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Let’s take a closer look at this Indianapolis Colts team as we go player-by-player through the roster. Up next is OL Tanor Bortolini.
With offseason programs now behind us, we will be getting a jump start on our training camp preview by going player-by-player through the Indianapolis Colts’ 91-man roster.
Going alphabetically, up next is center Tanor Bortolini.
Tanor Bortolini’s profile
- Height: 6-4
- Weight: 303
- Age: 23
- NFL experience: One season
- College: Wisconsin
- No. 60
2024 Snap count totals
- Offense: 351
- Special teams: 28
2024 PFF grades
- Offense: 65.1
- Special teams: 62.0
2024 Season Review
A fourth-round pick by the Colts in the 2024 NFL draft, Bortolini was primarily a backup at center behind veteran Ryan Kelly. However, due to Kelly navigating injuries, Bortolini would end up making five starts at center as a rookie and appeared in eight games in total.
When called upon, Bortolini would very much hold his own. According to PFF’s metrics, Bortolini ranked 15th in pass-blocking efficiency metric and was 22nd out of 40 centers in run-blocking grade.
“I saw a young player that got better each time he went out there,” offensive line coach Tony Sparano Jr. said. “The game wasn’t too big for him. Athletically, he has a ton to offer in terms of what he’s able to do on the move, in terms of how he’s able to mirror people in pass protection.”
Looking ahead to the 2025 season
With Kelly departing in free agency, the Colts’ starting center job is now up for grabs. Presumably, Bortolini will secure that playing time, but he is still competing with veteran Danny Pinter. As we saw during offseason programs, Pinter had some first-team reps at center as well.
While there is a lot to like about what Bortolini showcased last season, he is still relatively inexperienced at a position where a lot is asked of that player. This starts pre-snap with calling out initial protections, making any adjustments as needed, and then communicating all of that to the rest of the offense.
Then, once the ball is snapped, a lot is asked of the center in Shane Steichen’s offense from a blocking perspective, especially in the running game.
Now, this isn’t to say that Bortolini can’t handle those duties, I think last season showed that he can. But the point is that there may still be a learning curve that he has to navigate.
“Very smart player for his age, too — a rookie — with the amount that the center has to handle in this league, really poised player,” Sparano said of Bortolini.
“He’s got a unique ability — he can really get himself into some good spots in the run game, fit in with great leverage and combinations, get underneath defenders and really create angles for him to create movement, which is unique. And then really does a good job maximizing his length and his quickness in pass protection.”
#closer #Tanor #Bortolini
