The Indianapolis Colts took a step back in their progression during the 2019 season, but that doesn’t mean it was a complete wash. There were still some bright spots on both sides of the ball for Indy.
As the 2019 season continues to get pushed back further in the mind of the Colts and the fanbase, there are still some reviews going on before free agency hits in roughly a month.
Pro Football Focus took a look at ranking the top 101 players from the 2019 season, in which the Colts had five players featured. Here’s a look:
11. G QUENTON NELSON, INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
“The one offensive lineman who brings everybody together, Quenton Nelson is a force in all areas of the game and a real tone-setter for the Colts’ offensive line, as intangible as that is. On a more tangible level, he didn’t surrender a sack all season despite blocking for a quarterback who makes that tougher than others do, and he was the second-best run-blocking guard in the NFL, one of just two to surpass a PFF grade of 90.0 in that area. Overall, Nelson ran Brandon Brooks close for the best-grade among guards, ending the year at 91.2 overall from over 1,000 snaps of action.” – Pro Football Focus
71. T ANTHONY CASTONZO, INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
“There have been few players as consistent as Anthony Castonzo over the majority of his career. Every one of the past eight seasons has seen him end the year with an overall PFF grade somewhere between 76.0 and 85.0, and this season he ended with a grade of 81.3. He allowed three sacks and 34 total pressures but was pass blocking for a quarterback who holds the ball longer than he should at times and stresses his pass protection.” – Pro Football Focus
92. T BRADEN SMITH, INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
“The Indianapolis Colts have assembled one of the best offensive lines in football, and it’s largely due to hitting on young players, among them right tackle Braden Smith. A far less heralded draft pick than Quenton Nelson, and even Ryan Kelly at center, Smith has been impressive since entering the NFL nonetheless. He was at his best as a run blocker, dominating on the ground in most games, and while pass blocking was a weaker area, he was dealing with a quarterback who stresses pass protection more than most, and he still had solid grades in that area despite surrendering some pressure.” – Pro Football Focus
100. LB DARIUS LEONARD, INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
“Darius Leonard opens his NFL career with back-to-back appearances on the PFF Top 101, backing up his remarkable rookie season with another good year, albeit a slightly lower overall PFF grade. Leonard had five interceptions this season and allowed a passer rating under 80.0 when targeted, around 25 points lower than the average passer rating when targeting linebackers at the NFL level. He proved that his rookie season was no fluke with an excellent sophomore year.” – Pro Football Focus
101. EDGE JUSTIN HOUSTON, INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
“Justin Houston had dealt with so many injuries in Kansas City that the team ultimately decided to move on, but in his first year with the Colts, he proved he can still get after the quarterback. The Colts wisely kept him on something of a pitch count over the season, and he totaled just 674 snaps over the year, most of which came as a pass-rusher, and he responded with 60 total pressures, the highest figure he has notched since the 2015 campaign.” – Pro Football Focus
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