Entering the second season under a new regime, the Indianapolis Colts offense is a unit that is expected to reload following a 2018 campaign that saw them as one of the most efficient groups in the league.
They’ve added more firepower to an offense that already was considered one of the best in the NFL, and the outlook for the 2019 season is burning bright. Which players, though, are set to make the most difference on the offensive side of the ball?
Here are the 11 most-important Colts on offense heading into the 2019 season:
No. 11: RB Marlon Mack
This isn’t to say that Mack isn’t important to the offense, because he is in a big way. However, the running back position is one that doesn’t hold a ton of value over other positions and players currently on the Colts offense.
The third-year running back is poised to have his best season yet. Behind a stout offensive line, all Mack really needs to do is stay healthy, which has been somewhat of a struggle throughout the first two seasons of his career. However, he showed plenty of improvement in Year 2 with his vision once he was finally over the nagging hamstring injury.
Mack’s importance to the offense is valuable because of the consistency he showed as a runner during the second half of the season in 2018 to go along with his abilities to bust off a big run at any moment. The Colts want to be top five in rushing this year, which means Mack’s value holds some weight.
No. 11 – No. 10 – No. 9 – No. 8 – No. 7 – No. 6 – No. 5 – No. 4 – No. 3 – No. 2 – No. 1
No. 10: RG Mark Glowinski
Spoiler alert: the entire starting offensive line will make this list. Glowinski emerged as the starting right guard just before the halfway point of the regular season in 2018 and wound up becoming one of the biggest surprises of the year.
He did so well both in protecting his quarterback and helping pave the way in the run game that the Colts offered him a three-year extension this offseason, which he gladly signed.
The entire offensive line is important, but each is valued differently. Glowinski holds a huge role working on the right side of the unit in his second season as a starter and will continue to provide the Colts with an important job in 2019.
No. 11 – No. 10 – No. 9 – No. 8 – No. 7 – No. 6 – No. 5 – No. 4 – No. 3 – No. 2 – No. 1
No. 9: TE Eric Ebron
Some might feel this is a bit low for Ebron, but in no way is this any shade toward the 26-year-old tight end. The former first-round pick emerged as the weapon the Colts envisioned when they signed him en route to a career-high in receptions (66), receiving yards (750) and receiving touchdowns (13).
Ebron is very important to the offense as a mismatch play against the secondary. While he hasn’t offered much as a blocker, Ebron is a valuable weapon used both in-line, in the slot or split out wide. He causes problems for opposing defenses because he’s too fast and athletic for most linebackers in coverage while being far too big of a target for safeties and cornerbacks.
Ebron’s electricity on the field and in the locker room should not be understated. He plays a huge role in getting the offense hyped up each drive and should be considered one of the bigger voices in the room. Ebron can show his importance once again during a contract year in 2019.
No. 11 – No. 10 – No. 9 – No. 8 – No. 7 – No. 6 – No. 5 – No. 4 – No. 3 – No. 2 – No. 1
No. 8: RT Braden Smith
The Colts offensive line might be the most important unit for the entire offense in 2019, and the second-year right tackle in Smith has a chance to cement himself as the long-term starter at the position following a superb rookie campaign.
Despite being selected in the second round of the 2018 draft as a guard, the Colts were forced to kick Smith to protect the edge in the Week 5 prime time matchup with the New England Patriots. It was then the Colts decided to give him his shot at the starting role in the offense, of which he never relinquished.
Smith enters a huge year in terms of development in Year 2 and if he can continue to improve his technique and punch consistency, the entire unit will improve. That’s a scary thought for those not under the Colts umbrella.
No. 11 – No. 10 – No. 9 – No. 8 – No. 7 – No. 6 – No. 5 – No. 4 – No. 3 – No. 2 – No. 1
No. 7: TE Jack Doyle
The Colts may have had one of the best tight end rooms in the NFL during the 2018 season, but they had to go through the majority of it without its most complete player in the veteran Doyle.
Entering a contract year, Doyle won’t be able to step on the field until training camp as he rehabs from hip surgery. The 29-year-old is one of the most important players on the offensive side of the ball given his abilities as a run blocker while also being a reliable target in the short passing game.
Doyle is one of Andrew Luck’s favorite targets when healthy, and he’s able to allow the offense to do so much more when he’s on the field. Don’t underestimate his importance to the team, because the Colts won’t.
