Tag: bernhard raimann

Colts have drafted 26 Senior Bowl prospects since 2017

Every Senior Bowl prospect the Colts have drafted since 2017.

The Senior Bowl is an offseason mile-marker for every team in the NFL, signifying the official start of draft season. However, the Indianapolis Colts put a large significance on the week in Mobile, Alabama.

General manager Chris Ballard hasn’t been shy about his love affair with the Senior Bowl, often citing it as an event to find some diamonds in the rough. Several key players for the Colts were selected in the draft largely due to the Senior Bowl.

In fact, Ballard selected seven prospects from the Senior Bowl during the 2023 NFL draft, the highest number he’s selected in a single draft class during his tenure.

Since Ballard took over as general manager in 2017, the Colts have drafted 27 players who participated in the Senior Bowl and several more who signed with the team as undrafted free agents. We can and should expect the Colts to highly value the Senior Bowl as long as Ballard is around.

As the Senior Bowl takes place this week, here’s a look at every participant the Colts have drafted since Ballard’s tenure began in 2017:

Bernhard Raimann listed as Colts’ secret superstar

Pro Football Focus labeled Bernhard Raimann as the Colts’ secret superstar.

One of the more encouraging developments regarding the Indianapolis Colts’ season in 2023 was the growth shown by second-year left tackle Bernhard Raimann.

The former third-round pick built off a promising rookie campaign, developing into a cornerstone piece at one of the most vital positions on the entire roster.

Raimann was already named to Pro Football Focus’ All-Breakout Team earlier in the offseason, and they also listed him as the Colts’ secret superstar following the 2023 season.

Raimann showed some promise in his rookie season with the Colts but was held down by a poor offensive line around him – so those rookie growing pains were magnified. However, his ascension in his second season has been excellent. Raimann earned an 82.3 PFF grade — the seventh-highest among all tackles, while his 80.6 pass-blocking grade was eighth-highest.

With Anthony Richardson returning next season, Raimann’s status as one of the up-and-coming left tackles in the NFL will matter even more. He’ll have the task of protecting the Colts’ franchise quarterbacks blindside for the foreseeable future.

The Austria native allowed four sacks throughout the season, all four of which came against elite edge rushers Myles Garrett, Josh Allen and Trey Hendrickson twice. He also was regarded as one of the best run-blocking offensive tackles in the NFL, according to ESPN’s run-block win rate metric.

Though the offensive line, including Raimann, dealt with injuries throughout the 2023 season, he proved he can hold his own and more against some stiff competition on the blindside.

With another season under his belt, the Colts can once again rely on the strength of the left side of the offensive line as a catalyst for an offense that has a lot of potential in the immediate future.

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PFF ranks Colts offensive line among elite units

The Colts offensive line is back to being elite.

The Indianapolis Colts offensive line seems to have found its identity as a bullying unit once again, and Pro Football Focus placed them among the elites in their latest ranking.

Finalizing the offensive line rankings from the 2023 season, the Colts came in at No. 3 at the end of the campaign. They slotted in right behind the Philadelphia Eagles and Detroit Lions while sitting just ahead of the Atlanta Falcons.

3. INDIANAPOLIS COLTS

Best lineup:
LT Bernhard Raimann
LG Quenton Nelson
C Ryan Kelly
RG Will Fries
RT Braden Smith

Injuries to center Ryan Kelly and right tackle Braden Smith weakened this unit, but when the Colts played all five of their starting offensive linemen — like in the first half against the Texans in Week 18 — it was one of the best and most improved front fives in the NFL.

The Colts’ offensive line allowed just 15 sacks all season, the third fewest in the NFL.

Best player: Bernhard Raimann
Raimann was one of the breakout players of the 2023 NFL season, ranking fifth among left tackles in PFF overall grade (82.3).

After a few seasons of mediocre to poor play from the offensive line, the unit stepped it up big time during the first season under head coach Shane Steichen and new offensive line coach Tony Sparano Jr.

The latter deserves a lot of credit for turning the unit around from where they were just one year ago, and it helps that Quenton Nelson and Ryan Kelly found their forms as tone setters on the interior.

Though the starting unit only played a handful of games together due to injuries, they were stellar when they were on the field at the same time.

The breakout campaign from Bernhard Raimann proved the Colts may have a cornerstone piece at left tackle for the next handful of seasons while right tackle Braden Smith was a strong option despite an extensively injured season.

