The Colts’ offensive line bubble is already turning into a math problem, and the first preseason game didn’t exactly make it simpler.
Indianapolis’ unofficial depth chart has Dalton Tucker and rookie Jalen Farmer listed as the second-string guards, with Josh Sills behind Tucker at left guard. At tackle, Blake Freeland and Luke Tenuta are the backups on the left and right sides. But after watching the first preseason outing, the picture looks a little different.
Sills and Freeland stood out as the two reserve linemen who looked most ready to hold down roster spots. The rest of the competition appears to be tightening around Tucker, Tenuta, Farmer and center Jimmy Morrissey.
Chris Ballard likely wants to see Farmer claim a place, and the final call may end up depending on whether Shane Steichen trusts Tucker enough to cover center in a pinch.
That said, nobody should go overboard with conclusions from one preseason game, especially with the Colts facing Patriots second- and third-team players. Even so, some things were hard to miss.
On pass protection, Sills and Freeland on the right side held up about as well as Tenuta and either Dalton or Farmer on the left. The difference came in the run game, where Sills and Freeland were clearly stronger. They were consistently driving Patriot backups backward.
Freeland’s showing wasn’t a shock. He handled himself reasonably well when forced into action as a rookie and might have locked down the swing tackle job last year if not for the injury that opened the door for Jalen Travis, who then made the leap as a rookie. Now Freeland is the starting right tackle, replacing longtime starter Braden Smith, and his return to health is a good sign for the Colts.
Sills is the more interesting case. He’s a massive, physical blocker, but he has never really established himself in the NFL.
At 28, his chances to make a real imprint are getting thinner. Against New England, though, he looked the part.
He gave up a pressure or two, but he was never cleanly beaten in pass protection, and in the run game he looked like a true road grader.
The left side wasn’t nearly as imposing. Tenuta’s length helps him on passing snaps, but that same trait may not serve him as well when the Colts try to move people in the run game. Farmer flashed some encouraging movement, though he still looks like a player who needs more experience.
At this point, the Colts probably know what Tucker is. He’s not going to overwhelm anybody, but he brings veteran stability, and if he can prove he can handle center, that might be enough.
After the starters, Farmer is starting to look safe, and so does the winner of the Freeland-Tenuta battle for swing tackle. In fact, both could make it. Tackle depth is always valuable, and Tenuta’s knee injury against the Patriots could have a major effect on that fight.
Sills would also get my nod based on this game, though the numbers may force a tougher decision. One of Tucker or Morrissey needs to stick as the backup center, and if both of them can also work at guard, that raises the question of whether there’s room for three reserve interior linemen.
For now, the Colts have a strong starting five and were relatively healthy last season. After one preseason game, the likeliest keeps are Freeland, Farmer, Sills, and whichever of Tucker or Morrissey proves more steady at center.
There is still one wrinkle that would make all of this easier: if Sills or Farmer can handle emergency tackle duties. Both have the size, length and power to do it.
Sills, in his first year at Oklahoma State after three years at West Virginia, even logged time at both right and left tackle. Ideally, Indianapolis is giving him work there for exactly that kind of emergency.
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