Who is the most underappreciated player on the Indianapolis Colts’ 2026 roster? NFL.com’s Gennaro Filice recently made that determination for all 32 teams.
When it came to the Colts, Filice selected center Tanor Bortolini, who stepped into the starting role last season after Indianapolis moved on from Ryan Kelly.
Over 566 pass-blocking snaps, he did not allow a single sack last season. Among all centers, he ranked 16th in pass-blocking efficiency and third in PFF’s run-blocking grade.
“All in all,’ ‘Bort’ established himself as an anchor in the middle of Indianapolis’ stout offensive line,” wrote Filice.
Not to be overlooked either, when discussing the center position is all the work that comes pre-snap with setting protections and communicating adjustments based on what the defense is showing, which Bortolini also handled quite well.
Bortolini’s ability to operate in space was key to his success and helped to elevate the offense as a whole.
“Some of the things that we’ve done in the run game with him – getting him out, pulling him, getting up to the second level defenders, has been a big part of our offense,” Steichen said last season, via the Indy Star. “(Bortolini) out in space has been tremendous. He can move really well for an offensive lineman, and he understands leverage of the defense and where he needs to get.”
This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: Colts’ OL named team’s ‘most underappreciated’ player in 2026
Reporting by Paul Bretl, Colts Wire / Colts Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