At right guard, Will Fries proved worthy of being a starting option. He may not have blown the doors off the opposition, but he certainly provided the Colts with enough value to be trusted upon at right guard.

Adding depth to the unit is the main priority considering the starting five will return in 2024 so there’s a solid chance they will be able to build upon the foundation they set in 2023.

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6 Colts who exceeded expectations in 2023

These Colts exceeded expectations in 2023.

The Indianapolis Colts were one win away from competing in the playoffs but instead find themselves sitting at home with the majority of the league preparing for the 2024 offseason.

Even though it was a decent surprise the Colts were in a position to compete for a playoff spot considering the amount of injuries along with the addition of a rookie head coach working with a backup quarterback, there were plenty of bright spots who helped get Indy to that position.

Here are six Colts who exceeded expectations during the 2023 season:

Colts’ best and worst PFF grades from 2023 season

Checking out the Colts’ best and worst PFF grades from 2023.

Following a surprisingly successful but simultaneously disappointing end to the 2023 season for the Indianapolis Colts, it’s time to take a look back at the top grades from the campaign that was.

Courtesy of Pro Football Focus, the Colts’ highest overall grade on either side of the ball belonged to right tackle Braden Smith, who posted an offensive grade of 83.3. On defense, edge rusher Samson Ebukam led the unit with an overall grade of 84.4. This is using 170 snaps played as the minimum requirement.

The worst grade on offense was owned by offensive tackle Blake Freeland, who finished his rookie season with a 44.2 grade. Defensive tackle Eric Johnson II finished the season with a 30.5 overall grade, the lowest of any player meeting the 170-snap threshold.

Now, a look at the best and worst overall PFF grades for the Colts in 2023:

Colts’ Bernhard Raimann featured on PFF’s All-Breakout Team

Bernhard Raimann enjoyed a strong breakout season.

Indianapolis Colts left tackle Bernhard Raimann enjoyed a strong second season in the NFL, earning a spot on Pro Football Focus’ All-Breakout Team for the 2023 season.

Raimann was a popular breakout candidate entering the season. Despite some struggles during his rookie campaign, he showed enough promise to warrant optimism going into Year 2.

Fast forward a calendar year later, and Raimann is now solidified as a cornerstone piece of the offensive line. Here’s what PFF said about Raimann:

OFFENSIVE TACKLE: BERNHARD RAIMANN, INDIANAPOLIS COLTS

We’ve gone through all the offensive skill position players before the preseason breakout list gets its first hit. Raimann was a raw prospect out of Central Michigan, having played offensive tackle for only a couple of years before becoming a third-round pick by the Colts.

He showed some promise as a rookie in 2022, as both his run- and pass-blocking grades came out above 70.0. He broke out in year two, finishing as the seventh-highest-graded tackle in the NFL (82.3). Raimann continued to be very well-rounded as a pass blocker and a run blocker, grading out at 80.6 and 74.6 in those fields, respectively. He allowed just four sacks all year, and they all came against elite pass rushers — Myles Garrett, Josh Allen and Trey Hendrickson twice.

Preseason Pick: Bernhard Raimann, Indianapolis Colts

The entire offensive line stepped up in a big way during the 2023 despite the fact that the starting five rarely played any snaps together due to injuries. But Raimann was solid in both phases. According to ESPN, the former third-round pick was tied with Braden Smith and Patrick Mekari for the seventh-highest run-block win rate among offensive tackles.

Adding some depth to the offensive line should be a priority this offseason, but Raimann proved to be a solid cornerstone piece at one of the most valuable positions on the roster.

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Colts’ Bernhard Raimann excelling in pass protection

Bernhard Raimann is enjoying a strong sophomore campaign.

Indianapolis Colts second-year left tackle Bernhard Raimann has enjoyed a strong first half of the season in 2023, especially in pass protection where he’s ranked among the top offensive tackles in the NFL.

Even though Raimann missed two games due to a concussion, he’s been a stalwart on the blindside. According to Pro Football Focus, Raimann’s pressure rate allowed (5%) is the best among all second-year offensive tackles.

The entire offensive line for the Colts has enjoyed a strong bounce-back season, especially the interior blockers. But Raimann has quietly put himself in the conversation as one of the better offensive tackles in the NFL midway through his second season.

