.3 (Fifth)
• Pass-Blocking Grade: 64.8 (Fourth)

Kelly would also allow five sacks, putting him tied with left guard Quenton Nelson for fourth most out of the offensive lineman.

Now, the above 2022 grades aren’t too impressive but are better than Kelly’s 2021 marks (Overall 56.9, Run-Blocking 58.1, and Pass-Blocking 57.2). This is an improvement from a year when the protection was dominant, but Kelly struggled alone.

Look for Kelly to play with a chip on his shoulder in 2023.

The offseason had question marks surrounding the veteran center and stories of potential trade destinations for the lineman. Kelly will have quite a bit to prove based on his efficiency over the past two seasons but has a chance to shine with a new coach, offensive system, and quarterback in the building.

Will Fries – Right Guard

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2022 was a weird season for the right guard position. However, after much speculation, it seems that the Colts are higher on Will Fries than previously believed.

He was the player that took the most snaps at right guard last year and played with tenacity in the ground game. Run blocking was an area where Fries didn’t seem to struggle. However, it was pass-blocking that revealed his weakness.

Last year, Fries ranked sixth out of eight on the team in pass-blocking performance grade of 44.4. This is bad, to be honest and direct, but Fries was around utter chaos last season, and, so far in 2023, training camp has shown improvements and better patience.

Could the reason that Indianapolis hasn’t signed a veteran right guard be that they believe Fries can hold down the position? Possibly.

One thing is for certain; Indianapolis can’t have the revolving door at this position with Richardson under center as the quarterback adjusts to the NFL.

Mo Alie-Cox – Tight End

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The veteran of the Colts’ tight end group, Mo Alie-Cox has worn the horseshoe since 2017 when he was picked up by Indianapolis out of Virginia Commonwealth.

Alie-Cox is a monstrous human, standing 6’5" and weighing around 270 pounds. This is an athlete that Indy had high hopes for.

Fast-track to 2023, and Alie-Cox has six seasons under his belt but only 89 catches for 1,125 yards and 11 touchdowns. Even with Alie-Cox struggling in the receiving game, he was also relied upon to be a stronger blocker. However, he would display below-average grades for run support and overall performance, posting an abysmal 48.2 overall blocking grade and a 49.3 run-blocking mark.

Despite the rocky numbers, Indianapolis felt Alie-Cox deserved a three-year, $17.55 million deal in 2022, per Spotrac.

This contract goes through until 2025, but Alie-Cox, along with the aforementioned Kelly, was the talk of trade rumors during the offseason. However, Indianapolis still has him on the roster to support projected starter Jelani Woods.

Alie-Cox still has a chance to show his contract’s worth in 2023. Steichen made it work with the Philadelphia Eagles tight end Dallas Goedert. Could Steichen make it work with Alie-Cox too? It could be the veteran tight end’s last chance to prove he belongs in a highly-competitive position group.

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