“Indianapolis Colts Face Unthinkable Heartbreak, Miss Playoffs After Unprecedented Late-Game Meltdown in Shocking Season
The Indianapolis Colts are coming into the 2025 NFL season on unstable ground, with rumors swirling about their front office, coaching staff, and quarterback. What they desperately need is consistency, and few positions can provide that better than the offensive line.
In Bucky Brooks’ most recent NFL Mock Draft, the Colts select Alabama offensive guard Tyler Booker with the 14th pick of the first round, hoping to shore up the issues that Indy’s interior offensive line had last season. In this scenario, Booker could be the linchpin to a line that has loads of potential but struggled to maximize it last season.
In 2024, the Colts had an offensive line with star power but a severe hole at the right guard position. Left tackle Bernhard Raimann and left guard Quenton Nelson were both rated as top 10 players at their respective positions by PFF last season, and rookie center Tanor Bortolini had glimpses of high-quality play when he filled in for veteran center Ryan Kelly.
The problem was sixth-round rookie Dalton Tucker, who struggled mightily most of the season. Tucker was ranked 114th out of 135 guards as a run blocker last season, according to PFF. In this mock, the Colts hope to turn the right guard position from a weakness to a strength behind Booker.
At six-foot-four and 321 pounds, Booker has the body type to help the Colts operate their zone-heavy rushing attack and drain the life out of defenses. With the blazing speed of quarterback Anthony Richardson and running back Jonathan Taylor, all that’s needed is a sliver of daylight to break off a long run. Should Daniel Jones win the starting QB job, his rushing abilities would also benefit from a bolstered offensive line.
Booker can help give them that opening and put that ability on display against LSU this past season. Here’s a cutup of some of his best plays that night:
In the passing game, Booker features a strong anchor and great hands that help him latch onto defenders and can give Richardson or Jones more time in the pocket.
More time is what Richardson desperately needs considering his struggles seeing the field last season. With Booker, Richardson may feel more comfortable getting through his reads and making the right throw.
In the passing game, Booker features a strong anchor and great hands that help him latch onto defenders and can give Richardson or Jones more time in the pocket.
More time is what Richardson desperately needs considering his struggles seeing the field last season. With Booker, Richardson may feel more comfortable getting through his reads and making the right throw.
This cutup from Booker’s 2023 season puts his pass-blocking abilities on clear display, stonewalling high-level players such as Michigan’s Mason Graham and the Tennessee Titans’ T’Vondre Sweat.
The world saw Richardson’s struggle often last year, but his potential is too high for the Colts to decide not to protect him with their first pick in this year’s draft. Drafting Tyler Booker will give Richardson the chance to prove his worth this upcoming season.
