Which of the Indianapolis Colts’ offensive linemen should be considered the top contender for the NFL’s new Protector of the Year award?
Which of the Indianapolis Colts’ offensive linemen should be considered the top contender for the NFL’s new Protector of the Year award?
It was reported last week that the NFL will be unveiling a new end-of-season award to go along with MVP and the other high-profile awards. The Protector of the Year will recognize the best offensive lineman each season and will be decided by a panel that features a number of former offensive linemen greats.
Pro Football Network recently selected the top Protector of the Year candidate from each team and then ranked those players in terms of likelihood to win the inaugural award in 2025.
For the Colts, the choice was pretty straightforward with PFN selecting Quenton Nelson, who was 12th overall in their rankings.
“Nelson has been a Pro Bowler seven times (2018-24), while racking up five All-Pro nods along the way,” wrote PFN. “He figures to be a strong contender for Protector of the Year and the anchor of the Indianapolis Colts’ offense in 2025.”
In this most recent 2024 season, Nelson made his seventh consecutive Pro Bowl team and was also named a second-team All-Pro–his first All-Pro nod since the 2021 season.
By PFF’s metrics, Nelson ranked 15th among all guards in pass-blocking efficiency, and he was fourth in run-blocking grade, with Jonathan Taylor averaging 4.8 yards per rush when running to Nelson’s direct left and 5.3 yards per rush when running to his direct right.
At the top of PFN’s rankings were Penei Sewell at No. 1, followed by Tristan Wirfs, Jordan Mailata, Creed Humphrey, and Trent Williams.
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