It would have been nice to see what the offense would look like with Anthony Richardson under center behind the improved offensive line, but we will have to wait until 2024 for that.

Still, it’s encouraging to see Raimann excelling in pass protection, especially considering this is just his second season in the NFL.

As long as he continues to stack games, there should be plenty of optimism on the blindside for the Colts.

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Stock report from Colts’ 10-6 win over Patriots

Here’s the stock report from the Week 10 win.

The Indianapolis Colts (5-5) fought their way to a gritty 10-6 win over the New England Patriots (2-8) in Frankfurt, Germany.

Now entering the bye with an even record and riding two consecutive wins, the Colts will use the week off to regroup and rest before the home stretch of the season arrives.

Now, it’s time to take a look at how this game impacted the stock of a handful of players.

When taking stock of a player’s performance, it’s best to be fluid. A player’s stock will fall and rise throughout the season so none of this is set in stone. However, it is important to take note of the narratives and storylines taking place as the campaign progresses.

A player’s stock can be impacted by factors such as their performance or the type of snaps they receive during the games.

Here’s a look at the stock report for the Colts following the Week 10 win:

Colts’ Kwity Paye, Bernhard Raimann clear concussion protocol

Bernhard Raimann and Kwity Paye have cleared the concussion protocol.

Indianapolis Colts defensive end Kwity Paye and left tackle Bernhard Raimann cleared the league’s concussion protocol and were taken off the Week 6 injury report.

Paye started showing symptoms of a concussion following the Week 4 loss to the Los Angeles Rams. He was inactive for the Week 5 game against the Tennessee Titans but was able to progress through the protocol to be ready for this week’s game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Raimann suffered his concussion during practice leading up to the Week 4 game against the Rams. He was inactive for that game and was unable to clear the protocol in time for the game against the Titans.

However, he was able to pass through the protocol in order to be ready for the road game against the Jaguars.

Rookie Blake Freeland will slide over to right tackle on Sunday to replace Braden Smith, who will be inactive due to a hip injury he suffered during Thursday’s practice this week.

Meanwhile, tight end Mo Alie-Cox is questionable after logging a full practice Friday. He still needs to be cleared by the independent neurologist so we will likely get an update there on Saturday.

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Colts vs. Jaguars: Final injury report in Week 6

Here is the final injury report for the Colts and Jaguars in Week 6.

The Indianapolis Colts (3-2) and Jacksonville Jaguars (3-2) released their final injury reports Friday ahead of the Week 6 matchup at TIAA Bank Field.

Here’s a look at the final injury report for the Colts in Week 6:

*DNP = Did Not Participate — LP = Limited Participant — FP = Full Participant*

Colts Injury Report
Player Injury Wed 10/11 Thu 10/12 Fri 10/13 Status
TE Mo Alie-Cox Concussion DNP LP FP Questionable
T Braden Smith Foot/Wrist/Hip DNP LP DNP Out
LB Shaquille Leonard Groin FP FP FP —
DE Kwity Paye Concussion FP FP FP —
T Bernhard Raimann Concussion FP FP FP —
DT Grover Stewart Foot — — DNP —
C Ryan Kelly Ankle/Foot — — DNP Questionable
DT DeForest Buckner Back — — DNP —

Notes

  • TE Mo Alie-Cox seems to be progressing through the protocol at a quick rate but still needs to be cleared by the independent neurologist in order to be cleared.
  • RT Braden Smith picked up a hip injury during Thursday’s practice so rookie Blake Freeland will replace him at right tackle.
  • LB Shaquille Leonard will return after missing one game due to a groin injury.
  • Both DE Kwity Paye and LT Bernhard Raimann have both passed the concussion protocol and will play Sunday.
  • C Ryan Kelly was added to the injury report Friday but is expected to play.

Here’s a look at the final injury report for the Jaguars in Week 6:

Jaguars Injury Report
Player Injury Wed 10/11 Thu 10/12 Fri 10/13 Status
WR Zay Jones Knee DNP DNP DNP Out
OL Walker Little Knee DNP DNP DNP Out
CB Christian Braswell Hamstring LP LP DNP Out
LB Devin Lloyd Thumb LP LP LP Questionable
T Cam Robinson Elbow FP FP FP —
DE Dawuane Smoot Achilles FP FP FP —
DT DaVon Hamilton Back — LP LP Out

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