No. 11 – No. 10 – No. 9 – No. 8 – No. 7 – No. 6 – No. 5 – No. 4 – No. 3 – No. 2 – No. 1
No. 6: LG Quenton Nelson
Another player that most likely feel is more important than where he’s placed, Nelson enters his second season as the starting left guard following a rookie campaign that saw him earn both a Pro Bowl and First-Team All-Pro selection.
Nelson played every single snap on the offensive side of the ball —the only player to do so — and is one of the tone-setters up front. He’s incredible in the run game and showed immense promise as a pass blocker. Aside from some technique refinement, Nelson should be considered a perennial All-Pro candidate each season.
Finding a replacement for Nelson’s talent on the field coupled with his demeanor is near impossible, and he’ll continue to be one of the most important players on the field for the Colts.
No. 11 – No. 10 – No. 9 – No. 8 – No. 7 – No. 6 – No. 5 – No. 4 – No. 3 – No. 2 – No. 1
No. 5: LT Anthony Castonzo
There is a valid argument that Castonzo should be lower on the list, but he proved in 2018 that he’s a vital piece in making sure the entire offense runs smoothly. His return in Week 6 was when the Colts offensive line truly began making strides en route to being one of the best units in football, seemingly overnight.
The veteran Castonzo is entering the final year of his current contract. Whether the Colts will bring him back on a short extension remains to be seen, but he’s extremely important to the offense. He’s one of Andrew Luck’s closest friends and has been protecting the latter’s blindside since 2012.
Along with that, the Colts don’t have a bonafide replacement for Castonzo on the roster. Le’Raven Clark is the one that will step in if needed, and there is a considerable drop off in talent and leadership. Needless to say, Castonzo is one of the most important Colts on offense in 2019.
No. 11 – No. 10 – No. 9 – No. 8 – No. 7 – No. 6 – No. 5 – No. 4 – No. 3 – No. 2 – No. 1
No. 4: WR T.Y. Hilton
The Ghost had to be near the top of the list. He’s been one of the most explosive wide receivers in the game since entering the league and proved in 2018 that he can make a major impact even through injuries.
Hilton is coming off of one of his best seasons, and will once again hold a major role in the offense. In a wide receiver corps that will be under heavy competition, the 29-year-old is the only one that has a solidified role in the room as its leader.
Outside of Hilton, the Colts didn’t get much out of their wide receivers in 2018. The group should be improved with the addition of some new faces, but the four-time Pro Bowler is one of the offense’s most important players given his abilities and leadership qualities.
No. 11 – No. 10 – No. 9 – No. 8 – No. 7 – No. 6 – No. 5 – No. 4 – No. 3 – No. 2 – No. 1
No. 3: C Ryan Kelly
There aren’t many players more important to the offense than the anchor of the front line. That job has fallen on the shoulders of Kelly since he was selected in the first round of the 2016 draft. His importance to the unit has only grown since then.
Kelly bounced back in 2018 performance wise, putting together a Pro Bowl caliber season leading the Colts offensive line. However, injuries kept him from reaching his full potential and have done so for the past two seasons. Regardless, his impact on the offense is incredible both in run blocking and pass protection but more so in the former.
Kelly enters a huge season after the Colts exercised his fifth-year option, and his value to the offense continues to climb with the Pro-Bowl caliber play he provides each week.
No. 11 – No. 10 – No. 9 – No. 8 – No. 7 – No. 6 – No. 5 – No. 4 – No. 3 – No. 2 – No. 1
No. 2: HC Frank Reich
The play-caller is just as important as the players on the field executing the concepts. Reich proved to be a nice breath of fresh air for Colts fans after having to watch a bland offense take the field under the previous regime.
The importance of Reich to the offense is almost unfair. He’s the leader in the locker room and the head coach, but his ability to get his players to buy into a scheme of being unselfish is no easy task. Yet, he did it without any hiccups during his first season.
Reich’s leadership and intelligence will be reasons why the Colts can thrive offensively, regardless of the personnel, and the second-year head coach remains arguably the most important person on that side of the ball in 2019.
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No. 1: QB Andrew Luck
There isn’t much more to say about the importance Luck has on the entire offense, nay the entire team. He’s the captain leading the charge on the field and should be considered the most important player on either side of the ball for the Colts.
The front office added some new pieces around him this offseason and following his most efficient campaign in 2018, Luck will be looking to enter the MVP race with supreme confidence.
There are some contenders for the top spot, but no one is as important as Luck to the offense’s success in 2019.
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