Top 5 Graded Colts From Week 5 Win Over Titans

The Indianapolis Colts had numerous offensive players grade highly in their win over the Tennessee Titans, but a defender takes the top spot.

The Indianapolis Colts (3-2) got their first win at home in almost a year as they took down the Tennessee Titans 23-16. The victory also breaks a five-game losing streak the Colts had with the Titans and keeps Indy tied atop the AFC South standings.

As the Colts got back into the win column, it took a gutsy performance from Gardner Minshew, Zack Moss, and the rest of the Colts' offense to get the victory. Pro Football Focus saw it that way as well, with four of the five highest-graded Colts being players on the offensive side of the ball. Let's look at the five players who graded out the highest for the Colts on Sunday and analyze their performances.

Note: Player must have played at least 25% of the snaps in order to be eligible.

1.) S Julian Blackmon - 90.9 Overall Grade

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The top five grades may be dominated by offensive players, but the top spot goes to the defender who sealed the game. Julian Blackmon continued his strong start to the 2023 campaign with five tackles, a pass deflection, and an interception.

Blackmon received a game-high 90.9 overall grade against the Titans. The safety posted an elite coverage grade of 91.1, by far the best on the team. His 82.2 tackling grade ranked first out of all Colts defenders on Sunday.

While the safeties have been a quiet group this season, Blackmon is having a solid season and providing juice in the secondary. The position change from free to strong safety has served the fourth-year player well.

2.) WR Josh Downs - 84.8 Overall Grade

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Josh Downs has been gradually ascending as one of the top weapons for the Colts offense. The rookie wide receiver seems to be improving with each game, and the stat line shows it. Downs had the best game of his young career on Sunday as he pulled in six catches for 97 yards, both team highs.

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The performance by Downs earned him the highest overall grade of any Colts player on offense, with an 84.8. He led the Colts in receiving grades as well at 83.1. Downs also got his hands dirty in the run game, scoring a 63.3 run blocking grade as the highest-graded wide receiver.

Downs is improving by the week, and the rookie is well on his way to establishing himself as one of the top receiving threats for the Colts.

3.) OT Braden Smith - 83.3 Overall Grade

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The highest-graded offensive lineman from a week ago finds himself atop the board again this week. Braden Smith continued to play solid ball against the Titans. Whether it was opening up holes for Moss in the run game or protecting the quarterbacks, Smith did it all on Sunday.

Smith finished with an overall grade of 83.3. His 87.9 run blocking grade was easily the best on the team in Week 5 as Smith mauled his matchups. Smith's 69.3 pass blocking grade ranked third on the Colts, as Smith gave up just one pressure and one hurry in 28 pass blocking snaps.

Smith is also a player getting better as the season goes along. Overall, Smith ranks as PFF's No.12 tackle in the NFL and does not look to be slowing down any time soon.

4.) TE Drew Ogletree - 80.6 Overall Grade

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In what is technically his rookie season after missing all of 2022 with a torn ACL, Drew Ogletree has been impressive at tight end for the Colts. Ogletree played a season-high 61% of the snaps on Sunday to lead the Colts' tight end group. He also brought in both of his targets for a modest 16 yards.

Ogletree posted an 80.6 overall grade against the Titans to lead the tight end group. Ogletree only posted a 66.0 receiving grade on Sunday, the sixth-best on the day for the Colts. However, Ogletree shined as a blocker, posting grades of 78.2 and 66.3 for run blocking and pass blocking, respectively.

The second-year tight end is making it difficult for the Colts' coaching staff to keep him off the field. The way Ogletree is playing, he might find himself in the starting lineup before the season is over.

5.) C Ryan Kelly - 78.2 Overall Grade

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Over the past couple of seasons, it had seemed that Ryan Kelly's best days were behind him. Struggles to stay healthy combined with poor play had made Kelly a liability at times on the offensive line. But 2023 has seen a resurgence for Kelly, as the veteran is currently PFF's top-rated center in the league.

Kelly continued his rebound 2023 season with a 78.2 overall grade in Sunday's win. His run blocking grade of 77.0 was third on the team as he led the way for Moss and Jonathan Taylor. Kelly led all Colts' offensive linemen with a 71.9 pass blocking grade on the way to allowing zero sacks, hurries, or pressures.

Kelly has been a major reason why the Colts' offensive line is playing so well this season. As long as Kelly continues to play at a high level, the Colts' offensive line should also continue to control the trenches.

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